Certificates


Certificates are a great way to build your professional portfolio. We have a variety of certificate opportunities relevant to your degree or profession in natural resources listed below. Visit our catalog for a complete list of certificate offerings at UW-Stevens Point. If you are not currently a student, you are considered a "special student." Information on the registration process is available through our Admissions office here

 Climate Change Certificate

Courses 

Requirements: 12 credits.

Climate Science

3 credits required. Take either:

  • NRES 220 - Global Climate Change and Water Resources, 10th Century to Present Credits: 3 or
  • GEOG 308 - Climate: Past, Present, and Future Credits: 3

Climate Policy

Take 6 credits:
  • NRES 441 - Climate Change Implications, Policies, and Solutions Credits: 3
  • POLI 305 - Climate Chan​ge Politics and Policy Credits: 3

Complementary Courses

Take 3 credits:
  • GEOG 208 - Weather and Climate Credits: 3
  • GEOG 433 - GIS and Geodesign for Sustainability and Resiliency Credits: 3
  • HIST 280 - American Environmental History Credits: 3
  • HIST 306 - The Human Age Credits: 3
  • IA 315 - Sustainable Design Credits: 3
  • NRES 200 - Introduction to Sustainable Communities Credits: 3
  • NRES 405 - Selected Topics in Natural Resources Credits: 1-3 (Must take Subtopic: Lake Superior Region: Natural Resources, Culture and Climate Change)
  • POLI 389 - Public Policy for Sustainable Communities Credits: 3

 Environmental Education and Interpretation Professional/Graduate Certificate

If you have an interest in teaching others about the environment and want to receive more training, this certificate, which can be done online or in-person, is for you. Teachers, non-formal and informal educators, and anyone who works with natural resources could benefit from earning their Environmental Education and Interpretation Certificate.

The courses required for this certificate can also be applied towards our online Master of Natural Resources. Visit www.uwsp.edu/mnr for details or contact Becca Franzen (becca.franzen@uwsp.edu

Eligibility

The professional/graduate certificate is available to the public and current UW-Stevens Point Master’s program students. 

Courses

Requirements: 12 credits.

  • NRES 701: Readings in Environmental Education, 3 cr. or NRES 501: Foundations of Environmental Education I, 3 cr.
  • NRES 767: Fundamentals of Natural and Cultural Interpretation, 3 cr. or NRES 568: Oral Interpretation Methods, 3 cr.
  • NRES 705: Environmental Issues Investigation and Action, 3 cr.
  • NRES 772: Natural Resources Leadership and Communication, 3 cr. or NRES 771: Introduction to Natural and Social Science Research, 3 cr.


 Energy Policy Certificate

Courses

Requirements: 12 credits.

Take 9 credits:
  • NRES 341 - Introduction to Sustainable Energy Policy Credits: 3
  • NRES 441 - Climate Change Implications, Policies, and Solutions Credits: 3
  • NRES 442 - Sustainable Energy: Resources, Technologies, and Policies Credits: 3
Take 3 credits:​
  • NRES 200 - Introduction to Sustainable Communities Credits: 3 or
  • GEOG 433 - GIS and Geodesign for S​ustainability and Resiliency Credits: 3​

 Energy Education Certificate

If you are looking for ways to enhance y​our teaching portfolio and to verify your professional development in energy education, you may be interested in a certificate in energy education through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Energy Education Certificate is available to practicing K-12 teachers only. The certificate reflects comprehensive professional development and experiences in energy content and teaching competencies. The certificate is awarded after completing at least three Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program courses and providing evidence of involvement in at least three energy education activities. 

Eligibility

The Energy Education Certificate is available to practicing K-12 teachers only. The certificate reflects comprehensive professional development and experiences in energy content and teaching competencies.

Courses

The Energy Education certificate is awarded after completing at least three KEEP courses (NRES 630, NRES 631, NRES 632, NRES 633, NRES 634, NRES 635) and providing evidence of involvement in at least three energy education activities. Contact KEEP for a list of eligible activities. 

