ProRanger Philadelphia Program

The ProRanger program is an academic and technical skills training and internship program that is cooperatively administered by the National Park Service and Temple University. The program was established to recruit and train law enforcement park rangers for the National Park Service.

After successfully graduating from Temple University and meeting all program requirements and program standards, ProRangers are eligible for non-competitive conversion to a position as a law enforcement ranger within the National Park Service. Students must apply for positions and be selected under the applicable hiring authority. 

Temple students who have been accepted into the ProRanger Philadelphia program will be required to enroll in the Certificate in National Park Service Management and complete the full complement of academic and training experiences. Participants will take coursework during the academic year to complete the Certificate in National Park Service Management. During the summer periods, the ProRanger interns will be assigned to an internship at a National Park Service site and participate in an academic course that accompanies the internship. The final experience as a ProRanger intern is the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy (PRLEA) at Temple University.

While the primary duties of the ProRanger graduate is protecting people and property, prospective ProRanger interns do not have to be Criminal Justice majors, and students from any academic major or background may apply. More importantly, a ProRanger intern will have an aptitude for working with people with diverse backgrounds, have an interest in the outdoors, resource protection, history and the environment, and have a high standard of ethical behavior.

Please see www.temple.edu/proranger for more information about becoming a ProRanger.

Courses

PRAN 1085. ProRanger Internship 1. 3 to 9 Credit Hours.

Field training is provided with law enforcement and other areas related to park service management as a seasonal National Park Service Park Ranger. Allows a student to clarify career interests, synthesize prior knowledge from the classroom with direct experience, critically examine the national park system in operation, and sharpen analytic and observational skills. NOTE: Students may register for 3, 6 or 9 credits. Permission required. See http://www.temple.edu/provost/careercenter/proranger/ProrangerPhiladelphia.html.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

PRAN 1577. Introduction to the ProRanger Program. 2 Credit Hours.

The ProRanger Internship is designed to provide students with first-hand experience working in a national park. While the emphasis of the course is oriented towards gaining practical experience, students are expected to complete a number of academic assignments to complement their work experience and help provide them with a deeper understanding of the larger context regarding their employment. Permission required.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

PRAN 2085. ProRanger Internship 2. 3 to 9 Credit Hours.

Field training is provided with law enforcement and other areas related to park service management as a seasonal National Park Service Park Ranger. Allows a student to clarify career interests, synthesize prior knowledge from the classroom with direct experience, critically examine the national park system in operation, and sharpen analytic and observational skills. NOTE: Students may register for 3, 6 or 9 credits. Permission required. See http://www.temple.edu/provost/careercenter/proranger/ProrangerPhiladelphia.html.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

PRAN 3001. Professional Preparation Seminar for the ProRanger. 1 Credit Hour.

This is a one-credit optional course that will provide students preparing for summer internships with the National Park Service the opportunity to learn and develop professional skills necessary for working in the National Park Service and other federal agencies. It will focus specifically on preparation for summer internships at national park sites and post-graduation employment with the National Park Service.

Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Fields of study: ProRanger- Natl Park Svc Mgt.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

PRAN 3002. Leadership and Communication in Law Enforcement. 3 Credit Hours.

Law enforcement today faces many challenges which impact missions. Park rangers in the National Park Service (NPS) face encounters and challenges unique to their roles in protecting our national parks as well as dealing with the public. Oftentimes, park rangers are the first line of defense to protect these priceless assets. The role of a park ranger is ever changing and evolving as more parks face real-world crime problems. Students will participate in exercises and assessments to develop cognizance of land management agency policies and procedures while developing professional acumen as a federal law enforcement officer.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

PRAN 3085. ProRanger Internship 3. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.

Field training is provided with law enforcement and other areas related to park service management as a seasonal National Park Service Park Ranger. Allows a student to clarify career interests, synthesize prior knowledge from the classroom with direct experience, critically examine the national park system in operation, and sharpen analytic and observational skills. NOTE: Students may register for 1, 2 or 3 credits. Permission required. See http://www.temple.edu/provost/careercenter/proranger/ProrangerPhiladelphia.html.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.