Do you love the outdoors? Kirkwood’s Parks and Natural Resources program is perfect for anyone who has a deep concern for preserving and managing natural resources.
Students in Kirkwood’s Parks and Natural Resources program learn to maintain and build campgrounds and lake areas; identify and manage fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and nesting game birds; operate and maintain equipment; manage plant material and land; and maintain park facilities.
Parks and Natural Resources students manage a 600-acre off-campus site, a swan pond, and several prairies around campus. Kirkwood’s program is ranked sixth in the nation for the number of students graduating in natural resources.
Kirkwood offers more than $3 million in scholarships for students each year.
A one-hour program conference is required prior to acceptance to the program. You'll learn more about the program, specific admissions requirements, and have the opportunity to have questions answered by program faculty and staff.
School Year: 2024–2025
Program Entry Semester: Fall/Spring/Summer
Pre-Reqs | Fall | Spring | Summer | Fall | Spring | Summer | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Credit Hours per Semester | 0 | 17 | 16 | 0 | 18 | 15 | 0 | 66 |
In-State Tuition | $0 | $3,689 | $3,472 | $0 | $3,906 | $3,255 | $0 | $14,322 |
Technology Fee per Semester | $0 | $50 | $50 | $0 | $50 | $50 | $0 | $200 |
Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Conferences/Seminars | $0 | $90 | $40 | $0 | $40 | $0 | $0 | $170 |
Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) | $0 | $90 | $150 | $0 | $110 | $310 | $0 | $660 |
Course/Section Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $50 | $15 | $0 | $65 |
Laptop (required devices) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Testing Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Third Party Credentials | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $125 | $0 | $125 |
Tool Sets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Uniforms | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Other | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Total Estimated Cost | $3,919 | $3,712 | $4,156 | $3,755 | $15,542 |
Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).
Fees and costs are subject to change. To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.
Conservation officer, park ranger, naturalist, park maintenance, watershed management, and more.
Actively participate in volunteer activities, parks-related organizations and on-campus clubs. Not only will you gain valuable work-related experience, but you’ll make some great industry contacts also.
Working a seasonal job at a park or in conservation is a good idea, too.
You can work in conservation law enforcement, environmental education, and with private organizations specializing in land protection and watershed management, just to name a few.
To get into the Parks and Natural Resources program, you must complete the following, in addition to Kirkwood’s steps to become a student:
Explore Kirkwood's horticulture programs, including Golf Course and Athletic Turfgrass Management, Landscape Horticulture Studies, and Parks & Natural Resources.
“I’ve really had a chance to become a better writer though my college writing class. It’s my favorite class I’ve had at Kirkwood. My classes at Kirkwood have helped take my writing to the next level.”
Owen Pfremmer,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
To prepare students for employment by creating a culture that promotes professionalism and equips students with basic knowledge and applied skills demanded in today's parks and natural resources workplace.
Agricultural Sciences
1000 Washington Hall
319-398-5609
agsciences@kirkwood.edu