Ecological Society of America

Requirements for Eligibility: Minimum Education Requirements

Candidates must have completed at least a bachelor’s degree or a higher degree in ecology or a related science that includes the equivalent of at least 30 semester hours of biological science, 9 of which must be in ecology, and at least 12 semester hours of physical and mathematical science.  Degrees must include an introduction to three major areas of ecological inquiry: populations, communities, and ecosystems.

LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION

NEW Ecologist in Training Certification
The ESA Board of Professional Certification (BPC) is pleased to announce that a new certification category, “Ecologists in Training”, has been created for graduating students who have met the education requirements for ESA certification, but do not have the required professional experience for the current certification categories.  This new category will allow young ecologist who have met the education requirements pre-qualify for regular certification. Currently, persons who meet the education requirements must have at least one year of post-graduate professional experience before they can be certified at the Associate Ecologist level.  The Ecologist in Training certification category is intended to document quality education in ecological science to aid the students’ ability to obtain employment, encourage graduating students to remain active in ESA, inspire existing students to take a comprehensive set of ecological and biological courses during their degree program, and remind graduating students of the importance of adhering to the guiding principles of conduct described in the ESA Code of Ethics.   

Ecologist in Training

• Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university,

Associate Ecologist

• Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university,
• AND at least one (1) year of post-graduate professional experience* gained in the performance of research or data analysis demonstrating technical competence in current application of ecological principles and/or theory.  Relevant experience should have been gained at least within the last five (5) years.

NOTE: Course requirements may be met with post-baccalaureate courses from an accredited college or university, but professional experience may not be counted until all academic requirements for certification are met.

Ecologist

• Successful completion of a master’s or higher degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university and at least two (2) years of full-time equivalent professional experience* after degree;
• OR at least five (5) years of professional experience* in addition to the education requirement for Associate Ecologist;
• AND in addition to the experience required for Associate Ecologist, demonstration of ability to perform professional work in ecology such as independent studies, complex data analyses, and formulation and testing of hypotheses must follow completion of the education requirement for qualification at the Ecologist level.  Relevant experience should have been gained at least within the last five (5) years.

Senior Ecologist

• Successful completion of a doctoral degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university, and at least five (5) years of full-time equivalent professional experience* after degree,
• OR at least ten (10) years of professional experience* after completion of the minimum education requirements for certification (qualifying bachelor’s degree or completion of required coursework in post-baccalaureate courses).

Additional experience necessary to qualify at this level includes:

• Demonstration, in work output, of thorough knowledge of the literature and scientific principles and theories of ecology;
• Demonstration of written original contributions or original interpretation of ecological information; and
• Demonstration of technical or organizational competence as evidenced by supervision of projects.

Experience must follow completion of the degree level used to qualify for Ecologist.  Relevant experience should have been gained at least within the last five (5) years.

NOTE: An applicant who does not qualify under the above criteria may submit a statement to the Board of Professional Certification explaining why and how the intent of the education and experience requirements is satisfied.

Streamlined Application Requirements

• Must be a current ESA member,
• Must meet the requirements of a Senior Ecologist,
• Must have a PhD in ecology or a related science and at least ten (10) years post-degree work experience,
• OR a Master’s Degree in ecology or a related science AND have been previously certified as a Senior Ecologist.

* Time spent in graduate school beyond the degree being used for the level of certification sought counts as half-time experience. Length of experience will be evaluated only up to the application deadline (February 1).

ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Certified Ecologists shall conduct their activities in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Ecological Society of America and with the highest standards of professional conduct and personal honor. Those who subscribe to the Code of Ethics are eligible for certification, provided they meet minimum education and experience requirements.