Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field of study of the environment and solution to environmental problems and sustainability. Individuals with master's degrees in this field work on problems such as global climate change, pollution control, natural resource management, and more. Each of the following schools confers degrees in enviromental science or similar subjects.
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Kaplan University is one of the nation's largest providers of online education and offers an accredited online programs for a MS in Environmental Policy. The field maintains a high level of demand for skilled and talented professionals and a masters degree can in help students advance their careers in two years. Click Here |
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The MBA and MS programs in Sustainable Futures at American Intercontinental University feature a curriculum that involves foundation and core courses, specialized courses, and the possibility for a capstone course. Courses teach the skills required to manage large-scale change to add value and sustainability to humanity. Click Here |
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The MBA in environmental & social sustainability at Liberty University Online features a curriculum that focuses on the foundations of sustainable business, including the principle of the Triple Bottom Line: people, planet, profit. The Environmental and Social Sustainability degree concentration includes two certificates. Click Here |
The MBA in Environmental Management offered at Post University will teach you the necessary skills needed for management level positions. You will learn valuable skills that you can take into the business world to assist a wide range of companies become more profitable. You will become well versed in all the challenges facing energy needs and the environmental impact that companies have. Click Here |
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The MS in Environmental Policy and Management at Strayer University provides students with advanced curriculum in one of the hottest topics the world faces today. Students will have the opportunity to gain real world experience with ecosystem management. Students will study global environmental change and how organizations can better prepare future generations living on the earth to live in harmony with the ecosystem. Click Here |
Complete Guide to Environmental Science
What careers are found in environmental science?
A degree program in environmental science covers topic areas such as environmental chemistry, biology, geology, climate change, pollution, conservation, ecology, and more. When you graduate with this type of degree, you have a number of career options, all working to understand the environment and work to solve environmental problems. This is a huge career area with workers needed to fill many different roles, and as more and more companies are compelled to take an active interest in the environment, demand for workers will only increase.
Environmental Scientist
It makes sense that many students in the environmental science field go on to take the job title "environmental scientist." In this role, you'll work to research and remedy problems caused by humankind's interaction with the environment. You could also work in conservation and environmental protection, thinking ahead to develop solutions to potential problems. Most environmental scientists get their start working on a team with other scientists, and as you become more experienced in the field, you could be tasked with planning and leading the team on specific research projects.
Many environmental scientists specialize in one area such as soil erosion or air pollution this allows you to take on a more specific job title, such as one of the titles listed below. As a general environmental scientist, you can expect to earn $30,000 to $70,000 per year to start, but if you specialize, not only will it be easier to find a job, but you'll also make more money. You can also earn more money by getting your master's degree or even doctorate, though you can get started working in an environmental science job with just a bachelor's degree.
Urban and Regional Planner
As a urban and regional planner, your job will combine the need to make an area functional for the population living there and protecting the environmental. Eco-workers in this area are sometimes called environmental planners, as you'll deal specifically with areas like air quality, pollution, microclimate, wind and shading chances, geotechnical engineering, and habitat destruction. In this role, it also helps to have an interest in the law, as land development must be done under the constraints set forth by the government.
Conservationist
As the job title implies, conservationists deal specifically with conservation. In this role, you'll serve as an advocate for the species of plants and animals living in a certain ecosystem. Many conservationists are hired by non-profit organizations, though private companies and government departments also hire these professionals to work with environmental planners on land development projects.
Waste Treatment Specialist
Human beings create a lot of waste, and in this role, you'll work to ensure that this waste is managed properly so it has the most minimal effect on the environment as possible. This career path can be further broken down into three roles: solid waste treatment (composting, recycling, incineration, landfill, etc.), waste water treatment (agricultural, industrial, and sewage), and radioactive waste treatment. Most waste treatment jobs are with government-funded departments.
Forester
Forestry is a niche area within the environmental science field dealing with tree resources. You job could include timber harvesting, habitat protection ad conservation, forest restoration, and more. Foresters also often work in forest management, ensure that the woods they oversee can be enjoyed while still being protected. National and state parks, research organizations, and private developers all hire foresters.
Educator
One of the main roles of an environmental scientist is to educate others on the best ways to protect and restore the natural world. You could take this task a step further and make it your complete job by becoming an environmental educator. Educators work in this field at both the secondary and college levels, and you can also become an educator at an environmental or outdoor learning center, such as those found at many parks, zoos, and museums. Some educators also lead groups on outdoor trips, so part of your job might be to prepare for emergencies in the wilderness – knowing first aid and survival skills is a must.
Fundraiser and Lobbyist
Not every environmental job has you working outside on a daily basis. Environmental organizations and foundations hire both fundraisers and lobbyists to represent their causes. On the fundraising team, you could work doing anything from cold calling potential donors to planning benefit events. Lobbyists, on the other hand, work to convince member of the government that your cause is important and new laws need to be in plan to help protect the environment in some manner. These career paths can also lead to working as an environmental lawyer. You'll need extra education for this kind of a job, but work as a law expert in the environmental field can be very rewarding.
