Master Naturalist Non-Credit Certificate

St. Louis Community College offers students an opportunity to earn a Master Naturalist Non-Credit Certificate. 

This program is made possible through cooperation of the St. Louis Audubon Society, the Missouri Native Plant Society, the North American Butterfly Association, the St. Louis Astronomical Society, The Green Center, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, the Endangered Wolf Center, the St. Louis Herpetological Society, the Biology Department of St. Louis Community College at Meramec, and St. Louis Community College Continuing Education. 

The course of study includes credit and non-credit classes. A non-credit Master Naturalist Certificate will be awarded to all students completing all components of the program.

For further information on the Master Naturalist Non-Credit Certificate, please contact the Continuing Education Department at 314-984-7777.  

The program consists of three main components:

1.  Completion of five biology, geology, physical science or horticulture related college credit courses to be selected from the classes listed below.*

• Introductory Biology (BIO: 111)
• Conservation and Ecology (BIO: 117)
• Field Botany (BIO: 119)
• Field Zoology (BIO: 120)
• General Botany (BIO: 124)
• General Zoology (BIO: 110)
• Animal Behavior (BIO:123)
• Ozark Ecology (BIO: 148)
• Marine Biology (BIO: 144)
• Desert Ecology (BIO: 146)
• Introduction to Geology (GEO: 102)
• Earth Science (GEO: 100)
• Environmental Geology (GEO: 103)
• Physical Geology (GEO: 111)
• Introductory Horticulture (HRT: 101)
• Soils (HRT:102)
• Landscape Design I (HRT: 104)
• Ornamental Plants – Trees and Vines (HRT: 206)
• Pest Plant Management (HRT: 227)
• Ornamental Plants – Herbaceous Perennials (HRT: 230)
• Ornamental Plants-Shrubs and Evergreens (HRT:207)
• Plant Propogation (HRT:103)
• Urban Tree Management (HRT:214)
• Introduction to Astronomy (PSI: 111)
• Observational Astronomy (PSI: 115)
• Meteorology (PSI: 123)
• Physical Science (PSI:105)

*Additional credit classes not listed here may qualify for the program.​

2.  Attend six Continuing Education Master Naturalist designated noncredit programs offered through St. Louis Community College in the area of Nature. Two of the required six programs may be taken from the Ecology and/or Horticulture section of classes. Workshop topics include the study of local natural history, Missouri native plants, trees, butterflies, birds, astronomy, climate change, weather and more. Continuing Education offerings may change each semester. For a list of current Continuing Education classes or to register for programs, visit www. stlcc.edu/ce or call 314-984-7777.

3.  Volunteer 25 hours and submit documentation of service from a local nature related organization. Time may include activities from multiple agencies in Missouri. Check with Continuing Education for volunteer opportunities.

Upon completion of these three components, candidates should complete the Master Naturalist non-credit certificate application and a non-credit certificate will be awarded.

Open these brochures to get all the details for the program.