A masters in environmental management could help you become a leader who plays a pivotal role in problem-solving environmental issues.
In this degree program, you’ll study science, leadership, public policy, sociology, technology and more. You could graduate as a well-rounded professional who’s ready to tackle environmental problems.
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A master’s degree in environmental management could be the next step in developing your career in environmentalism, conservation, safety, and sustainability.
Online Masters in Environmental Management Programs
Do you care about the earth and making sure that people have safe places to live and work? If so, you might want to become a leader in the field of environmentalism. Getting your master’s degree in environmental management could help you work toward that goal.
Environmental management is all about finding solutions to problems. Whether the issue at hand involves restoring an ecosystem, preventing forest fires, increasing sustainability in manufacturing, or developing environmental policies, your expertise could be useful.
Topics studied in this degree program might include:
- Climate change
- Communication
- Conservation science
- Ecology
- Law and public policy
- Risk assessment and management
- Sustainability
In addition to taking core classes in environmental management, you might also study a specific area of this field. You’d take several classes dedicated to that topic. Your choices for a degree concentration could include:
- Public lands
- Urban development
- Climate science
- Ecological restoration
Some environmental management degree programs are tailored toward students who have recently finished a bachelor’s degree and want to quickly advance their careers. In fact, there are schools that offer combined bachelor’s and master’s programs. Those allow you to earn the two degrees back-to-back and save time in the process.
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Other programs are intended for professionals who have been working in an environmental career for a while. A resume that lists several years of relevant experience may be one of the requirements for admission. In such a program, you could build on your experience and develop leadership skills for the next phase of your career.
As you get toward the end of your master’s program, you may have a major project to complete. To go along with your project, you might develop a portfolio of your work that you can show to prospective employers. Such employers might include government agencies, research firms, conservation organizations, manufacturers, and energy providers.
Common roles related to environmental management include:
- Environmental engineer
- Urban developer
- Forester
- Environmental specialist
- Industrial production manager
These are just some of the possible job titles that are possible with this degree program.
Common Online Masters in Environmental Management Concentrations
As a graduate student, you’ll likely want to focus your studies in an area that’s relevant to your career goals. Environmental management is a rather large field, so you can narrow down your training by selecting a degree concentration.
Examples include:
- Climate Change. If you choose to focus your studies on climate change, you’ll study the science involved and also discuss relevant policy initiatives.
- Ecology. If your goal is to be a hands-on conservationist, then you might benefit from a program that emphasizes the science of various ecosystems.
- Energy. In this concentration track, you’ll learn about current energy sources, such as fossil fuels, and you’ll also explore new avenues for energy production.
- Social Issues. Environmental issues are often closely linked to societal issues, such as poverty and health equity, so you may spend your grad program contemplating those connections.
- Urban Development. Studying land use and sustainability in city environments could be useful for a career in urban development or public policy.
Most master’s degree programs require at least two or three courses that focus on the concentration area.
Environmental Management Careers & Salaries
With a masters degree in environmental management, you could begin a career in environmental engineering. There are technologist and technician positions that could help you break into the role. With a master’s degree, though, you’ll probably qualify to take a position as an environmental engineer.
The natural sciences are another key career area for this degree. Two related fields to consider are environmental science and conservation science. Government agencies and consulting firms often hire people for such jobs. For those with experience, working as a natural sciences manager could be a promising option. There may be positions open in research facilities, manufacturing companies, and government agencies.
Another management track to consider is in the field of industrial production. The job might involve being responsible for safety and sustainability during manufacturing processes.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with this degree might work in the life, physical, and social sciences. The median annual salary for that job category is $72,740.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Natural Science Managers | $137,900 |
| Industrial Production Managers | $103,150 |
| Environmental Engineers | $96,820 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,500 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists | $76,530 |
| Foresters | $64,110 |
| Conservation Scientists | $63,750 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $60,730 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $48,390 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians | $47,370 |
Studying environmental management could also contribute to a career focused on environmental issues in a discipline like policymaking or economics.
