A minimum of 24 credit hours of EEGS courses are required, with a minimum of 20 credit hours at the 500‐level. All courses must be 400-level or higher.
The Master of Science in Sustainability is offered as a full-time, face-to-face degree, and it is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 32 credits. This program can be completed as a standard 2-year graduate program:
- Year 1: 16 credits (3 EEGS 500-level courses and 1 non-EEGS 500-level elective course)
- Year 2: 16 credits (3 EEGS 500-level courses and 1 non-EEGS 500-level elective course)
Students that complete EEGS courses fulfilling requirements at the undergraduate level that have a corresponding graduate level course (GC 335 - Geographic Information Systems, GC 424 - Environmental Justice, GC 401 - Biogeography, GC 425 - Remote Sensing, GC 431 - Landscape Dynamics and Analysis, GC 444 - Gender and Environment, GC 485 - Community Planning) may not repeat those courses at the graduate level (GC 511 - Biogeography, GC 515 - Geographic Information Systems, GC 524 - Environmental Justice, GC 531 - Landscape Dynamics and Analysis, GC 544 - Gender and Environment, GC 555 - Remote Sensing, GC 585 - Community Planning).
Students need to complete one of two options and select one (1) of five (5) tracks:
Options:
1) Practicum Option: This option involves completing a practicum with an organization or agency. Students apply appropriate analytical problem-solving techniques to complete an assigned project focused on solving an environmental problem. Students completing a practicum would ideally complete 4 credits of GC 591 Capstone/Practicum in Sustainability in the Fall semester of their second year. During the Winter semester of their second year, students would register for 4 credits of GC 598 Directed Studies to finish their deliverable as part of their practicum.
Required courses:
- GC 501 - Seminar in Sustainability Credits: 4
- GC 502 - Proposal Design and Writing Credits: 4
- and 4 credits of approved electives
2) Master’s Thesis Option: This option entails an individual, independent research project that generates new knowledge and is designed to contribute to scholarship. This option is recommended for students who aim to pursue a PhD degree or are interested in research-oriented careers. Students need to have identified a faculty advisor that will guide them in completing their thesis and have that faculty member agree to serve as an advisor. Students completing a thesis would ideally complete 4 credits of GC 598 Directed Studies with their advisor as instructor of record in the Fall Semester of their second year to make progress on their thesis document. During the Winter semester of their second year, students would register for 4 credits of GC 599 Thesis in Sustainability to finish their deliverable.
Required courses:
- GC 501 - Seminar in Sustainability 4 credits
- GC 502 - Proposal Design and Writing 4 credits
- and 4 credits of approved electives
Tracks:
Natural Resource Management
Community Development & Planning
Sustainability Leadership
Spatial Data Science
Individualized
Natural Resource Management
The Natural Resources Management track provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to manage our natural systems in support of a more sustainable future. Courses in this track focus on the theory and practice of natural resource stewardship and the design of adaptable and resilient systems that account for social and ecological complexity. Through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, students learn to apply ecological principles to resource management while fostering collaboration with natural resource organizations. Upon graduation, students are prepared to work in a variety of positions in environmental education or land management with local, state, or federal agencies.
View the Catalog.
Community Development & Planning
The Community Development and Planning Track provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to synthesize social, political, and economic factors that influence the growth and development of sustainable communities. Courses in this track help students become active players in fostering communities that work better and ensure overall well-being. Through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, students will learn to navigate diverse stakeholder perspectives and interests, promote their collaboration, and build consensus to improve communities. Upon graduation, students can apply these skills in government or community-based organizations that can influence evidence-based policies and programs that support social equity, reduce marginalization, and create opportunities for growth.
View the Catalog.
Sustainability Leadership
The Sustainability Leadership track provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to guide and inspire others to take actions that promote sustainability in an organization, a community, or a society. Courses in this track help students identify social, cultural, and environmental challenges and their solutions through collaborative relationships and the adoption of strategies that lead to measurable outcomes. Through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, students will learn how sustainable practices can be integrated into business strategies, organizational cultures, and community initiatives. Upon graduation, students can apply these skills in positions such as city managers, policy analysts, or non-profit leaders.
Spatial Data Science
The Spatial Data Science track provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to apply spatial data science skills to address critical issues in sustainability. Courses in this track help become versed in asking questions relating to patterns and trends on or near the Earth’s surface and applying analytical methods and spatial algorithms to uncover new patterns and processes that can inform problem-solving and decision-making. There will be an emphasis on geographic information systems science, cartography, remote sensing, spatial analysis, and spatial modeling. Through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, students will be positioned to use tools and methods to inform the development of sustainable solutions for public, private, or non-profit organizations.
Individualized
The Individualized track provides students with the opportunity to customize their coursework in sustainability science. They can choose coursework to support their specialization in one aspect of sustainability science (social, environmental, or economic) of their interest, or they can choose courses that support broader training and versatility. Their coursework will be informed through consultation with their academic advisor.