More Information 

 Environmental Education and Interpretation Undergraduate Certificate

If you have an interest in education, communication, and/or natural resources this certificate is for you! Contact the CNR Student Success Center for more details at cnrssc@uwsp.edu 

Eligibility

The Environmental Education and Interpretation Undergraduate Certificate is available to all undergraduate students not minoring or majoring in Resource Management: Environmental Education and Interpretation or Resource Management: Wildlife Education.

Courses

This certificate consists of 12-14 credits. You must maintain a 2.25 GPA minimum in these courses. 

Required, 9-10 credits

  • NRES 301: Foundations of Environmental Education I, 3 cr. OR NRES 370: Introduction to Environmental Studies and Environmental Education, 3 cr.
  • NRES 368: Oral Interpretation Methods, 3 cr.
  • NRES 374: Environmental Interpretation Practicum, 3 cr. OR NRES 376: Environmental Education Practicum, 4 cr.

Electives, 3-4 credits

  • NRES 281 - Introduction to Recreation and Parks, 3 cr. 
  • NRES 302 - Foundations of Environmental Education II, 1 cr.
  • NRES 305 - Inclusive Practices for Outdoor Professionals, 2 cr.
  • NRES 369 - Interpretive Media, 4 cr. OR NRES 478 - Environmental Issues Investigation and Action, 3 cr.

 Fire Science Certificate

Eligibility

The Fire Science Certificate provides the basics for a student interested in wildland fire. This certificate is skills-based and includes required field experiences, certifications, and formal classes. Land management agencies have a strong demand for employees trained in fire management and fire science as an additional skill set to supplement a different major in one of our natural resources fields. For many students, this certificate will substantially enhance their credentials and increase their value to many types of employers, especially within the federal and state agencies.

Courses

This certificate, administered by the Forestry discipline, consists of 7 credits, 2 federal wildland fire fighting training modules, and a prescribed burning experience.

Required, 7 credits

  • FOR 224 - Fire Operations 1 cr.
  • FOR 324 - Fire Management and Ecology 2 cr.
  • FOR 326 - Wildfire Prevention and Management 1 cr.
  • FOR 381 - Internship in Forestry 1-12 cr. (Take 3 credits) * or
  • NRES 454 - Fire Behavior and Fuels 3 cr.

Successfully complete two federal wildland fire fighting training modules. Choose from:

  • S-212 - Use of Chainsaw on the Fireline
  • S-211 - Portable Pumps
  • S-219 - Firing Operations
  • S-131 - Fire Fighter Type 1 

Complete a prescribed burning experience. Choose from: 
  • Participate in one prescribed burning trip organized by the UW-Stevens Point Fire Crew in regions outside of central Wisconsin, plus two of the prescribed burns conducted by the Crew. 
OR 
  • Complete a summer job in which the primary job duties involve prescribed burning.  

 Geographic Information Systems Certificate

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate is an 18-credit program embracing the need to expand the use of technology in Wisconsin by offering training accessible to both traditional students and learners continuing their education. Certificates can be earned in as little time as 9-months. Learners have the option to earn a Professional GIS Certificate or one of several focal area certificates. Certificates earned for academic credit appear on UWSP official transcripts.

Eligibility

The GIS certificate is open to any student at an accredited college or university, life-long learners, and those seeking workforce training. 

More Information

 Timber Marking Certificate

The Timber Marking Certificate is intended to provide accelerated training for you to enter the workforce prepared to mark timber to reach a range of landowner goals. The main categories of training goals include basic northern hardwood marking, marking for timber quality improvement, marking for wildlife habitat improvement, and marking for the restoration of functions/processes.

Eligibility

The timber marking certificate is available to the public and current UW-Stevens Point students. 

Courses

Required, 10 credits

 Wetland Science Certificate

The Certificate in Wetland Science is a recognition of completion of a course of study in physical, biological and natural resources sciences concentrating on the identification, evaluation, and management of wetlands. When you complete the certificate requirements, you will have met the academic requirements necessary to apply for certification as a “wetland professional in training” by the Society of Wetland Scientists. 

For more information contact our CNR Student Success Center, Room 122 TNR, cnrssc@uwsp.edu. 

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