Some environmental science graduates become urban or regional planners. People in those roles often make decisions about land use and development, so an environmental background could be beneficial.
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People who study environmental management often want to work outside. Outdoor jobs could provide opportunities to do the hands-on work of conservation. Potential careers include being a fish and game warden or a forester.
Forest fires are another important issue for environmental management graduates to tackle. Some people become inspectors who study fires after they occur. Others focus their efforts on preventing forest fires.
Master of Environmental Management Curriculum & Courses
To get your masters degree in environmental management, you’ll probably be required to complete between 36 and 50 credit hours.
Here are some examples of courses your program might include:
- Air Quality: You might study carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution as you discuss indoor and outdoor air quality.
- Auditing and Compliance: An auditing class would teach you to evaluate organizations’ sustainability efforts, safety practices, and regulatory compliance.
- Environmental Microeconomics: This class will address the interplay between environmental issues—both policies and problems—and economic conditions.
- Environmental Technology: There might be a class that introduces you to current and up-and-coming technological tools for environmental professionals.
- Legal and Policy Issues in Environmentalism: Your law and policy class will cover current federal regulations regarding the environment and look at ways to influence policy developments.
- Principles of Land Use: This course will provide geographical, sociological, and environmental tools for making the best decisions about land use and development.
- Regulatory Reporting: You might need to learn how to fill out and submit official reports that are required by federal regulations.
- Risk Assessment Practices: As you learn to evaluate ecological and safety risks, you’ll glean insights from real-world case studies.
- Understanding the Earth’s Systems: In this class, you’ll explore scientific disciplines as they relate to the planet’s land, water, and air systems and their interactions.
- Watershed Management: You can learn to steward water resources and protect the water supply for current and future generations.
Typically, colleges have a core set of classes for all environmental management students, and then there are also concentration-specific courses.
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Environmental Management Program
Going back to college is a big decision, and it’s strategic to find a program that fits your goals and learning style.
As you consider schools, you might take a look at factors such as:
- Accreditation. One of the first things to consider when searching for colleges is whether an institution holds regional accreditation.
- Course selection. Different schools offer different classes, so you can read through the catalog and see if the choices interest you.
- Faculty. It’s helpful to consider who teaches the classes—what degrees they hold, how much industry experience they have, and where their research interests lie.
- Online format. Online programs come in all different styles. A program might be 100% online, or it might have you come to campus one or more times during your studies. The classes might be self-paced or have a set schedule. You may be able to do the work when it fits into your days, or there might be live sessions.
- Professional requirements. Some programs only take applicants who have several years of experience in the field, so it’s beneficial to check out the admissions requirements before you settle on a program.
- Specializations. The concentration you choose may influence what jobs you’re best suited for after graduation, so it’s strategic to search for a school that has a program aligned with your interests.
It’s also beneficial to look into graduation and employment rates to see what kind of results a program produces.
Admissions Requirements
The qualifications for environmental management master’s degree admissions can vary from one school to the next.
In general, you might need:
- Accredited bachelor’s degree and supporting college transcripts
- Online application form and a nonrefundable fee
- Recommendation letters from supervisors or past teachers
- Resume or portfolio that shows experience in an environmental role
- Writing sample that talks about your goals for the program and your career
A minimum GPA, such as 3.0, maybe one of the admissions criteria as well. Some programs also require you to have taken relevant prerequisite courses.
Accreditation
A graduate school that holds regional accreditation has been assessed by an independent organization to testify to its academic quality. You can trust that you’re receiving a quality education at a regionally accredited institution.
Accredited courses are also more likely to transfer to another school or program than nonaccredited ones. Plus, if you want additional education, an accredited master’s degree could help you qualify for a doctoral program. An accredited education can also impact career success.
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Holding a regionally accredited degree might qualify you for industry certification programs or help you secure a promising job.
Environmental Management Licensure and Certifications
Earning industry certifications shows that you are an expert who knows what you’re doing in the field of environmental management. You can list certifications on your resume, and they may bolster a hiring committee’s confidence in you.
