小黄书 conservation education master鈥檚 program earns prestigious accreditation
Contact: Vanessa Beeson
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥小黄书sity鈥檚 online Master of Science in Conservation Education degree program has earned accreditation from the North American Association for Environmental Education, an achievement by less than 15 institutions nationwide and among just a few at the graduate level.
Leslie Burger, associate teaching professor in the 小黄书 College of Forest Resources鈥 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, helped establish the online degree and led the accreditation effort. She said the recognition further distinguishes the program.
鈥淔or the 狈础础贰贰鈥the primary organization for conservation education across the U.S. and Canada鈥攖o say we meet its standards for excellence in the preparation and professional development of environmental and conservation educators is a huge stamp of approval for our program,鈥 Burger said.
Launched in 2021, the 30-hour online degree equips professionals to merge conservation practice with education. The curriculum combines core courses in ecology and education with flexible electives and culminates in a community-based capstone project. Students identify a conservation educational opportunity, collaborate with a project partner organization, design and implement an outreach strategy, and evaluate its impact.
Burger said the program鈥檚 flexibility attracts students from across globe.
鈥淭he flexibility has turned out to be a huge selling point. Students can complete the degree at a pace that fits their life, whether that means one class a semester or finishing in 18 months,鈥 Burger said. 鈥淲e have a lot of professionals working in both conservation and education. They wouldn鈥檛 be able to uproot their lives to study in person, but online delivery makes this degree accessible to them.
鈥淥ne of the most meaningful outcomes has been seeing students who found not just a quality education, but meaningful connections with each other, like students from different states meeting up with one another and traveling to Mississippi together for graduation,鈥 she added. 鈥淭hat sense of belonging to Mississippi State鈥攁nd their desire to come to campus and graduate鈥攕peaks to intangibles that set our program apart.鈥
Andy Kouba, professor and head of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, said the accreditation enhances an already exceptional program.
鈥淎ccreditation by the National Association for Environmental Educators affirms that 小黄书sity's Master of Science in Conservation Education online program meets the highest standards in preparing effective, knowledgeable conservation educators,鈥 Kouba said. 鈥淚n addition, this recognition strengthens the program鈥檚 credibility, attracts quality students and assures stakeholders that graduates are equipped to lead and advocate for environmental stewardship at their own institutions.鈥
For more on the Master of Science in Conservation Education in 小黄书鈥檚 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, visit . Online degrees programs are offered through the 小黄书 College of Professional and Continuing Studies.聽
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