Park & Conservation Management

Program Codes: PACM
Bachelor of Science

The Parks and Conservation Management program (PACM) provides comprehensive educational approach offers the integration of traditional and experiential learning to encourage discovery, discipline and creativity. Through coursework in classrooms, laboratories, and program-specific fieldwork, Parks and Conservation Management students gain knowledge and develop skills to prepare them for rewarding careers and life-long learning.

Career opportunities exist in the public sector such as the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, state park departments, city and county parks and recreation departments. But there are a growing number of opportunities in the private sector working within resorts, lodges, estates and in managing facilities and parks for specific demographics such as elder communities. The program concentrates on the skills and knowledge areas needed to be successful in Parks and Conservation Management. This includes an emphasis in diverse backgrounds to form partnerships that meet client needs.

At the end of the program students will be able to:

  • Examine the social, biological, and physical sciences underlying sound land use planning & management to include ecological principles & their application to management & use of the resources
  • Employ the principles & practices of stewardship and use of natural resources and the ability to interpret them to the general public, particularly as related to the public's role in stewardship
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply both traditional and innovative management.
  • Evaluate the relationship of society to the environment.
  • Discuss the conceptual foundations of play, recreation, & leisure
  • Examine the significance of play, recreation, & leisure in contemporary society, and throughout a person's life span.
  • Compare the interrelationship between leisure behavior and environmental ethics and the natural environment
  • Implement leisure principles and procedures related to individuals, groups and the communities quality of life
  • Evaluate a variety of assessment techniques and their uses
  • Develop out-come oriented goals and objectives
  • Utilize ethical considerations, leadership models, motivation techniques, team leadership, and self-managed team concepts.
  • Identify the roles, interrelationships and use of diverse delivery systems addressing park resources, recreation, and leisure.
  • Identify the public, private, profit, and not-for-profit delivery systems that address the leisure needs of the public, how they work together, and their importance
  • Demonstrate the importance of leisure delivery systems for diverse populations
  • Differentiate the impact of leisure delivery systems on a wide diversity of populations
  • Apply appropriate research methodology and statistical analysis for assessment, planning and evaluation processes for evidence based decision making
  • Apply the fundamental principles and procedures of management
  • Explain the principles and procedures of human resource management
  • Utilize the tools of professional communication

Degree Requirements:

The minimum number of credit hours necessary to meet degree requirements for the Parks and Conservation Management program is 120. A minimum of 60 credits of the total shall be drawn from the Liberal Arts and Sciences. At least 40 credits shall be 300/400-level courses.

Contact the Department Chairperson

Semester 1

3
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Semester 2

3
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3
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3
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ELECTIVE
3-4

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ELECTIVE
3-4

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Semester 3

3
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3
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3-4
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ELECTIVE
3-4

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ELECTIVE
3-4

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Semester 4

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ELECTIVE
3-4

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ELECTIVE
3-4

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ELECTIVE
3-4

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ELECTIVE
3-4

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ELECTIVE
3-4

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Semester 5

3
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3-4
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Semester 6

3
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ELECTIVE
3-4

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Semester 7

3
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3
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3
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ELECTIVE
3-4

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Semester 8

OR

3
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3
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3
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ELECTIVE
3-4

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Total Credits 120

Contact Information

Environment & Society

Dr. Karen Edwards

Pickett Hall 107

518-327-6387

kedwards@paulsmiths.edu


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