Environmental, Energy, and Land Management, BS
Academics
- 1 of only 10 programs in the U.S. accredited by the American Association of Professional Landmen and 1 of the largest.
- 100% job and graduate school placement.
- 2/3 of graduates earn more than $100K a year upon graduating.
- The only accredited program in WV and 1 of only 2 east of the Mississippi River.
- Our program connects students to work with industry leaders to receive hands-on experience and career connections.
- A built-in business minor, giving students a powerful advantage of combining technical skills with essential skills in management, finance, marketing, and leadership.
Energy Production and Operations
ENLM 220
Overview of land development with a focus on technical and cost details associated with energy and related systems. Includes an overview of energy units and production terminology as well as an understanding of the techno-economic aspects related to the development. Will also cover land resources needed for each development and how land cost and availability factor into decision making processes.
Energy Land Management Contracts
ENLM 400
Introduction to mineral and environmental law with specific emphasis on titles, deeds, and leasing instruments commonly used in an exploration effort. Examination of land ownership, estates, land measurement, and leasing including a broad overview of the role of the land manager during the exploration and development of energy resources.
Land Use Planning Law
RESM 450
Focus is on identification and understanding of legal issues related to planning and land use. This involves understanding rights, regulations, and responsibilities associated with land use, planning, and related activities.
Drones in Natural Resource Management
RESM 405
An interest in aeronautical principals, spatial data collection and analysis, and natural resource applications is preferred. Provides training in the use of drones to collect and analyze spatial data in natural resource applications.
Remote Sensing
FNRS 326
Measurement and interpretation of natural resources and environment from photography and radar, infrared, and microwave imagery.
Internships
In 2025, 40% of students in the program were in land-related internships.
3+3 Law Program
3+3 Law Degree Program with WVU College of Law, that allows qualified students to earn a bachelor’s degree and law degree in 6 years instead of 7 years.
Environmental, Energy, and Land Management Club
Environmental, Energy, and Land Management Association club, required to join.
Living-Learning Community
ROOT LLC: The Living, Learning Community for any student in Davis College.
Careers
Students go on to become Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers, Property, Real Estate and Community Association Managers, Wind Energy Development Managers, Lawyers, Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians, Land Administrators, Land Acquisition Specialists, Permitting Specialists, and more.
Ambassador Program
The Davis College Student Ambassador program consists of student representatives who serve as a resource for prospective students to ask questions and as outreach counselors for K-12 enrichment events.
Industry Growth
Employment of environment, energy, and land management occupations plans to grow by 3-4% through 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Agricultural Sciences Building
WVU Natural Resource Analysis Center
The Natural Resource Analysis Center provides geospatially-based research, teaching, and service focused on environmental and natural resource issues for West Virginia, the surrounding Appalachian region, and beyond.
Areas of expertise at NRAC include landscape analysis, watershed-based modeling and applications, remote sensing, spatial decision support, energy issues, and economic development.
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