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What is Sustainability Studies?

Sustainability Studies is a field of study emphasizing the interdisciplinary approach on sustainability.   Sustainability studies may include a variety of disciplines including: geography, environment, politics, development, ecology, ethics, city planning, landscape architecture, sociology, anthropology, economics, natural resources, urban planning, agriculture, systems thinking, conservation, biology, business, leadership and social responsibility.

The concept of sustainability reaches far beyond the environment to developing best practices for the economy and social equity.   In addition to comprehending and applying sustainability best practices, a degree program in Sustainability Studies may require you to invest in targeted research projects to advance this field of study.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$73,750

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

49.74%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

28,720

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Sustainability Studies Degree

At Harvard University, you can gain insight into critical environmental factors that affect the water, air, climate and ecosystems through their top ranked Sustainability Degree. This master’s degree program teaches how to evaluate and design technologies, practices, and systems which bring sustainable solutions to communities and organizations. Students here develop a deeper understanding of policies, financial models, and technologies that are used to support sustainable development. Graduates of this program have built competency in a variety of quantitative as well as analytical skill-sets.

Acceptance Rate

4.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The World’s top Sustainability Program is offered at Columbia University in the City of New York. MS in Sustainability Management degree is a perfect fit for those who aspire to pursue a career in management which takes into account the environment and the economy. This program trains students to think of ways to transform how organizations do business by formulating and implementing sustainability strategies. This program can be taken full-time or part-time for those with current professional obligations.

Acceptance Rate

5.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Stanford University offers an interdisciplinary coterminal Master’s program in Sustainability Science and Practice. The mission of this program is to prepare leaders to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and just society. This program is designed to equip students with the conceptual and theoretical knowledge and mindsets along with practical skills needed to advance sustainability. Students who completed this program were able to envision a prosperous future for all and have the ability to design practices and cultivate partnerships that build the future.

Acceptance Rate

4.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

University of Pennsylvania offers different programs that are related to environmental sustainability. One example is the undergraduate major in Earth Science. This major provides insights about the various chemical, physical and geologic processes that take place within our planet and on its surface. They also offer a Major in Environmental Studies, Minor in Sustainability and Environmental Management, and Master of Environmental Studies just to name a few. To see the complete list of their programs related to Sustainability Studies, you may visit the UPenn portal today.   

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Duke University has a long list of degree programs that have sustainability as a component. One example is the Certificate in Energy & Environment that they offer. This program is designed to provide students a deeper understanding of the breadth of issues that our society is facing, the need for a clean, affordable and reliable energy. To see the complete list of the programs related to Sustainability Studies that Duke University offers, you may request additional information today.

Acceptance Rate

7.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Bachelor of Science in Sustainability is currently offered at Washington University in St Louis. This program provides the broad fundamental knowledge and skills to drive sustainable outcomes which address today’s urgent environmental, social, and economic challenges. This degree is applicable to a wide range of fields, from design, planning, management, to environmental services in business, and public institutions. The faculty that will train the students are both educators and practitioners with deep knowledge and experience in applying sustainability.

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Northwestern University offers programs in Sustainability and Energy. A curriculum for both undergraduate and graduate levels as well as an undergraduate certificate in sustainability and energy are available. These programs are designed to make advancement in global energy and sustainability solutions through interdisciplinary education, transformational research, and public engagement. They also sponsor a variety of stakeholder engagement programs for on and off campus.

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Tufts University has been serving students across a broad range of interests, including the natural and social sciences, they offer a MS in Sustainability. This program is designed to train future leaders to work in the area of sustainability within a variety of fields and industries with emphasis on just and equitable solutions. Students in this program develop knowledge and skills that are needed to create and support socio-ecological systems that can address the needs of the present at the same time ensure that future generations can flourish. This program is also structured to allow students to enhance and apply their knowledge of natural and built systems that support just and sustainable communities.

Acceptance Rate

14.95

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

University of Southern California offers an Environmental Studies Program. This prepares students for a variety of career options with corporations, government, non-profits, and environmental consulting firms. This program can also be an excellent preparation for law school or graduate studies in environmental science, ecosystems or business. Graduates of this program developed the ability to examine environmental issues through the lens of environmental justice and ethics with consideration of diverse perspectives and varied effects on communities.

