As a double major program, Natural Resources Law Enforcement combines two established bachelor’s programs – one from Criminal Justice & Criminology and one from Natural Resources & the Environment – to open unique career opportunities. Developing a strong background in both domains will provide those who complete the program with a tremendous advantage when applying for these competitive positions.
How can you fit in both degrees and still graduate in four years? There are many opportunities to select courses that satisfy requirements for both degree programs. For example, courses required for Criminal Justice may satisfy elective courses for your Natural Resources & the Environment major and vice versa. Academic and faculty advisors are ready to help navigate the available options to best prepare your for your individual career goals.
Criminal Justice & Criminology
Criminal justice is the study of crime control and the justice system through the lens of law enforcement, courts, and correctional agencies. Criminology is the study of crime and criminal behavior, focusing on the causes of criminal behavior through the use of scientific methodology. Criminal justice and criminology are interdisciplinary fields that draw upon the knowledge bases of sociology, psychology, law, public policy and other related disciplines to develop insights into the causes, control, and prevention of criminal behavior. Our degrees are criminal justice centered, but unlike programs found at other institutions, they are deeply rooted in a criminology foundation.
Criminal Justice, B.A.
Program Highlights
Taught by expert faculty, our Criminal Justice & Criminology program is one of the largest and most versatile programs in Marshall’s College of Science. Established in 1974, it is among the oldest in the state of West Virginia, and the first to offer both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Criminal Justice.
As a Criminal Justice major at Marshall, you will prepare for top careers by participating in immersive internship opportunities on the local and state level in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.
After completing your bachelor’s degree, you may choose to further your education through graduate work at the master’s and doctoral levels. If you desire to start graduate school even before finishing your bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for entry through our Accelerated Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice program.
Featured Courses
Criminal Law & Procedure
Examines the history of criminal law, elements of a crime, offense types, admissibility of evidence/confessions, recent civil rights decisions while reconciling individual rights and community interest in the justice system.
Crime Scene & Investigations
This course exposes students to crime scene processing techniques and technology, criminal investigation procedures, sources of information, interrogation, victim and witness interviewing, legal issues in criminal investigations.
Environmental Criminology
Explores theoretical, methodological, and practical approaches about environmental crime from a critical lens.
Natural Resources & the Environment
The Natural Resources & the Environment program offers two degrees that, when paired with a Criminal Justice degree, can help prepare students for careers in Natural Resource Law Enforcement-related fields. Students select one of these two majors to pair with Criminal Justice depending on their desired career outcomes.
The Environment Science major prepares students for careers or advanced studies in management, conservation, protection, regulation, and restoration of natural resources. Environmental Science merges concepts in geology, ecology, biology, chemistry and physics to provide students with a strong science foundation which forms the basis of understanding of environmental issues.
The Natural Resources and Recreation Management degree prepares students for careers in environmental conservation, park management, outdoor recreation and other related fields. The program combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experiences, allowing students to understand the complexities of managing natural resources and creating sustainable recreational opportunities.
Academic and faculty advisors are ready to help identify which program is better aligned with your career goals
Environmental Science, B.S.
Program Highlights
Environmental Science provides a strong foundation in diverse topics but ultimately allows students to focus on individual interests preparing them for diverse careers. With faculty expertise in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and active research opportunities, our Environmental Science students have opportunity to experience various ecosystems, field and laboratory research and practice, internships, and more.
Students can enhance their educational experience by joining university clubs and professional organizations. University clubs, such as MESA and Scuba Club, provide social networking and volunteer experiences. Membership in professional organizations, such as the American Fisheries Society and the Ecological Society of America, provide opportunities to develop a professional network and leadership experiences.
Technology is incorporated in the curriculum to provide students with up to date educational experiences preparing them for decision making in our modern world. Students receive hands-on experience with technology such deployed high frequency sensors, drones, and state of the art field sampling equipment complementary to geographic information systems, remote sensing and big data analysis platforms for data analysis.
Featured Courses
Terrestrial Systems
Use of scientific procedure and current technology to characterize and quantify sensitive elements of terrestrial ecosystems and to assess human impact on these systems.
Water Policy and Regulations
Examination of how aquatic resources are protected for humans and species of concern by current regulatory framework.
Senior Capstone
Students develop and complete a research project under the direction of a faculty member in the NRE department
Natural Resources & Recreation Management, B.S.
Program Highlights
Degree relies heavily on out-of-classroom experiences to promote a more in-depth and real-world understanding, using local natural areas, municipal parks and state and federal lands to support learning.
Internship program consists of a supervised, 40-hour per week position with an established agency focused on the management of natural resources and outdoor reaction with a reputable outside groups in the region.
Featured Courses
GIS and Data Systems
Course focuses on the relationships among the scientific method, data structures, and geographic images. Students relate hypothesis formation and databases through the development of ARCMap documents.
Adventure Education Leadership
This course focuses on preparing students to be outdoor adventure education leaders, facilitating programs in both the front and back country utilizing adventure education techniques in an outdoor setting.
Recreation Resource Planning and Design
Basic considerations in the planning and design of natural areas, parks, forests, recreation, and sport area infrastructure, facilities and associated amenities.