Environmental Science
Master of Science
of All Higher-Ed Institutions
-Center for World University Rankings, 2022
In Best Value Among Arizona's Public Universities
- Payscale, 2022
Quick Facts

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Program Details
Are you ready to solve today’s environmental and resource-use challenges? In the Masters in Environmental Science program, you gain valuable skills and carry out research to further understand soil, water and the environment. You also join a community of distinguished scientists, knowledgeable staff and like-minded, motivated students. Learn to address the diverse environmental challenges at the intersection of biology, chemistry, physics and social sciences to improve the quality of all life. In this interdisciplinary program, you will focus on fundamental science aspects and social facets of Environmental Science.
These graduate-level courses were developed with today’s distance learner and career professional in mind. Through this program, you will build a solid foundation in environmental science as necessary to tackle environmental issues, regulations and compliance in interdisciplinary teams. Environmental core courses deal with the local, regional and global aspects of environmental science and their interrelatedness, intending to provide you with sought-after soft skills.
You will have access to an outstanding academic advising staff who can draw upon several decades of work in diverse environments. You will also have the guidance and support of a faculty member for either your final thesis or report.
There are undergraduate prerequisites in basic math, chemistry, biology and physics courses. Students who lack some prerequisites may be admitted with the missing courses listed as deficiencies. These deficient courses must be completed early in the program. Some of these may be waived by taking a for-credit course at a higher level with prior approval of the Graduate Program Director. Any deficiencies can be taken online.
*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.
Courses
This program consists of 30 units of graduate-level courses. Courses consist of four main components: career skills, core courses, electives and either a final thesis or report.
Career skill courses explore skills sought after in most of today's work environments. Core courses provide in-depth knowledge of environmental physics, chemistry and environmental microbiology. Elective courses allow students to specialize in a particular area of environmental science, or in a complementary field.
Outcomes
Skills
Earning your Master of Science in Environmental Science will build core skills, including:
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Statistical analysis
- Data analysis
- Interdisciplinary team experience
- Critical thinking
- Training of data
- Environmental data analysis
- Environmental issue prevention
- Environmental issues
- Observational skills
- Practical sense of action
- Assessing environmental action
Graduates of the Master of Science in Environmental Science program will be prepared to pursue careers in the following fields:
- Environmental Consulting
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Research
- Environmental Policy Development
- Environmental Justice Advocacy
- Agricultural & Environmental Advisory