Resource and Environmental Law

From forestry to tourism, from First Nations to park users—we all enjoy Saskatchewan’s natural resources. There are laws and environmental policies in place to ensure the long-term sustainability of our fisheries, forests and wildlife.

If you want to play an active role in ensuring these laws are respected, Resource and Environmental Law will appeal to you. It’s a career that demands a strong belief in what you’re doing, a good understanding of human behaviour and excellent communication skills.

Resource and Environmental Law is a two-year diploma program that specializes in conservation and environmental law enforcement. You’ll develop solid skills in environmental protection, enforcement and investigation. You’ll learn about:

• Indigenous resource rights
• Canadian criminal justice system
• control tactics
• courtroom procedures
• environmental and field investigations
• environmental legislation and compliance
• environmental sampling
• investigative techniques
• park services and enforcement
• wildlife and fisheries management

Hands-on learning is key. You’ll augment classroom learning with lab exercises, simulated field investigations, outdoor camps and work experience. You’ll work with trainers from different government agencies, participate in ride-alongs and more.

Get Your Feet Wet and Hands Dirty

Field camps are a popular part of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Natural Resources programs. We have our own outdoor camp on the north side of Candle Lake. You’ll spend three weeks here in the fall learning a variety of skills. You’ll return for winter camp to learn about working in arduous outdoor conditions. Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s excellent camp facilities give you first-hand experience working in the outdoors, from learning how to pull boats over for compliance checks in the summer to ice rescue in the winter.

Are You Up for the Challenge?

Because jobs in environmental law enforcement can be physically demanding, we put Resource and Environmental Law students through the same fitness test as new RCMP recruits.

Diploma to Degree

Turn your diploma into degree. Resource and Environmental Law grads can transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Arts Resource and Environmental Studies (BARES) program at the University of Regina/First Nations University of Canada or the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (major in Renewable Resource Management) at the University of Saskatchewan.

Your Career

Resource and Environmental Law graduates can choose from a variety of career options. Work in the field as a conservation officer; environmental protection officer; park warden; or fishery, forestry or wildlife officer. Potential employers include environmental agencies, federal and provincial parks, natural resource companies, First Nation communities, even border services or law enforcement agencies.

Potential Careers

Fall

• Prince Albert

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 with a combined minimum 65% average in English Language Arts A30 and English Language Arts B30 (combined), and a minimum of 60% in Workplace and Apprenticeship Math 30 or 60% in Foundations of Math 30 or 60% in Pre-Calculus 30*
• A clear Criminal Record Check
• English Language Requirement

*Previous Saskatchewan mathematics requirement also accepted:

• minimum combined average of 60% in Math A30 and Math B30

Notes:

• It is recommended that students entering the program have basic skills in Microsoft Word© and Excel©.
• For employment purposes, graduates may be required to obtain First Aid certification. Students will be offered the First Aid course FAID 1001 at the beginning of their program.
• For employment purposes, graduates may be required to perform the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE).

Alternative Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

• 250 Arithmetic
• 254 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics
• 253 Reading
• 247 Writing

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission Method

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

2022/23 Academic Year

Year 1 - $9,365
Year 2 - $9,805

International Students

View tuition rates for international students.

Semester 1

COM 106

Technical Report Writing

2

ENVR 101

Environmental Science and Technology 1

2

FORE 102

Introduction to Forestry

2

FTNS 100

Fitness 1

2

GPS 110

Basics of Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

4

MAPS 101

Introduction to Mapping and Compassing

2

RLAW 104

Introduction to Resource Legislation

3

RSRC 101

Elements of Ecology

1

RSRC 103

Forest Ecosystems

4

WILD 101

Ecology, Biology and Management of Saskatchewan Wildlife

2

WORK 126

Work Preparation

2

Semester 2

CAMP 102

Winter Camp

1

CAMP 305

Winter Aquatic Surveys

1

FISH 301

Aquatic Ecology

3

FTNS 101

Fitness 2

2

RLAW 105

Indigenous Resource Rights

3

RLAW 107

Park Enforcement

2

RLAW 108

Canadian Criminal Justice 1

2

RLAW 109

Canadian Criminal Justice 2

3

SFTY 106

Wilderness Survival

1

SFTY 300

Firearm Safety

3

WILD 301

Wildlife Anatomy and Systematics

4

Semester 3

WORK 402

Work Experience

0

Semester 4

CAMP 402

Natural Resources Field Techniques

3

CAMP 413

Resource and Environmental Law Field Techniques

2

CLTR 119

Indigenous Cultural Awareness

2

GIS 101

Geographic Information Systems 1

2

RLAW 201

Responsibilities and Authorities

2

RLAW 202

Field Investigations 1

3

RLAW 203

Field Investigations 2

2

RLAW 204

Gathering Evidence 1

2

RLAW 205

Gathering Evidence 2

3

WILD 411

Wildlife Mgmt Field Techniques

4

Semester 5

ENVR 401

Environmental Science and Technology 2

3

ENVR 402

Environmental Sampling

4

FISH 404

Fisheries Management

3

FTNS 200

Fitness 3

1

PR 401

Professionalism and Ethics in Law Enforcement

2

RLAW 200

Defense Tactics and Fitness

3

RLAW 206

Courtroom Procedures 1

2

RLAW 207

Courtroom Procedures 2

3

RLAW 403

Environmental Legislation and Compliance

3

RLAW 406

Environmental Investigation

2

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

• Candidate Guide
• More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Transfer credit options vary over time; this information is subject to change. Transfer credit options for this program include:

• credit transfers to Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Forest Ecosystem Technology and Integrated Resource Management programs (these three programs include common first-year courses)
• admission eligibility to the First Nations University of Canada: Bachelor of Arts Resource and Environmental Studies (BARES). This degree program is a collaborative initiative between Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the University of Regina (UR) and the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC); (two and one-half additional years of study are required)
• admission eligibility to the University of Saskatchewan: BSc in Agriculture Renewable Resource Management

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

• Women in Trades and Technology

• Environmental Engineering Technology
• Geographic Information Science
• Integrated Resource Management