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Wetland Science and Conservation Certificate

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Protect state and local wetlands by becoming well-versed in their ecology, function, and policy in just two semesters of online coursework.

Credential Type

Graduate Certificate - Coursera Based

Cost (2024)

$9,060

Delivery Format

Online

Program Length

12 Credit Hours

Enrollment

Fall or Spring

Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor's degree required

Course Details Icon

Benefit 1

Master foundational knowledge of wetland ecosystems. 

Benefit 2

Acquire skills in wetland conservation and restoration. 

Benefit 3

Navigate wetland policies and engage diverse stakeholders. 

Overview

This online graduate certificate is for current and aspiring conservation professionals who want to study and practice wetland conservation. The 2023 Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Supreme Court decision changed wetland policy authority from the federal to state and local levels. With this change, wetland scientists are critical for protecting these valuable ecosystems. 

The program offers comprehensive courses to explore wetland ecosystems, including biological, chemical, and physical properties. Students will also explore U.S. regulations, human impacts and needs, and wetland delineation and restoration techniques. 

As a result of completing this certificate, you'll learn to navigate the diverse stakeholder landscape of policy, economic, community, and cultural factors that influence the protection and conservation of wetlands.

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Skills You Will Learn

Upon completing this certificate, you will:

  • Assess the biological, chemical, and physical components of wetlands. 
  • Explain how current U.S. laws and regulations govern human impacts on wetlands. 
  • Evaluate the impact that human activity has on wetland ecosystem services and functions. 
  • Identify wetlands and delineate wetland boundaries based on vegetation, soil, and hydrological indicators. 
  • Create a wetland restoration plan capable of restoring/replacing ecosystem services and functions. 
  • Apply ecosystem stewardship concepts and technological tools to wetland restoration and conservation.
  • Evaluate the role of national regulations, international agreements, and non-governmental organizations in global wetland conservation.
  • Assess the impact that different stakeholder groups can have on successful wetland management. 
Skills 15

Build Skills that Matter

Gain the knowledge and practical experience needed to excel in your field and create meaningful impact.

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Meet your instructors

Immerse yourself in expert-led learning, where each course is delivered by industry veterans who bring a wealth of real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only share their extensive knowledge but also offer personalized insights tailored to your unique goals. Engage with cutting-edge technologies and interactive tools that make learning both dynamic and practical. By leveraging their expertise, you'll gain actionable skills and insights directly applicable to your career advancement.

instructor
Caitlin Bloomer
Caitlin Bloomer, Ph.D.

Teaching Assistant Professor

Caitlin Bloomer, Ph.D., is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Prior to this role, she was a postdoctoral research associate with the Illinois Natural History Survey. She worked closely with state agencies to research the faunal biodiversity of wetlands and the impacts of land management practices. She was also a curriculum design fellow with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, where she developed online courses for non-STEM majors. Dr. Bloomer earned her Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her bachelor of science in Marine Biology from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.

Piper Hodson
Piper Hodson

Director of Online Graduate Program

Piper Hodson is the Director of the Online Graduate Program for Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. She has extensive experience as a Student Services Coordinator in higher education and has worked with undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. Her expertise spans educational program development and assessment, career and academic advising, web content development, and marketing.

Jeffrey Matthews
Jeffrey Matthews, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Jeffrey Matthews, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with wetland ecology and restoration expertise. Dr. Matthews conducts research on plant communities in natural and restored ecosystems to understand drivers of change and apply that understanding to challenges in plant conservation and restoration. He teaches courses in plant ecology, plant identification, and wetland ecology and management. Before joining the NRES faculty, he served as Wetland Research Lead for the Illinois Natural History Survey.

Robert Hudson
Robert Hudson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Robert Hudson, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with expertise in simulating soil carbon dynamics and the reactivity of trace metals in natural waters. His research group developed a novel technique for measuring methylmercury that has been applied to quantify mercury pollution in muscle tissues of wildlife, waters of wetlands, rivers, denitrifying bioreactors, and sediments of wetlands and coastal oceans.

JCQ
Jocelyn Curtis Quick, Ph.D.

Adjunct Lecture

Jocelyn Curtis-Quick, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Natural Resources and Environmental Science Lecturer with expertise in marine ecosystems and fauna. She has also conducted research with NRES faculty on freshwater invasive fauna in Midwestern waterways. Dr. Curtis-Quick teaches a study abroad marine field experience in The Bahamas for undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, she teaches the graduate research methods class, runs the online seminar class, and serves on the capstone committee.

Clark Dennis
Clark Dennis, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Clark Dennis, Ph.D., is a visiting Assistant Professor of Biology at Illinois Wesleyan University. He has expertise in the management and mitigation of invasive freshwater species. He was previously an Adjunct Instructor in Natural Resources and Environmental Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he taught aquatic ecosystem conservation and a fisheries field experience course.

Course Details

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The Wetland Science and Conservation Certificate is a 12-credit hour program consisting of three credit-bearing graduate courses and six Coursera components.

To earn this certificate, you'll complete the following:

NRES 417 – Principles of Wetland Science and Conservation

Coursera Components:  

NRES 517 – Advanced Wetland Theory and Techniques

Coursera Components:  

  • Wetland Delineation Fundamentals (Coming soon!)  
  • Managing Wetlands: Conservation & Restoration (Coming soon!) 

NRES 527 – Wetland Science and Conservation in Context

Coursera Components:  

  • Wetland Regulation: Local to Global Perspective (Coming soon!)  
  • Wetland Conservation Through a Human Lens (Coming soon!) 

How to Enroll

Applying for this Certificate

To apply for a graduate certificate program, you'll need to start an online application through the University of Illinois Graduate College. 

The following items are required for your application:

  • Bachelor’s degree: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A=4.0), or comparable GPA for an international applicant, for the last two years of undergraduate study is a minimum requirement for admission.
  • Professional resume: This should include personal information (name, address, telephone number, and email address), academic background, work experience (start and end dates for each position and a brief description of responsibilities), educational training, professional associations, and leadership experiences. Please limit your resume to two pages. 
  • English proficiency scores (international students only): If you are a non-native English speaker, you must upload your TOEFL or IELTS scores directly to your application. Review the Graduate College’s English proficiency requirements for more details on possible exemptions.
how-to-enroll

Steps to apply as a certificate student

  1. Navigate to choose.illinois.edu/apply. 
  2. Create an account or Log in (as a returning users). 
  3. Click Start New Application.
  4. Read the Instructions. Click the Continue button (bottom of page).
  5. Enter your Personal Information. Click the Continue button.
  6. Complete the Residency Information. Click the Continue button.
  7. In the left menu (on a desktop) or from the dropdown list (mobile), click the Program link.
  8. In the “Proposed Program of Study” section, select the following Program and Degree from the dropdown options.
    1. Program: Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences   
    2. Degree: Wetland Science and Conservation (Online)-GCRT   
  9. Complete the remaining applicable areas of the application and submit.

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