Students should work closely with their academic advisor to select appropriate elective courses suitable for their area of interest.  Depending upon the Bachelor's/Master’s Degree Program, additional credits are needed to fulfill requirements for the Natural Resource Management  Certificate Program.   A range of competencies is obtained upon completion of the  certificate course work.

Biology
Human Ecology BIOL 410 (3credits)  S
The human species’ place in the biological world, effects on various communities and potential methods of correcting the detrimental effects with economic and social implications. 
Pre: BIOL 105, 106, 215, or consent.

Seminar: Natural Resources Management Professions BIOL 401 (1 credit)
This course offers students an opportunity to survey a variety of professions related to natural resource management to determine educational background, experience, skills, job responsibilities, and employment projections.

English
Technical Communication  ENG 271 (4 credits)
Introduction to learning the written and oral communication of technical information.  Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation.  Emphasis on use of rhetorical analysis, computer application, collaborative writing, and usability testing to complete technical communication tasks in the workplace.
Pre: ENG 101.

Researching and Writing Technical Reports  ENG 474 (4 credits)  S
Practice in writing various types of reports for a variety of purposes and audiences. Includes primary and secondary research methods, data analysis/information to be used in reports. 
Pre: ENG 271 or equivalent 

Environmental Science
Environmental Regulations  ENVR 440 (3 credits)  F
This is a lecture course introducing students to major federal environmental laws and regulations. Discussions include the cause(s) that prompted the enactment of various environmental legislation as well as intent and implementation of the legislation. Both Federal and State of MN environmental statutes will be discussed.

Political Science
Introduction to Public Administration  POL 260 (3 credits)  F, S
A survey of the topics relative to administration in the public sector, including the history of public administration, Organization theory, leadership and management, human resources management, budgeting and finance, policy analysis, program evaluation, and government regulation. 

Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation  POL 321 (3 credits)  V
Traces the history of public policy analysis and program evaluation and provides rudimentary backgrounds on substantive policy areas, e.g., environmental policy; models to analyze policies; and means to evaluate policies and programs. 

Speech Communication
Public Speaking for Technical Professionals  SPEE 233 (3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to create and present effective public communication of technical content for a technical or general audience.

Advanced Public Speaking  SPEE 333 (3 credits)
This is an advanced course in public presentation focused on improving presentational skills of speech delivery and language choice.

Urban and Regional Studies
Community Leadership and Service Learning  URSI 230 (3 credits)  F, S
Introduction to community leadership—elected, professional, or voluntary—and the skills and values, which support it. 

Grants Administration  URSI 453 (3 credits)
Raising resources for public and nonprofit organizations from needs assessment through obtaining funding to managing the grant after it is awarded. 

Regional & County Development  URSI 455 (3 credits)
Regional and county planning content and procedures, including basic research, land use planning, and Implementation of regulations. 
 

Biology
Human Ecology BIOL 510 (3credits)  S
The human species’ place in the biological world, effects on various communities and potential methods of correcting the detrimental effects with economic and social implications. 
Pre: BIOL 105, 106, 215, or consent.

Seminar: Natural Resource Management Professions  BIOL 501 (1 credit)
This course offers students an opportunity to survey a variety of professions related to natural resource management to determine educational background, experience, skills, job responsibilities, and employment projections.

English
Researching and Writing Technical Reports  ENG 575 (4 credits)
Practice in writing various types of reports for a variety of purposes and audiences. Includes primary and secondary research methods, data analysis/information to be used in reports. 
Pre: ENG 271 or equivalent

Environmental Science
Environmental Regulations  ENVR 540 (3 credits)  F
This is a lecture course introducing students to major federal environmental laws and regulations. Discussions include the cause(s) that prompted the enactment of various environmental legislation as well as intent and implementation of the legislation. Both Federal and State of MN environmental statutes will be discussed.

Political Science
Seminar: Public Management  POL 628 (3 credits)
An examination of modern principles and techniques of leadership and management.  Emphasis is placed on the interactive style of leadership and behavioral concepts of management.

Seminar: Public Policy Analysis  POL 669 (3 credits)
Focuses on evaluation of public policy and programs through a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques, e.g. Models, forecasting, cost-benefit, analysis.

Speech Communication
Communication for Professionals  SPEE 633 (3)
This course is designed to enhance the communication skills of professionals. Students will learn theory and techniques of presentation for academic conferences, professional meetings, business and industry presentations, interviews and group meetings. The use of technology in professional communication will be highlighted.

Urban and Regional Studies
Grants Administration  URSI 553 (3 credits)
Raising resources for public and nonprofit organizations from needs assessment through obtaining funding to managing the grant after it is awarded. ALT-S

Regional & County Development  URSI 555 (3 credits)
Regional and county planning content and procedures, including basic research, land use planning, and Implementation of regulations. ALT-F

Planning Process  URSI 602 (3 credits)
Survey of the history, concepts, values and ethics of public-sector planning. Emphasis on practical and comprehensive approach to developing and implementing plans.

Long-Range & Strategic Planning  URSI 661 (3 credits)
Comprehensive planning process in urban areas, including basic studies, capital improvement programming and exercises.

College of Science, Engineering, and Technology

• Natural resource processes and interactions;
• Physical processes and interactions;
• Human impacts-biological, economic, and social implications;
• Professional careers and employment projections; and 
• Environmental regulations

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Program planning;
• Public policy; 
• Grant writing and administration; and
• Leadership and management

College of Arts and Humanities 

• Advanced oral and written communication skills. 

Transcripts
Transcripts for the Certificate Program are recorded by the  Registrar's Office at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Course Evaluation
Upon completion of each course, students evaluate content and the instructor(s).  These evaluations contribute to the excellence of the Certificate Program.
 

Created January 9, 2003; updated February 10, 2004 .
Minnesota River Basin Data Center  Minnesota State University Mankato
184 Trafton Science Center S, Mankato MN 56001
Phone: (507)389-5492   FAX: (507)389-5493
Email: mrbdc@mnsu.edu