Certificate Programs | School of Forest Resources & Conservation

Why Certificates?

Sometimes a full graduate degree is more than you need to accomplish your goals. For those students seeking less commitment, cost, and time than a Master’s degee, we are pleased to be able to offer a wide range of certificates in environmental and natural resource subject areas that can help you further your career and gain the knowledge you need.

Enrolled graduate students can also earn Certificates to add value and specificity to your degree program – students from all Colleges and departments are encouraged.

Enroll one semester at a time, with no long-term commitment
Quick and easy application – no GRE required!
Earn multiple Certificates or combine with a degree
No out-of-state fees
Count up to 15 credits towards a future degree

Apply Today!

Certificate seekers who are enrolled at UF should contact SFRC Online for assistance.

Certificate Programs in the SFRC

We offer a variety of Certificates spanning environmental science, natural resources, environmental policy and law, geospatial sciences, and aquatic and marine biology. Students learn from the experts using innovative online technologies for course delivery from the pre-eminent University of Florida.

Click on a program title to view more information and requirements. Certificates marked with * are available entirely online.

Aquaculture & Fish Health Graduate Certificate*

This Graduate Certificate aims to provide working knowledge of aquaculture and health of captive aquatic animals and/or familiarity with health issues in wild aquatic species.

This basic knowledge is critical for professionals working at facilities which house aquatic animals and marine mammals, including scientists at research laboratories and teachers involved with agriculture education in K-12 (for example, aquaculture in the classroom). This certificate also serves graduate students who have an interest in developing expertise in the fields of aquaculture and aquatic animal health.

Credits required: 12

Required Courses (for 6 credits total):
FAS 5015, Aquaculture I
FAS 5255, Diseases of Warm Water Fishes
Choose 2 or more electives from this list (for 6 credits total):
FAS 5203C/FAS 6932, Biology of Fishes
FAS 6165, Fish & Crustacean Nutrition
FAS 6154, Aquatic Invertebrate Ecological Physiology
FAS 6176, Algae Biology & Ecology
FAS 6256, Fish/Shellfish Histological Interpretation
FAS 6408, Aquaculture II
VME 6010, Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues
VME 6011, Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues

Ecological Restoration Graduate Certificate*

This Graduate Certificate aims to address the growing demand for ecological restoration professionals in areas such as restoration ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental consulting, fire and wildlife ecology, watershed management, wetland sciences and wetland restoration, and mine rehabilitation.

Students obtaining the certificate will have acquired skills to assist them in understanding ecology, soils, and related biophysical sciences; designing restoration projects, synthesizing relevant primary information sources, such as technical reports and scientific publications; techniques used in ecological restoration, monitoring, and evaluation; and awareness of socio-economic, ethical, legal, and political dimensions of ecological restoration.

Credits required: 15

Required:
FOR 5157 Ecosystem Restoration Principles and Practice
Choose 4 Electives:
FAS 6932 Invasion Ecology of Aquatic Animals
FOR 5159 Ecology and Restoration of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem
FOR 6151 Forest Ecosystem Health
FOR 6154 Analysis of Forest Ecosystems
FOR 6934 Ecology and Restoration of Invaded Ecosystems
FOR 6934 Agroforestry of the Southeastern US
FNR 6628 Watershed Restoration and Management
FNR 6669 Policy and Economics of Natural Resources
HOS 6932 Plant Materials for Conservation and Restoration

Environmental Education and Communication Graduate Certificate

The Environmental Education and Communication certificate is available only to enrolled graduate students in any program at the University of Florida. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, there are a number of different routes to the certificate.
The certificate is ideal for those who plan to work in non-formal environmental education, developing community-based youth programs or conducting adult information and outreach programs for agencies and organizations.
Click here to learn more.
Credits required: 15

There are four groups of courses:
Group 1: Environmental Education and Communication Theory and Practice
Group 2: Ecological Science
Group 3: Social Dimensions of Human-Environment Interactions
Group 4: Sustainable Resource Management

Learn more about the application process, and download the application form.

Geomatics Certificate*

The Geomatics Certificate is geared towards professionals or new graduates seeking licensure as surveyors and mappers in the state of Florida. A specific set of courses is required prior to attempting the licensure examination, and as SFRC is the only accredited Geomatics program in Florida, we are proud to provide this service to professional and prospective surveyors and geospatial scientists, cartographers, and those interested in geographic information.

