Professional Master's Program

The Nelson Institute professional master's program in environmental conservation is a 15-month, 32-credit blended learning curriculum designed to train conservation leaders in practical interdisciplinary skills.

Built on the legacy of pioneering environmental leaders such as John Muir, Aldo Leopold and Gaylord Nelson, alongside current leaders in the field of conservation, the program helps early-career working professionals advance their leadership and environmental management expertise through campus learning and remote experiences.

Training conservation leaders in practical interdisciplinary skills to tackle complex decisions in a changing world.

With curricula in conservation planning, land use policy, and in professional skills such as applied GIS, conservation fundraising, protected area management, program evaluation, and strategic communications, students are better prepared to tackle complex challenges in a changing world. Students also engage directly with a range of conservation organizations and practitioners, helping to solve some of the most urgent challenges in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

News

Janet Silbernagel: The calling of the cranes
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Hogberg highlights Conference for Conservation Biology on Madison radio program
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Conservation pioneers: First recipients of Nelson Institute professional master’s already making an impact
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UW-Madison earns top-five ranking in conservation and natural resources education
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Professional degree a new tool for conservation leaders
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