Description

The Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program is proud to offer two 16-credit programs for undergraduates committed to the study of conservation, based at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute near the Shenandoah National Park in Front Royal, Virginia.

Each semester-long program, Applied Conservation Strategies and Ecology for Effective Conservation Practices, offers five integrated courses that include a practicum experience as well as classes focusing on conservation theory and applications. Applied Conservation Strategies focuses on the root causes of conservation issues and ways in which science informs management and policy. Ecology for Effective Conservation Practices addresses how ecological theory can be applied to the study of conservation and communication about threats to species.

Highlights

Students reside at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, where our new academic and dorm facilities will provide students with a state-of-the-art learning environment. The 3,200-acre conservation campus is nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains close to Shenandoah National Park, approximately an hour and a half from Washington DC.

Like a "study abroad" program, students live in residence at Smithsonians campus in Front Royal, Virginia. Through the academically intense curriculum of active learning, teamwork, hands-on experience, public communication, and case studies, students emerge from the Semester prepared for conservation-related professions and graduate study.

University Attributes

Exploring the conservation world beyond classrooms and books

Programs offered by the Smithsonian-Mason Semester for Conservation Studies answer the emerging imperative to create undergraduate curricula that covers conservation biology within the social, economic, and political context with emphasis on problem solving, critical thinking and hands-on learning.

These unique programs are open to upper-level students from any college or university, who have a demonstrated commitment to the study of conservation biology and related disciplines. Like a "study abroad" program, students live in residence at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia adjacent to Shenandoah National Park and learn from prominent research scientists, wildlife biologists, educators, and other leading conservation professionals. Through academically intense, hand-on-curricula, students will emerge from their Semester experience prepared for conservation related internships, graduate study or professions.

"We were challenged this semester to think of conservation in ways that we would never think of it before." -- Carol Cogliano

"Basically, I loved this whole semester because of the hands-on experience that we had. In college, we learn about everything (and we do that here), but in college you don't get to actually go out and do - go out and wrestle deer or feed the animals that you're caring for." -- Daniel Schuldenfrei

Degrees Available

• Diploma/Certification

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Experience Required

no

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 month

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Year Founded

2008