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Carnegie Mellon University introduced a Minor program in Environmental and Sustainability Studies that is accessible for their undergraduate students regardless of their college or major. This program has a wide range of electives and it should be discussed with the faculty advisor. As students pursue this program, they will learn how to apply scientific and social perspectives to environmental problems. They can identify and assess sources of environmental and distinguish among scientific methods for evaluating environmental problems.

Acceptance Rate

15.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

University of California – Berkeley’s core mission is to provide an opportunity to use their campus as a research and learning laboratory for sustainability. Due to that end, they offered a program in Sustainability & Carbon Solutions. This program intends to address critical issues and challenges that are faced by the state, nation, and the world. Since UC Berkeley already led a long way in sustainability, be it social, economic or environmental, they are indeed well suited to address even the future challenges that lie ahead.

Acceptance Rate

16.25

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

The School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor lets you explore your passion and develop your potential in your own way. They have a small yet supportive community within a world-class university that provides access to internationally known faculty and a vast alumni network all dedicated to your success. Masters Graduate programs, PhD Programs, and Undergraduate Programs are all available. You can see the complete details via the school’s primary web portal.

Acceptance Rate

22.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Georgia Institute of Technology offers a multidisciplinary program in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management. The curriculum for this program has courses taught in schools across the Georgia Tech campus. This curriculum is structured to make developing individualized courses of study that are designed to supplement student’s current strengths possible. This is proven effective and gives the skills that are necessary to achieve the career goals of the students.

Acceptance Rate

20.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Rhode Island School of Design’s Nature-Culture-Sustainability Studies gives fresh thoughts about today’s greatest challenges. Students in this program develop scholarly expertise in the rapidly evolving field of environmental studies. Students can work closely with faculty experts in social sciences and environmental humanities. Students who complete this program are positioned to make vital contributions in the realms of environmental advocacy.

Acceptance Rate

25.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Bachelor of arts Degrees in environmental Science and environment and Sustainability Studies and minors in Environmental Science and Environmental Studies are currently offered at Wake Forest University. These Environmental Programs provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human-environment interaction. It seeks to identify and apply perspectives from chemistry, geography, economics, law, and ethics just to name a few. These are excellent ways to prepare for careers in the environmental sciences, public health, policy, and administration.

Acceptance Rate

29.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The College of Arts and Science at New York University offers numerous pathways to engage with sustainability. In these programs, students will address challenges that are commonly faced by the environment through coursework, opportunities for research, internships, study abroad, and community engagement. Since the College of Art and Science had a partnership with the NYU Office of Sustainability, their students enjoy many opportunities for co-curricular engagement. They also offer scholarship opportunities for those who qualify.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Sustainability Studies Major at the University of Florida prepares students for global citizenship with a firm grounding in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. This program will let majors explore how to maintain environmental and ecological health and pursue social justice in this rapidly changing world. Students who choose this major are required to complete 33 credits of sustainability studies coursework. Each course must be completed with at least grades of C and a minimum of 15 credits of sustainability studies courses completed at UF.

Acceptance Rate

36.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Sustainability Studies B.A. in Geography at The University of Texas at Austin provide a rigorous and focused study of sustainability methods and content. This program is designed to allow students to complete all degree requirements within four years. Though the program is housed within the department of Geography and the Environment, it also comprises classes from across the university. To see detailed information about this program you may visit the schools web portal today.

Acceptance Rate

31.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

University of California – Davis is known to being committed in growing a green campus. They have been the global leader in sustainability and climate change research and is currently offering a Major Program in Sustainable Environmental Design. In this major, students gain basic skills both in urban and environmental design, green building and local government planning. This program is practically suited for students who have serious interest in the physical form and design of communities as well as to the related public and private processes.

Acceptance Rate

38.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

The Sustainability Science at Bentley College will make you realize that you don’t have to choose between profit or the planet, it will help you understand and advance in both. Though students keep a keen perspective on related business issues, studies on the science of environmental systems will not be neglected. Students will surely know how policy, economics, and other factors can be shaped to reduce environmental risks. If a student chose Sustainability Science major, he or she must complement it with foundational business studies.