Some popular environmental management certifications include:
- Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer (CESCO)
- Certified Environmental Scientist (CES)
- Certified Environmental Systems Manager (CESM)
- Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA)
- Registered Environmental Manager (REM)
To earn some certifications, you’re required to pass a test. Others require a set amount of relevant work experience or certain college degrees.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial assistance makes grad school possible for many students. Whether you need help paying your full tuition or just a portion of it, there may be one or more programs that can help.
Government aid can be a key source of funding. People in grad programs often secure student loans, which may have lower interest rates than private loans. You can look into state and federal student loans.
To learn more, you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may want to consider your scholarship opportunities as well. The more scholarship programs you apply to, the more chances you’ll have of winning awards.
Some colleges automatically consider all students for institutional scholarship funds. You might be able to bolster your financial aid package with outside scholarship awards as well. Finally, you can also check whether your employer will help pay for your schooling.
What Is an Environmental Management Master Degree?
An environmental management masters degree is a graduate program for students who want to play a role in environmental problem-solving.
This degree focuses on scientific studies but also includes courses in areas like public policy, business leadership, and economics. Concentrations are common for this degree. Students may specialize in a subfield like ecological conservation, energy production, or law and public policy.
Students often graduate from this program ready to assume leadership roles related to land use, energy production, conservation, industrial sustainability, and policymaking. It’s a degree that helps equip students with in-demand knowledge and prepares them for diverse career possibilities.
What Can You Do with a Master in Environmental Management?
After graduating with a master’s degree in environmental management, there may be job opportunities for you in government, manufacturing, resource conservation, or scientific research.
One potential line of work is environmental engineering. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers typically make between $59,820 and $153,200 annually. Environmental science is another field to consider. Specific jobs within environmental science include climate change analysts and restoration planners.
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Some people in this field are urban and regional planners who make decisions about land use and sustainable communities. The majority of people in that field work for local governments.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Masters in Environmental Management Online?
Master’s degrees in environmental management often take about 2 years of full-time study to complete. That’s an average timeframe, but it can help you start to make plans for your graduate education.
Online college programs may end up being shorter than 2 years because the students often take classes year-round. Also, the course schedule may be arranged in 8-week blocks so that students can quickly move from one program to the next.
If a program consists of around 36 credits, you may be able to complete it in 1 year if you study full-time and year-round.
What’s the Difference Between an MS vs. MBA in Environmental Management?
Environmental management graduate degrees come in different forms. The most common varieties are the Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Management and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Environmental Management.
| MS in Environmental Management | MBA in Environmental Management |
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Some schools offer a joint program in which you can earn both an MS and an MBA at the same time.
Is a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management Worth It?
Yes, a master’s degree in environmental management is worth it for many students. Sustainability and conservation are popular topics these days, and organizations are looking for professionals to support their environmental research or green initiatives.
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Several jobs related to the environment are experiencing job growth in line with the national average. Over the next ten years, environmental engineering jobs are expected to grow at a 4% rate, and environmental scientist and specialist jobs are projected to increase at a rate of 5% (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Management positions in the natural sciences are expected to see 6% job growth.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Environmental Management Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Columbia Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Duke University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Harvard University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
North Carolina State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Samford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Texas Tech University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Tuskegee University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Findlay is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Houston-Clear Lake is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Kentucky is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Maryland Global Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
UW – Stout is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Virginia Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Webster University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Environmental Management Masters Online
With a degree in environmental management, you could be ready to make a difference in the world around you. This course of study can help develop your expertise in caring for the planet, protecting people’s safety, and developing earth-friendly policies and programs.
For convenience and speed, you could earn your environmental management master’s degree online. Accredited online environmental management degrees can often be completed in less time than traditional programs. Plus, you can do the work on your own schedule from the comfort of your own home.
This may be the case whether it’s an online masters or even an online PhD in environmental management degree program.
You can start exploring accredited schools today to take a look at the benefits that environmental management programs have to offer you!
