So Whats Available for an Online Wildlife Biology Degree?

You might have to search far and wide to find an institution that offers an online wildlife biology degree. But that's okay because on the Internet, "far and wide" is as narrow as your computer screen.

And what better way is there to get an exclusive degree that is not offered at every Tom, Dick, and Jerry state or private college than on the Internet. You don't have to move except maybe to the next room or the coffee shop. Or if you are fortunate enough, to the next mountain top.

And what beats studying about something that you absolutely love and then making a career out of it. Even if you love math, a career in math just isn't the same as observing a herd of caribou on the side of the mountain summit. Or studying why the Asian Carp is haunting the Great Lakes. There's just so much life in wildlife.

So What Exactly is Online?
In turns out, there are not many online degrees from state universities in wildlife biology. In fact, a current search for online wildlife biology degree programs online turned up only one option. Oregon State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife. The specific purpose of this program is to teach about conservation. You can also pursue a Fisheries and Wildlife minor to accompany any other major that Oregon State offers.

Alternatives for You
If the Oregon State University Fisheries and Wildlife program is not the online wildlife biology degree you were looking for, there are some other options you can consider.

Associate Route
The first option I call the associate route because it involves getting an associate degree online and then transferring to a school that offers a Wildlife Biology degree on campus. This could be advantageous as schools offering this degree are often in a setting closely associated with wildlife. This facilitates hands-on learning as well as potential internship or co-op opportunities.

Bachelor Route
Another similar alternative would be to take as many courses leading to a bachelor's degree at an online university, and then transferring to a school offering the on-campus Wildlife Biology degree. You would need to carefully monitor the classes you choose so you can be sure that they will transfer. And more importantly, you would need to be clear on the residency requirements of the school with the Wildlife biology degree. This means you would need to find out how many credits need to be taken at that institution. For example, a school might require that the last 30 credits of your education be taken at their school. Or maybe all upper level program courses need to be taken at their school.

In either of these cases, you should consult with an advisor at each school and maybe even meet with them simultaneously.

Keep the Faith
Keep in mind that as many schools recognize the benefit of online educational offerings, other programs could become available. While you are fulfilling your general coursework, keep an eye on the schools that offer the program you wish to complete. You never know, they could eventually offer an online wildlife biology degree. Many schools start off by offering a few classes online before they have the entire program online. Again, it really pays to keep contact with advisors who may know if this will happen and can advise you which classes to take at which school.

Are you pursuing an online wildlife biology degree? Do you have advice for others that want to stay online with their education?