Be ready for a rewarding career in conservation enforcement.
Through a proven blend of classroom theory, lab exercises and outdoor excursions, you’ll develop the skills needed to deal with problem wildlife, investigate violations, enforce resource laws and more. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and first-hand experience in natural and physical sciences and resource law enforcement to not only conserve the planet but sustain your future.
Grab and Go Information
Why should you study Conservation Enforcement at Lethbridge Polytechnic?
Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science program is the only degree of its kind in Canada. You’ll learn from industry experts and have several opportunities to put theory into practice out in the field. In fact, your entire fourth year of the program will be spent off-campus as you complete directed field studies working in lakes, rivers, fields and mountains. And, about 50 per cent of program graduates have a related job before they finish the degree.
1st program
of its kind to be offered in Canada
61 Districts
in Alberta where fish and wildlife officers work
2 Semesters
you’ll spend working in the lakes, rivers, fields and mountains during field studies
Career Opportunities
- Conservation officer
- Environmental investigator/inspector
- Fish and wildlife officer
- Fishery officer
- Park patrol officer
- Park ranger
- Park warden
- Pollution control officer
- Resource management officer
- Wildlife investigator
Employability
- Natural Resource Law Enforcement Officer positions have specific physical requirements such as vision, hearing and physical fitness. The specific requirements differ with each agency. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm that they meet the requirements of the agencies with which they hope to work.
- Persons with a criminal record may have difficulty competing for jobs as Conservation Enforcement Officers in Canada.
- Employers often require that students hold a valid Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid Certificate and/or a CPR Certificate to be eligible for seasonal and/or permanent employment. Students are encouraged to obtain these certificates either prior to entering the program or during the first term.
- Workshops and short courses offered by third-party businesses may be available on evenings and weekends. Students are encouraged to attend these sessions to enhance their credentials for employment.
$75,006
the average annual salary of a conservation officer in Alberta
50%
of our Conservation Enforcement grads had a related job before they graduated the program
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
At-a-Glance
Starts-in
September
Credential / Accreditation
Degree
Duration
2 years (post-diploma)
International Eligibility
This program is available for International Students.
Application Deadlines
Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.
Academic Centre
Program Availability
Admissions
Apply NowGeneral Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge Polytechnic programs.
Academic Requirements
Students who have completed a Natural Resource Compliance diploma from Lethbridge Polytechnic will be accepted directly into the Conservation Enforcement - Bachelor of Applied Science program. A minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent is required for admission.
Transfer students are required to have a diploma in natural resource management or equivalent, with additional law enforcement education. Transfer students with related credentials will be accepted into the program after being assessed on an individual basis to determine whether they are eligible. A minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent is required for admission.
Note: Effective for the 2027-2028 academic year, applicants will also be required to demonstrate English language proficiency.
Non-Academic Requirements
- Persons with a criminal record may have difficulty competing for jobs as Conservation Enforcement Officers in Canada.
- Employers often require that students hold a valid Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid Certificate and/or a CPR Certificate to be eligible for seasonal and/or permanent employment. Students are encouraged to obtain these certificates either prior to entering the program or during the first term.
- A number of workshops and short courses sponsored by various agencies are available on evenings and weekends. Students are encouraged to attend these sessions to enhance their credentials for employment.
Medical Requirements
- Natural Resource Law Enforcement Officer positions have specific physical requirements such as vision, hearing and physical fitness. The specific requirements differ with each agency. It is the applicant's responsibility to confirm that they meet the requirements of the agencies with which they hope to work.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science in Conservation Enforcement (BAScCEnf) degree.
