The best online master’s in sustainability studies will train you to lead the charge against environmental exploitation and global warming.
Sustainability as a job field is rapidly growing as companies scramble to change their practices and consumers alter their habits to avoid causing more damage to the Earth. Additionally, government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency are hiring more graduates than ever before to account for the growing concern over environmentalism and climate change. In short, a master’s degree in sustainability studies may be one of the most valuable credentials for the foreseeable future.
What Is a Master’s in Sustainability Studies Degree?
A master’s in sustainability studies is a broad and interdisciplinary degree that arms you with a lot of scientific and practical knowledge. With this expertise, graduates can take positions as managers and overseers for conservation and environmental organizations and efforts. It provides graduates with the information they need to create sustainable programs and initiatives.
For instance, many companies are looking to overall their shipping practices thanks to global warming, although they can’t afford to get rid of fast shipping altogether. Those with sustainability studies degrees will be able to advise companies on this matter and recommend possible solutions that benefit both the environment and the economics of the company.
Alternatively, sustainability studies graduates can work for nonprofits or environmental organizations and lead the fight against exploitative corporations.
How Much Can You Earn with a Master’s in Sustainability Studies Degree?
Those with a master’s degree in sustainability studies can find themselves in a wide variety of positions and professions, making average salaries dependent on the job rather than a general range. As an example, environmental scientists and specialists earn an average salary of around $71,000 per year. All M.S. degree holders must have some research experience already, making them a great fit for this profession.
Other degree holders may become conservation scientists and foresters. These green professionals can expect an average salary of around $61,000 per year. Depending on prior experience and the bachelor’s degree held, a graduate with an M.S. in sustainability studies can also become an environmental engineer. This leads to a higher average salary of around $88,000 per year.
As the number of sustainability-focused jobs grows in the near future, it’s likely that salary variation will as well.
What Is Required for a Master’s in Sustainability Studies Degree?
A master’s degree in sustainability studies requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field first and foremost. Fields like biology and environmental science are great choices if you’re looking to earn this degree after your bachelor’s. Most programs will also prioritize applicants with some experience in the sustainability field, either in a volunteer or work experience context.
Master’s programs in sustainability studies incorporate interdisciplinary curricula with classes like:
- Environmental science
- Economics
- Political science
- Biology
- Forestry
- Climatology
What Are the Best Master’s in Sustainability Studies Degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
Now let’s check out the 5 best online master’s in sustainability studies!