More information is available here.

Credits required: 15

Courses
Please visit Geomatics Certificate for more details on this certificate program.

Geospatial Analysis Graduate Certificate*

This Graduate Certificate aims to address geospatial sciences including geographic information systems, remote sensing, image analysis, geostatistics, GIS programmming/scripting, web mapping, data visualization, and spatial modeling.

The use of geospatial data is an evolving field, both in principle and practice. This certificate allows working professionals to gain additional academic understanding/credentials in this field, such as: applying theoretical and technical knowledge of geospatial information sciences and the application of spatial analysis for research problems in resource conservation; design and implementation of research methodologies used in the application of Geomatics; utilizing digital spatial data resources for mapping and analysis tasks; use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to both document and analyze natural resources.

Credits required: 9

Required:
GIS 6116/SUR5625 Geographic Information Systems Analysis
SUR 5386 Image Processing for Remote Sensing
Choose 1 Elective:
SUR 5365 Digital Mapping
GIS 6103 GIS Programming

Natural Resource Policy & Administration Graduate Certificate*

The goal of this Graduate Certificate is to provide training and background in policy making, permitting, and administration for natural resource management professionals nationwide, and/or to focus the studies of law and environmental policy professionals towards natural resources.

Stakeholder and industry feedback has been unanimous with regards to the need for training, for traditional and non-traditional students, in environmental policy, analysis, human management, and organizational administration. This Graduate Certificate offers a means of obtaining the prerequisites to higher-level administration careers for professionals in the field as well as students seeking to round-out their education in natural resources.

Credits required: 12

Choose 4 Courses:
FOR 6005 Conservation Behavior
FOR 6543 Natural Resource Economics Valuation
FOR 6934 Managing Public Lands & Waters
FOR 6934 Human and Organizational Management in Natural Resources
FOR 6934 Practical Legal Concepts in Natural Resources
FNR 6061 Conflict, Collaboration, and Community Engagement in Natural Resources
FNR 6669 Policy and Economics of Natural Resources

Quantitative Fisheries Science Graduate Certificate*

This Graduate Certificate addresses marine resource population dynamics, quantitative fisheries assessment, and use of quantitative models in fisheries management decision making.

Students completing the Certificate will be able to: apply theoretical and technical knowledge of quantitative sciences (mathematical and statistical) to fisheries research and management problems; design and conduct quantitative fisheries stock assessments; provide fisheries management advice based on quantitative fisheries assessment and management strategy evaluations; analyze and synthesize quantitative fisheries assessment results for use in management decision making contexts such as fisheries commissions. NOTE: Students should have a strong background in statistics and/or a prerequisite course such as STA6166 or ALS5932.

Credits required: 12

Required:
FAS 6355C Fisheries Management
FAS 6337C Fish Population Dynamics
Choose 3 Courses (4 credits each):
FAS 6339C Advanced Fisheries Stock Assessment
FOR 6934 Bayesian Statistics

An alternative and relevant quantitative course may be substituted for one of the required courses with advisor or program coordinator’s permission.

Mapping with Unmanned Aerial Systems

This certificate focuses on the emerging area of mapping using small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). This certificate will enhance the geomatics education of graduate students and working professionals, addressing the needs of industry for individuals competent in the acquisition of high resolution geospatial information. Topics will include foundational knowledge, vehicle and mapping systems operation, and geospatial applications
Credits required: 9

Required Courses (9 credits total):
– Course 1: SUR6502C Geospatial Modeling (Spring)
Includes field work that must be completed on-campus in Gainesville, Plant City REC, or Ft. Lauderdale REC.
– Course 2: SUR940C Practicum in UAS (Summer A – first two weeks)
Includes field work that must be completed on-campus in Gainesville.
– Course 3: SUR6934 Geospatial Applications of sUAS (Fall)
On-campus and online course delivery.
Students must earn a grade of B or better in each course for the certificate.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Ideally, students should take the courses in the numerical order above. Course 3 may be taken before Course 1 if necessary, but Course 1 must be taken before Course 2.
More information is available here.

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