Acceptance Rate

46.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

University of Miami offers a certificate in Sustainability. This will equip students with knowledge and skills for implementing positive change through environmentally responsible practices in different fields. It is designed to serve as a curricular adjunct to sustainable initiatives at UM. It also fosters a culture of conservation at the University.

Acceptance Rate

27.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Sustainability Management Master’s degree is currently offered at Stevens Institute of Technology. This program aims to transform your passion for sustainability into a rewarding career which impacts the lives of people and our planet. This program is an excellent preparation to meet the demand for the qualified sustainability professionals. This program is designed to equip you with all the tools needed in leading this new era of sustainable development.

Acceptance Rate

39.96

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

University of Georgia offers a program for the Master’s in Conservation Ecology & Sustainable Development. The primary objective of this program is to train the next generation of conservation professionals. This is a flexible training program that provides interdisciplinary skills in decision-making in the areas of sustainable development and conservation ecology. They also guarantee to perform research that provides hands-on applied field experience for students.

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Worcester Polytechnic Institute gives the intensive technological and social training that prepares students in solving complex environmental problems in our time through a BA program in Environmental & Sustainability Studies. They provide hands-on projects where students will get the chance to work closely with engineers and social scientists. Because of that, students complete this program with a deeper understanding of the impact and relevance of making changes in an intricate system. They also develop the skill in communicating technical information fluently and also know how to implement scientifically accurate at the same time culturally sensitive change.

Acceptance Rate

49.37

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

George Washington University provides many academic departments and degree programs which offer sustainability-related courses. For the Undergraduate Programs, they have majors in Environmental Studies, Civil and Environmental Engineering, BA in International Affairs, and a Minor in Sustainability. For Graduate programs, they have MA in Environmental Resource Policy, MS in Environmental and Green Chemistry, and Masters of Professional Studies in Sustainable Urban Planning just to name a few. They also offer executive education that is related to Sustainability Studies and it can be checked via the schools website.

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Top Sustainability Degrees

A growing number of degree programs exist in sustainable energy studies including the management and science aspects of this industry.  Students in undergraduate and graduate level program will learn how to analyze scientific methods to understand, analyze, and monitor sustainable practices.

Also embedded in the program are the technical tools to integrate complex models and a large body of science to assist in the decision-making process for organizations and government agencies.  A summary of each degree program is listed below to help you better understand the emphasis of each degree.

Sustainability Bachelor Degrees

A bachelor degree is sustainable science or management can be earning in class or via distance learning at many schools.  Online degrees in sustainability provide students with the flexibility to earn a degree remotely and work around existing obligations while earning a valuable post-secondary degree.

Bachelor degrees in this field are conferred as either a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA).  More and more colleges and universities are offering online bachelor degrees in sustainable studies as the demand for distance learning programs increase to match the existing technology.

Likewise, colleges are continuing to evolve and add variants of existing programs to meet the changing needs of students and employers.  An example would include an accelerated degree that condenses the average time to complete a degree from four to three years.

Students can expect to take a number of general education courses in conjunction with core classes as part of their bachelor degree program.  Coalescing liberal arts courses with sustainable topics helps students develop a holistic view of the world along with a well-rounded educational experience.  Core sustainability classes may include an array of overlapping classes that can include:

Environment and Society Agroecology
Principles of Sustainability Natural Resource Management
Contemporary Conservation Issues Pollution and Protection
Landscape Ecology Energy and the Environment
Wildlife Ecology Sustainable Living
Aquatic Ecosystems Environmental Awareness
Biodiversity Environmental Biology
Agriculture Forest Ecology
Social Entrepreneurship General Ecology
Ethics and Social Responsibility Biostatistics
Sustainable Business Wetland Ecology and Management
Environmental Science

 

Sustainability Master Degrees

Graduate students will have qualified by meeting all lower level requirements as established by the university including the appropriate academic courses, degrees, and grade point average.  Some graduate schools offering a Master of Science (MS) is sustainability allow students to craft their own degree plan while others mandate certain classes be taken on a path towards graduation.  To help you understand the MS track with greater clarify, we have created a set of academic clusters to illustrate the various areas of specialization in this field of study.