| Partner Institution | Partner Program | Incoming/Outgoing | Effective Dates and Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland College | Environmental Sciences - Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2026
Environmental Sciences - Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation DiplomaGraduates of Lakeland College's Environmental Sciences - Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for 42 credits towards Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Applied Science in Conservation Enforcement. Students must complete six required bridging courses (CEN-2259, CEN-2267, CEN-2269, CJP-1159 or CEN-2255, LAW-1161, and LAW-2264) in Open Studies at Lethbridge Polytechnic prior to admission to the third year of the degree program. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) | Conservation Biology Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2026
Conservation Biology DiplomaGraduates of NAIT's Conservation Biology Diploma program, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for 42 credits towards Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Applied Science in Conservation Enforcement. Students must complete six required bridging courses (CEN-2259, CEN-2267, CEN-2269, CJP-1159, LAW-1161, and LAW-2264) in Open Studies at Lethbridge Polytechnic prior to admission to the third year of the degree program. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| See Natural Resource Compliance diploma. | 30 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| See Natural Resource Compliance diploma. | 30 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Term I | ||
| CEN-3354 | Administrative Procedures | 3 |
| CEN-3357 | Environmental Compliance Techniques | 3 |
| CEN-3369 | Environmental Investigations 1 | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 6 | |
| Option A - Environmental Monitoring and Compliance specialty | ||
| • ENV-3381 | Environmental Water Quality 1 | |
| • ENV-3397 | Environmental Assessment and Auditing 1 | |
| Option B - Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialty | ||
| • CEN-3352 | Parks and Protected Areas 1 | |
| • CEN-3389 | Problem Wildlife Management Techniques 1 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| CEN-3374 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| CEN-3379 | Case Management | 3 |
| CEN-3390 | Issues in Resource Enforcement | 3 |
| CJP-2287 | Strategies in Crisis Situations | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 3 | |
| Option A - Environmental Monitoring and Compliance specialty | ||
| • ENV-2280 | Contaminant Management | |
| Option B - Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialty | ||
| • SOC-3355 | Cultural Diversity in Conservation Enforcement | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Students are eligible to register in Directed Field Studies courses after successful completion of Year 3. Students must complete a Summer and a Fall term of Directed Field Studies earning a total of 30 learning credits through completion of the following courses: | ||
| CEN-4455 | Field Enforcement | 6 |
| CEN-4460 | Community Involvement | 3 |
| CEN-4480 | Administrative Techniques | 3 |
| CEN-4491 | Senior Enforcement Project | 6 |
| CEN-4496 | Independent Study | 6 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 6 | |
| Option A - Environmental Monitoring and Compliance specialty | ||
| • CEN-4470 | Habitat Protection | |
| • CEN-4485 | Program Management | |
| Option B - Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialty | ||
| • CEN-4465 | Hazard Assessment and Public Safety | |
| • CEN-4475 | Problem Wildlife Field Techniques | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
1 Courses with a field study component.
Special notes about field studies:
Students are off-campus completing field studies during most of September and April. In the Fall term, field studies are in September, while in the Winter term, field studies are scheduled in April. Field studies schedules are dependent on many variables and may require students to participate on weekends. All program field studies require mandatory attendance.
Students may complete non-credit environmental field techniques courses to enhance their employability. Courses such as firearms safety, ATV operations, trapping, loading and backing trailers, and basic first aid may be offered by third-party businesses. Students will be responsible for the fees associated with these courses.
View course timetablesTuition costs are estimates for the 2025/2026 year.
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3
|
$6,869.00
|
$2,507.00
|
$600.00
|
| Year 4
|
$7,070.00
|
$1,952.00
|
$200.00
|
View detailed program cost estimates
International Students
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3
|
$18,869.00
|
$2,507.00
|
$600.00
|
| Year 4
|
$20,077.00
|
$1,952.00
|
$200.00
|
Notes
Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.
Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.
Students are responsible for the cost of the field trips relating to this program.
Budget Wizard
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
The Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science is available through the following delivery methods.
On Campus
This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge Polytechnic campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.
With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge Polytechnic awards and scholarships - visit our Awards and Scholarships page for more information.
Featured Graduates
Joe Storms
"The instructors who I worked with at Lethbridge College were awesome. They will go out of their way to help you achieve what you’re wanting to accomplish. I don’t think I would be here, working in Jasper National Park, if I didn’t go through the Conservation Enforcement program. They really helped with setting me up, giving me the right skills and showing what kind of options are out there.”
Miles Grove
“The curriculum gave me the technical background in wildlife management, fisheries management and all the resource-type management courses to understand the resources that I was enforcing the law with. The college set me up perfectly to get a job as a wildlife officer. I have a great career, and it all started with me going to Lethbridge College.”