Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
Total graduates
151
2025 · 18 schools
International share
0.0%
0 international students
Bachelor's degrees
90
0.0% international
Master's degrees
2
0.0% international
Overview
Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services is a specialized field that focuses on the legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms governing the protection and management of natural resources and the environment. This discipline combines elements of law, environmental science, and public policy to equip students with the skills necessary to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to enforce laws aimed at preserving natural ecosystems.
Students in this program learn about various aspects of environmental law, including regulations related to air and water quality, wildlife conservation, land use, and hazardous waste management. The curriculum often includes training in investigative techniques, law enforcement practices, and the ethical considerations surrounding environmental protection.
Graduates of this program are prepared for careers in various sectors, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private industry. They may work as environmental enforcement officers, compliance specialists, or policy analysts, focusing on ensuring that individuals and organizations adhere to environmental laws and practices.
The importance of this field has grown in response to increasing environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. As such, professionals in Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services play a crucial role in safeguarding natural resources, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring that legal standards are upheld to protect the environment for future generations. This field not only addresses legal issues but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainability and ecological integrity.
Graduates by year
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
From 2010 to 2025, graduates grew 190% and the international share went from 0.0% to 0.0%.
Colleges that award this degree
In 2025, 18 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.
| Rank | School | State | Graduates | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #186 | Texas Tech University | Texas | 8 | 0 |
| #250 | South Dakota State University | South Dakota | 16 | 0 |
| #382 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Oklahoma | 20 | 0 |
| — | Hocking College | Ohio | 25 | 0 |
| — | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Wisconsin | 25 | 0 |
| — | Unity Environmental University | Maine | 13 | 0 |
| — | Minnesota North College | Minnesota | 12 | 0 |
| — | Central Maine Community College | Maine | 7 | 0 |
| — | Thomas College | Maine | 5 | 0 |
| — | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Minnesota | 5 | 0 |
| — | Red Rocks Community College | Colorado | 4 | 0 |
| — | Colorado Northwestern Community College | Colorado | 2 | 0 |
| — | Finger Lakes Community College | New York | 2 | 0 |
| — | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus | Puerto Rico | 2 | 0 |
| — | Mount Mercy University | Iowa | 1 | 0 |
| — | Mount Aloysius College | Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 |
| — | Northwest College | Wyoming | 1 | 0 |
| — | Husson University | Maine | 1 | 0 |
Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.
Related jobs and pay
| Occupation | US employment | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | 670,520 | $38.08 | $79,200 |
| Compliance Officers | 417,070 | $42.50 | $88,400 |
| Firefighters | 345,990 | $30.59 | $63,630 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | 157,550 | $16.57 | $34,470 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 154,610 | $53.94 | $112,190 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 114,430 | $47.80 | $99,430 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | 99,140 | $46.60 | $96,930 |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | 13,150 | — | $87,550 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | 5,770 | $36.03 | $74,950 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | 2,780 | $32.04 | $66,640 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2010–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.