Environmental Practice

You're a solutions-focused thinker who wants to develop your analytical and critical thinking abilities while gaining science and environmental knowledge. You want to pursue a career that lets you take on environmental challenges while building a diverse network of peers focused on the same goals.

Perhaps you've completed some post-secondary education and explored various science courses, but haven't landed on a major. You see it's time to gain the knowledge and credentials that will let you build a meaningful career in the environmental sector.

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice gives you a flexible program that allows you to personalize your learning and complete an undergraduate degree.

Based on your personal and professional interests in environment and sustainability, you'll choose a path that makes sense for you. You'll study sustainable, scientific and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental policy, management, community development and more, so you can implement and inspire sustainable change.

Flexible choices

This program gives you maximum flexibility in what you'll learn and when you'll learn it. You'll choose from many electives, to shape your current, or future, career path. And you can power through in two years, or take your time to finish in as many as seven. Or, see what makes most sense as you go.

This program is related to the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Practice, but differs in its focus. The courses you'll take are science-based, including:

• environmental health and safety
• environmental management
• geomatics
• green technology
• renewable energy
• science

Professional Certification

The Royal Roads University and ECO Canada (Environmental Careers Organization of Canada) partnership was established in response to the growing need for environmental education that teaches practical, industry-standard skills and prepares graduates for immediate entry to the workforce.

Through this alliance, we are able to provide knowledge and skills training aligned to National Occupational Standards (NOS), and informed by Canada's leading body of environmental labor market research (ECO Canada).

When you have completed the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice program, you will have fulfilled the academic requirements for Environmental Professional (EP) certification through ECO Canada.

Standard admission

• Minimum of 60 post-secondary arts and/or science credits (18 must be science credits, nine of which must be at the second-year level), with a minimum GPA of 'B' (3.00/4.33), from a recognized post-secondary institution; or
• Completion of the Certificate in Environmental Practice (CEP) program (18 must be science credits, nine of which must be at the second-year level) at Royal Roads University, with a minimum GPA of 'B' (3.00/4.33). (The Certificate in Environmental Practice is no longer offered at RRU, however graduates of CEP may be eligible for admission to BEP).

Flexible admission

Applicants who do not meet the Standard Admission requirements will be considered for flexible admission and assessed as follows:

• Applicants who have the required 60 post-secondary credits, but who don't meet the minimum GPA requirement, should have at least 3 years of relevant work experience.

English language requirements

• If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.

All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:

Application form

In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.

Official transcripts

Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.

Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.

All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.

If applicable:

• Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
• Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
• An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
• Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.

Additional requirements for flexible admission

For applicants who will be reviewed under the flexible admission process the following additional supporting documents will be required:

Personal statement

Your personal statement should be no less than a one-page letter indicating your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. Your statement should comment upon your personal and career goals, the expectations you have for the program in relation to the achievement of your goals, and the strengths you feel you can bring to the program.

Letters of reference

It is ideal if one reference letter is based on your work experience and the other based on either your academic performance or community service that you have undertaken. However, two work-related references are acceptable in certain cases. There is no set standard for letter of reference format. The length and level of detail in each letter may vary.

Content of the reference letters should illustrate and support your suitability for admission to the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice program. Content may include how your referee feels you will succeed in the program (and why) and how the program will benefit you. Indication of demonstrated skills, competencies and aptitudes and other relevant information about which the referee can comment is beneficial. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned.

Resume

Your resume should provide as much information as possible, with special attention given to the past ten years of your career. As a guideline, items in your resume should include:

• Education: List all post secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
• Training/professional development: List career related training and professional development programs completed within the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
• Work experience: Please include name of organization, position, length of service and brief description of duties.
• Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
• Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
• Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
• Other relevant information : Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.