Sustainability Science – This cluster will focus on the interplay between humans and nature.  Students will be required to integrate a variety of skills and knowledge acquired from lower-level classes such as modeling, measurement, analysis, observation, and a variety of scientific policy and decision-making skills.  Classes in this domain may include sustainability management, sustainable science, and a capstone workshop.

Environmental Modeling and Analysis – Classes in this area are designed to help students analyze a variety of scientific data to understand how human systems can affect current and future environments. The coursework can include ocean science, climate risk, ocean health, pollution control, and earthquake analysis.

Scientific Tools – Master degree students will invest time learning about the many scientific tools and technology available to understand, detect, prevent, adapt, and respond to pressing environmental issues.  The coursework in this domain may include soil remediation, geoengineering, disaster response, groundwater analysis, climate reconstruction, origins of contamination, and biodiversity.

Measurement and Observation – Graduate students registered in this track will leverage a variety of scientific methods used to monitor and observe natural systems.  The information gathered from these methodologies will help produce a data-driven solution given the myriad variables involved.  Tools and skills can include: temporal scales, flux towers, remote sensing, spatial scales, tree-ring datasets, global seismographic networks, atmospheric chemistry instruments, and ground-based radiation spectrometers.

Policy and Management – This domain will help students think deeply about the legal and ethical challenges that arise in the field of sustainability.  Managing a series of sustainable practices must be created within the nexus of the complex interplay between regulations, policies, guidance, and statutes.  The courses in this learning domain may include environmental law, reporting, communications, and operations.

Master degree programs in this field will typically take two to three-years to complete based on full-time study.  Graduate students that successfully complete a master’s degree and the thesis project will be prepared to continue on to earn a PhD in the field or launch a career in industry or research.

Employment in Sustainability Studies

A sustainability studies degree can be a great doorway into several different careers after college. Sustainability can be a challenging and fulfilling career with vast a impact on our well-being. Sustainability officers can exist within government entities and private organizations to help mitigate the effects of human consumption and pollution. Alternative careers outside the traditional careers in sustainability can include any number of the following sectors: politics, economist, teacher, training, consulting, agriculture, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, military, and business.

Careers in Sustainable Energy

The breadth of careers in sustainable management and science continue to expand year over year. As environmental concerns continue to pitch and yaw, more federal and state funds will move into public and private entities to solve pressing issues. Below you will find a summary of career paths you may consider before matriculating or during your studies in this field.

Sustainable Design Consultant Wind Energy Engineer
Ecologist Forest Ranger
Conservation Data Specialist Marine Conservationist
Marine Biologist Preserve Manager
Hydrographic Surveyor Water Resource Engineer
Ecotourism Guide Natural Resource Manager
Chemical Engineer Field Biologist
Director of Sustainability LEED Specialist
Geoscientist Sustainability Consultant
Petrologist Watershed Science Technician
Energy Manager Wetland Specialist
Aquatic Biologist Air Quality Forecaster
Biofuel Production Operator Aquarist
Soil Conservation Technician Sustainability Specialist
Environmental Attorney Watershed Manager
Sustainability Manager Solar Engineer
Geophysical Engineer Environmental PR Specialist
Sustainability Program Coordinator

Sustainability Job Outlook

Employment is sustainable energy is expected to grow at a respectable 9% clip.  The environmental science domain includes fields like conservation, hydrologist, geoscience, environmental engineering, and biophysics.  With political appetite and public sentiment catching up with technology, we will see major advances in sustainability in the coming years.   Additionally, the above average income for qualified professionals in sustainability will attract top talent pushing the bounds of this industry further.

Additional Resources in Sustainability Management

Students, working professionals, and educators may find benefit in connecting with associations and organizations in this domain.  Membership benefits may include resources, tools, grants, scholarships, and continuing education that may be worthwhile for you and your career.

  • National Preservations Institute (NPI)
  • Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP)
  • Sustainability Management Association (SMA)
  • Global Association of Corporate Sustainability Officers (GACSO)
  • International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP)
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

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