Environmental Researcher
The environment can't be restored or protected unless it is understood. Environmental researchers seek to do just that. In this role you could tag animals to learn more about their habits, taking samples of plant life for identification, studying the effects of chemical products on the ecosystem, and more. Most researchers hone their skills in a specific area, working with a single species or habitat to learn all they can in the field and the lab alike. This is a great job option if you have an interest in statistics and chemistry.
Where to Work
The above list of jobs is just a small sampling of the titles available in this field. With a degree in environmental science, you can go on to work in some of the top positions in government departments such as the Department of Environmental Protection, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. You can also work for well-respected national environmental organizations like the Sierra Club, the National Wildlife Federation, Greenpeace, and Friends of the Earth, not to mention state and local organizations near you and privatized companies taking an active interest in environmental restoration and protection. Don't overlook related career options as well, such as working for an outdoor program or camp, educational center, school, law firm with a specialization in environmental law, corporate training program, or zoo. For even more job opportunities, consider going back to school for your master's degree or doctorate in the field.
Database of Campuses offering Masters in Environmental Science Degree Programs
Alaska (Top)
- Alaska Pacific University
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
Arizona (Top)
- University of Arizona
Arkansas (Top)
- Arkansas State University
California (Top)
- Atlantic International University
- Loyola Marymount University
- California State University Los Angeles
- University of California Berkeley
- California State University, Fresno
- University of California Santa Barbara
- California State University
- University of Berkley
- California State University, Chico
- California State University, Dominguez Hills
- San Jose State University
- Stanford University
- University of California, Riverside
Colorado (Top)
- University of Colorado Denver
- University of Colorado at Boulder
- Colorado State University
Connecticut (Top)
- Yale University
- University of New Haven
- Sacred Heart University
District of Columbia (Top)
- Johns Hopkins University
- American University
Florida (Top)
- Florida Institute of Technology
- University of Florida
- Florida State University
- University of South Florida St. Petersburg
- University of West Florida
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Nova Southeastern University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida International University
Hawaii (Top)
- University of Hawaii at Hilo
- Hawai'i Pacific University
Idaho (Top)
- University of Idaho
Illinois (Top)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Knox College
- The University of Chicago
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Illinois at Springfield
Indiana (Top)
- Indiana University
- Indiana University Bloomington
- Purdue University
- University of Saint Francis
Iowa (Top)
- Iowa State University
Kansas (Top)
- University of Kansas
- University of Kansas
Louisiana (Top)
- McNeese State University
- University of New Orleans
- Tulane University
MIchigan (Top)
- Michigan State University
MIssouri (Top)
- Webster University
Maine (Top)
- University of Maine
Maryland (Top)
- Towson University
- University of Maryland
- Towson University
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Massachusetts (Top)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Tufts University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Clark University
- Smith College
- Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- University of Massachusetts Boston
Michigan (Top)
- University of Michigan-Dearborn
- Michigan Technological University
- Michigan Technological University
- University of Michigan
Minnesota (Top)
- Minnesota State University Mankato
- Carleton College
Mississippi (Top)
- Jackson State University
Missouri (Top)
- Lincoln University
Montana (Top)
- University of Montana
- Montana State University
Nevada (Top)
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- University of Nevada, Reno
New Hampshire (Top)
- Antioch University New England
- Franklin Pierce University
- New England College
- Plymouth State University
New Jersy (Top)
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
New Mexico (Top)
- New Mexico Tech
New York (Top)
- Pace University
- Vassar College
- Syracuse University
- City University of New York
- New York University Steinhardt
- Bard College
- The College at Brockport
- Columbia University
- University at Buffalo
- College of Staten Island
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Long Island University
- New York Medical College
- Polytechnic Institute of New York University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
North Carolina (Top)
- Duke University
Ohio (Top)
- Miami University
- University of Findlay
- Wright State University
Oklahoma (Top)
- University of Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State University-Tulsa
Oregon (Top)
- Oregon State University
- University of Oregon
- Oregon State University
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Portland State University
Pennsylvania (Top)
- Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg
- Drexel University
- Duquesne University
- University of Pennsylvania
Rhode Island (Top)
- University of Rhode Island
- Brown University
South Carolina (Top)
- College of Charleston
Tennessee (Top)
- University of Tennessee Chattanooga
- Vanderbilt University
Texas (Top)
- University of Texas at El Paso
- Stephen F. Austin State University
- Texas A&M; University-Corpus Christi
- University of Houston-Clear Lake
- Baylor University
- Texas Christian University
- University of North Texas
- Texas Southern University
- The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Southern Methodist University
- St. Mary's University
- Tarleton State University
- University of Texas at Arlington
- West Texas A&M; University
Utah (Top)
- Brigham Young University
Virginia (Top)
- George Mason University
- Virginia Tech
- University of Virginia
- Virginia Commonwealth University
Washington (Top)
- Western Washington University
- Washington State University Vancouver
- Washington State University
West Virginia (Top)
- American Military University
- American Public University System
Wisconsin (Top)
- University of Wisconsin Madison
- University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
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