Resource and Environmental Law

School of Natural Resources and Built Environment

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.

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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.

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.

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.

Career and salary information

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

Sample job title	NOC classification
Enforcement officer-forestry	Forestry technologists and technicians (22112)
Conservation officer	Conservation and fishery officers (22113)
Fishery officer	Conservation and fishery officers (22113)
Game warden	Conservation and fishery officers (22113)

Admissions

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

First Qualified/First Admitted

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.

Tuition and fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

2023-24 academic year

Year 1 - $9,410
Year 2 - $8,530

International students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

Get credit for what you know

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.

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

Institution	Agreement details
Royal Roads University	Royal Roads University agrees to facilitate full block transfer of student(s) from SaskPolytech with appropriate prerequisite qualifications into BS Environmental Practice, and BA Environmetal Practice.
University of Regina/First Nations University of Canada	Graduates having completed a maximum of 60 credit hours from the Resource and Environmental Law diploma program at Sask Polytech with a minimum GPA of 60% may be admitted into the Bachelor of Arts in Resource and Environmental Studies at the University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada.
Vancouver Island University (VIU)	Sask Polytech graduates after April 2019 onward with 2.33 GPA (C+) may be eligible for block transfer into Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection (BNRP) Degree program. Accepted Sask Polytech REL graduates must complete the 60 credits of course requirements for a BNRP degree.

Student awards

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.

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