Natural resources

B.S.
Online You can complete all or nearly all requirements of this program online.*
delivery
$384 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
per credit
4
start terms/year

Shape the future by learning to manage and conserve the natural resources that sustain life. That’s an ambitious and vital task, and it’s one the world needs people like you to undertake in order to protect the natural world. To join the efforts, first earn a bachelor’s degree in natural resources online from Oregon State University to gain a wealth of knowledge and build a career where you can make a genuine difference.

This renowned program combines science, management and policy to provide you with the skills to conserve wildlife and forests, manage water resources and craft sustainable practices that solve environmental challenges. Through hands-on learning and interdisciplinary exploration, you’ll uncover the connections between ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

Skills you’ll gain in OSU’s online natural resources degree program

As a student in Oregon State’s online natural resources degree program, you’ll gain the in-demand skills you need to stand out in the job market and level up your career. You’ll learn from expert Oregon State faculty who have real-world experience in the field.

  • Forest biology and ecology
  • Natural resource education
  • Wildland fire ecology
  • Landscape analysis
  • Ecological restoration
  • Conservation law enforcement
  • Human dimensions in natural resources
Pathway beside beautiful lake with bright yellow aspens and snow-capped mountains in background
Best Online Bachelor's Programs 2025 - U.S. News & World Report

Program details

Your online coursework will delve into the science and management of natural resources as well as the social, economic and political influences on resource use and environmental policy. Discover what it takes to restore habitats, educate communities, become a resource planner and conduct other efforts that preserve our planet.

The online natural resources program is offered by Oregon State’s College of Forestry.

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits are required to graduate with your degree in natural resources, including:

Person using a core sampler in the shallows of a mangrove forest, surrounded by water and greenery, under a bright sky

Additional program features

When you pursue a natural resources degree online, you’ll work with an academic advisor to choose from a wide variety of options in order to focus your studies in an area of particular interest. You can also design your own option.

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

Get a jump-start on your Master of Natural Resources degree while working toward your bachelor’s degree in natural resources. Through Oregon State’s Accelerated Master’s Platform, current undergraduate students can take graduate-level courses online that will be applied to their bachelor’s degree.

The credits you earn will be transferred to the Master of Natural Resources program. Students enrolled in Oregon State’s online graduate courses will pay the graduate tuition and fees rate.

You can gain highly specialized skills that are in demand by employers — and do it with less of a time and financial commitment — when you earn a certificate or microcredential online with Oregon State. Choose from a large collection of short-form offerings that can help you upskill quickly.

Natural resources careers

The knowledge you acquire in Oregon State’s online natural resources degree program will help you fill in-demand jobs in the global marketplace. As a leader in this area, you’ll enter the workforce ready to provide insights in economic sectors that need natural resources experts.

Job market outlook

Use the interactive tool on this page to discover employment trends, top occupations and salary details for professionals who have skills related to natural resources. Please be aware that completing a program related to the job market information shown here does not guarantee employment or a specific salary.