Online Master’s Programs in Environmental Science

Graduates with bachelor’s degrees in environmental science may find it beneficial to choose a specialization. Some might want higher-level jobs in environmental science or to change their careers. These students can benefit from an environmental science master’s program online.

Environmental science covers a broad area of topics, but environmental science master’s programs provide opportunities for students to focus on specific areas of interest. Concentrations include climate change, ecology, energy, natural resources, policy, and sustainability. This page introduces master of environmental science programs with the goal of helping learners decide whether to pursue an advanced degree path.

What Can I Learn in an Online Master’s in Environmental Science Program?

A master’s in environmental science online allows students to focus their studies and provides extensive training in research, data, and analysis. It also opens doors to professional paths identifying and formulating policies and remedial action plans to combat problems like increased carbon emissions, rising sea levels, natural disasters, and resource depletion. Because environmental science degree programs involve fieldwork, field trips, and lab work, students should expect a hybrid of online classes and in-person experiential learning.

What Common Courses Are Offered in a Master’s in Environmental Science Program?

Environmental science course content varies depending on the school, program, master’s degree type, and concentration area. The list below contains five examples of common courses offered by environmental science master’s programs, giving you a general idea of what to expect from a master’s in environmental science. These courses cover topics ranging from computer modeling and data analysis to environmental monitoring and policy.

What Exams or Projects Should I Expect?

Environmental science master’s programs typically require a capstone, thesis, or final project. Some programs allow students to graduate if they log enough fieldwork hours instead. A thesis or final project comprises a student’s original research, demonstrating their skills in critical thinking, design, and data analysis. Students work with advisors to produce papers of publishable quality in peer-reviewed, academic, or professional journals.

A capstone often entails applying skills and knowledge gained in the program to a specific environmental problem under the direction of a faculty member.

What Specializations Are Available in a Master’s in Environmental Science Program?

Specializations vary significantly by program and degree, such as environmental science, environmental management, environmental safety and health, resource management, and sustainability. The list below offers three examples of specialty areas.

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

This specialization prepares students to understand, analyze, apply, and evaluate environmental policies. Learners also prepare and implement environmental management plans for transportation, land use, and natural resources.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY

Students explore theories of sustainable development and policy to understand its history. They also assess current policies, comprehend concepts of sustainability, and examine the relationship between environmental policy and sustainable development.

WATER MANAGEMENT

As global water resources decline, specialists must understand watershed processes and legal frameworks to formulate solutions. Topics in this specialization include water law and policy, groundwater contamination, toxicology, and wastewater treatment technologies.

What Can I Do with a Master’s in Environmental Science Degree?

Master’s in environmental science graduates can pursue careers as regulators, analysts, specialists, restoration planners, and ecologists. Consulting firms and state government agencies employ nearly half of environmental scientists, followed by local government, engineering firms, and the federal government.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the following five positions to grow by 8% from 2018 through 2028.

Environmental Scientists

These professionals analyze and develop solutions to environmental problems, such as contaminated land areas and water resources or risks to the environment from construction projects and manufacturing plants.

Climate Change Analysts

As the planet warms, these analysts study the effects of the changing climate on various ecosystems, such as tundra and rainforests. In addition to research, they may also conduct educational outreach and write grants to support their work.

Environmental Health and Safety Specialists

This job focuses on human health and the environment. Typical duties include investigating potential environmental health risks, ensuring that companies comply with regulations, and educating the public about hazardous conditions, such as soil and water contamination.

Environmental Restoration Planners

This position handles the clean-up of contaminated sites, such as nuclear facilities, brownfields, and polluted waterways. They assess damage and formulate remediation plans with associated costs.

Industrial Ecologists

Working with businesses and industries to reduce or eliminate their adverse impacts on the environment, industrial ecologists advise on employing more efficient measures in the company’s operations and provide cost/benefit analyses of various strategies.

How Much Can I Make with a Career in Environmental Science?

A wide range of occupations fall under the umbrella of environmental science, and opportunities in all categories should increase in the coming years. The positions below can’t guarantee set wages, but the following information provides information regarding salary potential and projected job growth for each profession related to a master’s in environmental science.

Online Master’s in Environmental Science Program Accreditation

Top environmental health and protection master’s programs receive accreditation from the National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council, whose criteria include a strong academic natural science curriculum and hands-on fieldwork opportunities for students.

Otherwise, no accrediting organizations exist specifically for environmental science programs. Because environmental science master’s programs tend to anchor in research, students should look for schools with regional accreditation from agencies approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Regionally accredited schools undergo rigorous review to validate their academic quality.

How to Pay for a Master’s in Environmental Science Degree

Funding sources for master’s in environmental science degrees typically include loans, scholarships, and fellowships. Other ways to pay for your degree include working while studying online and campus research assistantship positions or tuition waivers. While online students qualify for financial aid, other funding sources may require some individual research.

Techniques for Financing a Master’s in Environmental Science

Online Study

Master’s in environmental science online programs typically charge lower tuition rates than traditional on-campus programs. Students in these programs can also keep their jobs while earning their degrees.

Research Assistantships

While more common in doctoral programs, some master’s programs in environmental science may offer research assistantships and/or may waive tuition costs. Prospective students should check with their schools of interest to see if those options exist.

Federal Loans

Online environmental science master’s students can apply for direct unsubsidized loans of up to $20,500 per year from the federal government. To apply, complete the FAFSA online.

Scholarships for Master’s in Environmental Science Students

Professional Organizations and Resources

Current and aspiring environmental science students can find additional information and support through professional organizations, which offer networking opportunities, career development resources, and useful information on current topics in the field.

Air & Waste Management Association

Environmental professionals and students benefit from industry publications, continuing education webinars, conferences and other networking events, volunteer opportunities, and a career center. Students can join at a discounted rate.

American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists

This nonprofit provides board certification, training workshops and seminars, and research publications. Student members can join for free, and the academy sponsors a university lecture series and chapters.

Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences

An association of faculty and students, AESS seeks to support environmental scholars and scientists with research information, networking and idea sharing, model curricula and professional standards, career development and mentoring, and professional advice.

Ecological Society of America

This community of ecologists, researchers, educators, and policy makers advocates for its members and offers online access to publications, an annual meeting, certification, networking, and publishing grants. Students receive a discounted rate.

National Association of Environmental Professionals

This organization seeks to develop high-level standards of proficiency and ethics within the environmental profession. It offers an annual conference, member events, webinars, workshops, professional certification, and online research materials.

National Environmental Health Association

NEHA supports its members through advocacy, a “day in the life” of an environmental health professional blog, training and networking events, credentialing, and discounted student memberships.

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Taking a science-based, multidisciplinary approach to finding solutions to environmental problems, this organization offers professional and student memberships. Benefits include online publications, annual meetings, resume posting, mentoring, and networking.

Society for Ecological Restoration

Students can join SER at a discounted “emerging professionals” rate and gain access to training tools, networking opportunities, job and internship listings, and current research on climate change, desertification, and land and water degradation.

Soil and Water Conservation Society

Working for healthy land and clean water, member benefits include newsbriefs and publications, conferences and networking events, committee service opportunities, and advocacy. It offers a discounted student rate.

Water Environment Foundation

This nonprofit educational and technical organization posts water quality and sustainable development news. It also hosts an annual water quality conference and a stormwater symposium, and it provides certification and offers continuing education resources.