Post-Baccalaureate Diploma Program

The Institute awards post-baccalaureate diplomas for Certified Stewardship Ecologists. The Stewardship Ecologist Diploma is for students who are completing or have completed their undergraduate education. Courses taken prior to graduation at the 300 level and above may be applied to diploma requirements, but the diploma is awarded only following completion of an undergraduate degree. A principal purpose of this diploma is to develop proficiency in vocational and occupational skills in stewardship ecology - skills required for the application of scientific and ethical principles in the conduct of environmental stewardship. It is designed to meet the need for stewardship ecologists and related positions with employers and service agencies such as natural areas conservancy organizations, departments of natural resources, local governments, planning agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), ecological missions, churches, and denominations. It also is designed to provide the opportunity to do advanced post-baccalaureate work in Christian environmental stewardship. Courses applied to certification may also be double-counted to apply also to the diploma.

Application for Institute Diploma. Persons who are working toward a diploma from the Institute must file a formal diploma application. Those seeking a diploma should apply no later than the beginning of the semester in which they expect to graduate from their home institution. Students working toward a diploma indicate on their enrollment application form or give written notice to the Institute Registrar. Students who are seeking a diploma have priority for admission, course selection, and, following completion of their first academic session, receive additional consideration for fellowships and grants-in-aid. Diploma requirements are revised periodically, and students may comply either with those requirements listed in the Official Bulletin under which they first entered the Institute, or the most recent requirements, at their discretion.

General Requirements. Students working toward the Institute diploma must complete or achieve the following:

a. A baccalaureate degree program at a liberal arts college or university approved by the Institute.

b. An approved major field of study at a liberal arts college or university with an average grade of B or better in the major field of study.

c. An average grade of B or better for courses taken at the Institute.

d. A minimum of four approved courses taken in residence at the Institute for a minimum of 360 contact hours.

e. A minimum of four field courses totaling a minimum of 300 contact hours to be made up of courses from either or both the college and the Institute. (A field course is one in which 50% or more of the contact hours are spent in out-of doors situations. The remaining 50% or less of the contact hours is spent in classrooms, laboratories, government buildings, fish hatcheries, etc.)

f. A minimum of one applied course with a minimum of 45 contact hours. (An applied course is one in which 40% or more of the contact hours is devoted to applications and techniques which are routinely used in occupational and vocational work.)

g. A minimum of two interdisciplinary courses each with a minimum of 45 contact hours. (An interdisciplinary course is one in which no more than 40% of the contact hours is derived from subject matter from a single traditional liberal arts department of field of study. Examples of such departments and fields of study are biology, political science, chemistry, history, physics, geology, and literature.)

Minimum Course Requirement:

a. One course in restoration ecology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.

b. One course in conservation biology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.

c. One course in plant ecology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.

d. Three courses from ecology, natural history, field biology, field botany, field geology, and field courses on specific animal and plant groups, not including introductory 100-level courses, with a minimum of 270 contact hours.

e. One course in environmental ethics or stewardship, with a minimum of 90 contact hours.

f. One course in ecological agriculture, global development, or practical stewardship, with a minimum of 90 contact hours.

g. A minimum of 4 courses and 360 contact hours following achievement of an undergraduate degree.

Minimum Occupational Techniques Requirement: This requirement is met through course work and proficiency tests administered by the faculty of the Institute.

a. Stewardship Techniques. Must demonstrate proficiency at stewardship techniques in at least two of the following areas: ecological restoration, biological conservation, appropriate technology, ecological agriculture, afforestation, or a related field of practical knowledge.

b. Field Techniques. Must demonstrate proficiency in use of topographic maps and aerial photographs for orientation and other purposes under field conditions. Must demonstrate proficiency in management, transport, and safety techniques in terrestrial and aquatic field conditions, geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS) and aerial imagery.

c. Literature and Information Techniques. Must demonstrate proficiency in selecting and managing library and reference materials relating to environmental stewardship ecology by developing a specific topical collection for the Institute "Green Box Collection" or the Au Sable web site. Must demonstrate proficiency in computerized literature search.

d. Observational and Reflective Journal. Must complete and present an observational and reflective field journal that meets or exceeds requirements for such journals in two Institute courses requiring such journals. This journal is prepared to high standards that run parallel to the standards for writing a graduate masters thesis.

e. Must develop a professional portfolio stressing background, skills, and experiences.

f. Practicum. Must engage in practical experience (e.g. an internship) in an aspect of environmental stewardship such as ecological restoration or biological conservation for a minimum of 80 contact hours. This experience must include appropriate training and supervision, performance evaluation, and a two-page summary of these activities. Opportunities for this are provided on site, but may also be gained through work with relevant organizations and agencies.