The Master of Conservation Leadership, Plan C, is a graduate degree which prepares leaders to address complex conservation issues at local, regional, and global scales. The program is built around principles of experiential learning, inter-disciplinary instruction, and applied approaches. Students work closely with a network of practitioners and complete an applied project in partnership with a conservation organization.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Evaluate conservation challenges using interdisciplinary frameworks that incorporate ecological and social perspectives.
- Synthesize stakeholder perspectives to facilitate collaborative conservation decision-making processes.
- Apply systems thinking approaches to identify and interpret complex conservation problems.
- Design interdisciplinary strategies that address conservation challenges across socio-ecological systems.
- Use inquiry-based tools and leadership practices to support conservation planning and action.
- Develop professional communications strategies that effectively convey conservation issues to diverse audiences.
- Formulate collaborative team processes to achieve effective group and leadership outcomes in conservation contexts.
- Develop an applied conservation leadership project in partnership with an external organization that integrates leadership theory with real-world conservation practice.
Effective Fall 2026
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| NR 541 | Conservation Governance | 3 |
| NR 543B | Catalyzing Change: Collaborative Conservation | 3 |
| NR 544E | Methods in Conservation: Social Science | 3 |
| NR 545B | Multilevel Views: Society and Conservation- Global | 3 |
| NR 549A | Conservation and Systems Leadership | 3 |
| NR 549B | Conservation and Systems Leadership: Field | 3 |
| NR 564 | Systems Thinking and Biodiversity | 3 |
| Electives (see course option list below) | 9 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 30 | |
Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATS 543/ESS 543 | Global Climate Change | 2 |
| BUS 634 | Business Strategies for a Better World | 2 |
| BUS 638 | Sustainability Ethics and Business Practice | 2 |
| BUS 639 | Corp. Social and Sustainable Responsibility | 2 |
| BUS 662 | Managing Diversity - Global Business Context | 2 |
| NR 534 | Management for Conservation Projects | 3 |
| NR 569 | Conservation Communication Fundamentals | 2 |
| NR 570 | Conservation Managers – Media Communications | 2 |
| NR 571 | New Media Communications for Conservation | 2 |
| NR 572 | Strategic Communications for Conservation | 2 |
| NR 573 | Conservation Crisis Communications | 2 |
| NR 574 | Advanced Communications for Conservation | 2 |
| NR 586 | Conservation Leadership Capstone 1 | 1-6 |
| NRRT 608 | Nature, Outdoor Recreation--Human Well-being | 2 |
| NRRT 609 | Tourism and Conservation | 2 |
| NRRT 650 | Financial Management in Tourism | 2 |
| NRRT 671 | Strategic Management for Travel and Tourism | 2 |
A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
Students may engage in an optional practicum experience (i.e., conservation capstone project). This experience includes a hands-on experience applying knowledge in a real-world setting. It includes direct supervision and feedback from professionals from both the academic program and partnering organization.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |