Ongoing ecological and environmental crises, such as climate change and deforestation on a massive scale, have spurred scientists, sociologists, and political leaders to develop a vision of environmental sustainability. The worldwide COVID-19 health and health crisis illuminates the need for good and science and practice to lead the way to address contemporary needs without sacrificing the future. Sustainability degrees cover a wide range of topics and areas of focus. What unites education in sustainability is the 1987 United Nations mandate to develop a system “that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
This ranking was compiled according to specific criteria that were established before research. Each school on this ranking must have all of the following attributes:
- a retention rate of no lower than 50%;
- an online graduate degree in sustainability or that relates to the field of renewable energy;
- 100% online availability;
- experiential learning opportunities and/or real-world projects that are directly associated with sustainability;
- expert faculty members in various fields related to sustainability;
- and notability among journalistic and academic resources.
WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MBA IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Program Standouts:
Wilmington University’s online Master of Business Administration in Environmental Sustainability gives students the necessary skills to use technologies in sustainable energy and effect large-scale change in businesses that are updating the environmental policies. The coursework provides an excellent structure for ethical and knowledge environmental business administration. This program is designed to fit the needs and schedules of working adults and business professionals who are striving to improve their knowledge and abilities in both entrepreneurship and sustainable energy. The curriculum emphasizes communication, networking, critical thinking, and analytics, and can be completed in one year.
Campus Location: New Castle, DE
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
Sampling of Coursework:
- Economic and Financial Environment of Business
- Economic and Financial Analysis of Environmental Issues
- Project Management with Sustainable Green Technology
Acceptance Rate: 99.9%
Retention Rate: 58%
Graduation Rate: 68.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MBA IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MBA IN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Program Standouts:
The Franklin Pierce University online MBA in Energy and Sustainability will drastically impact students’ abilities and knowledge in business management, finance, leadership, and energy and resource management that will impact both community and corporate practices in sustainability. The program requires students to assess global renewable energy sources and methods and design strategic plans to create similar practices in their own areas. Coursework includes all of the most modern structures to approach sustainability in business and engaging in social entrepreneurship. Students can create a personalized approach to the program with flexible online courses and excellent support systems.
Campus Location: Rindge, NH
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- The Future of Energy, Business, and Society
- Building a Sustainable Enterprise
- Energy Economics
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 45.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MBA IN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY DEGREE
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MASTER IN LAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Program Standouts:
While the online Master in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences is not a sustainability program specifically, it educates students in environmental management procedures that significantly influence the knowledge and capabilities of professionals in the field of renewable energy. The well-established curriculum brings in course topics from numerous disciplines in the environmental sciences and students complete real-world projects that affect their understanding of manipulating and managing specific ecosystems. Students gain excellent written and oral communication skills that can provide different sectors and organizations with necessary information on the development and strategic planning of harvesting natural resources in a sustainable approach.
Campus Location: Bozeman, MT
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
Environmental Risk Assessment
- holistic Thought and Management
- Wetland Ecology and management
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 50%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER IN LAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES PROGRAM
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MASTER’S IN SUSTAINABILITY
Program Standouts:
Western Kentucky University’s online sustainability graduate degree program is called the Master in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Communities. It is an experiential learning program that values field work and real-world education in community, social justice, and sustainability. Students will work directly with professors and members of their community to help create sustainable structures and use theories and practices learned in the exciting elective courses. Some individuals decided to enhance their master’s degree with a graduate certificate in an applicable area of studies, such as Global Pathways to Sustainability or Gender and Women’s Studies.
Campus Location: Bowling Green, KY
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Perspectives on Social Justices
- Community-Building for Sustainability
- Environmental Justice and Public Spaces
Acceptance Rate: 92.7%
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 45%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER’S IN SUSTAINABILITY DEGREE PROGRAM
VIRGINIA TECH
Program Standouts:
The Online Master in Natural Resources from Virginia Tech is specifically designed to prepare students for careers in environmental sustainability. Students complete flexibly scheduled online coursework and are also required to complete the International Field Experience, during which they gain valuable information concerning sustainable systems from around the globe. There is a variety of elective classes that can specialize the degree in areas such as water and marine systems, cities and urban systems, or business and economy. There is a special, fixed tuition rate for students in this particular major, who can also take advantage of low-interest and interest-free institutional loans.
Campus Location: Arlington, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Global Issues in Environmental Sustainability
- Communication and Influence
- Constructing Sustainability
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 77.5%
Graduation Rate: 83%
LEARN MORE ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH’S ONLINE MASTER IN NATURAL RESOURCES DEGREE
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
ONLINE MASTER IN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Program Standouts:
Students at the University of Denver major in an online Master of Environmental Policy and Management — Energy and Sustainability. This program teaches students how to design, develop, and implement various energy sources. Four elective courses focus the curriculum toward Energy and Sustainability which include interesting topics in policy as well as the energy systems themselves. Students can create a customized degree plan as well that draws from a larger pool of elective courses. Graduates have gone on to become risk managers, energy consultants, sustainability leaders, solar engineers, and more!
Campus Location: Denver, CO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Integrated Environmental Systems
- Renewable and Alternative Energies
- Sustainability: Policy and Practice
- Sustainable Transportation
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 76%
LEARN MORE ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF DENVER’S ONLINE MASTER IN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MASTER IN SUSTAINABILITY LAW
Program Standouts:
This online school provides a Master of Legal Studies in Sustainability Law degree that is intended for non-lawyers. The coursework teaches students about the legal systems surrounding current movements in sustainability and energy, and how to organize and oversee the development of new technologies. Arizona State University is a fabulous online school that has been recognized for its bar passage and academic success as a law school. Students have access to excellent financial aid opportunities, as well. The curriculum covers topics that will give students an excellent foundation upon which to understand and protect organizations involved in the sustainability movement.
Campus Location: Tempe, AZ
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Energy Law and Policy
- Environmental Law
- Land Use Regulation
Acceptance Rate: 82.9%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 43%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER IN SUSTAINABILITY LAW PROGRAM
PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS
ONLINE MASTERS DEGREES IN SUSTAINABILITY
Program Standouts:
Penn State World Campus has numerous online graduate degrees in sustainability, each of which introduces students to exciting and innovative areas of the discipline. This online school answers the ever-growing need for experts in the field of energy and renewable resources by supplying cutting-edge coursework that utilizes state-of-the-art technologies. In the Ecosystem Management and Administration program, for example, students learn to use statistics, geographic information systems, and financial analysis to protect natural resources. Many online students choose to further specialize their degree by completing one of the graduate certificates that are also available at a distance.
Campus Location: University Park, PA
Accreditation:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Business Schools
Program Options:
- Ecosystem Management and Administration
- Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems – Solar Energy Option
- Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems – Management and Policy Option
- Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems – Base Program
Acceptance Rate: 58.1%
Retention Rate: 59%
Graduation Rate: 25%
LEARN MORE ABOUT PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS’ ONLINE MASTERS DEGREES IN SUSTAINABILITY
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
ONLINE GRADUATE DEGREE IN SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
Program Standouts:
The online graduate degree in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison prepares students for positions of leadership in green and renewable energy organizations. Online students get the benefit of learning from top professors throughout the University of Wisconsin System, giving them all of the most expert information and training. Students gain a solid understanding of both business administration and sustainable systems. This online program is one of the most affordable on this ranking with a tuition rate of $689 per credit hour. There are also plentiful financial aid options of which students can take advantage throughout their graduate schooling.
Campus Location: Madison, WI
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Sustainable Water Management
- Economics and Sustainability
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Retention Rate: 95.4%
Graduation Rate: 84%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON’S ONLINE GRADUATE DEGREE IN SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
Countries across the globe are in great need of competent, well-educated, and knowledgable professionals of all kinds in the field of sustainability. This degree list of business, environmental science, policy majors, and more, is an excellent starting point anyone pursuing a career in renewable energies. This ranking provides a diverse listing of educational directions that students can undertake in order to enhance their understanding of implementing sustainable energy policies and technologies in their communities. Graduates from any one of these ten schools will be well-prepared to take on the fight for environmental sustainability.
What will I do as an environmental sustainability professional?
Anything! Students and professionals from all areas are encouraged to enter into a degree that aligns with their current and future pursuits, whether it’s an MBA in Environmental Sustainability or a Master in Legal Studies with an emphasis in Renewable Energies. Graduates will work in the tech field, the business field, in education and more! There are positions available for any environmental sustainability professional, be it in revamping policies and practices at a company or organizations, entering into local politics to change laws, or simply educating your community in the best practices for individuals.
Will I get hands-on opportunities even in online environmental sustainability programs?
Absolutely, you will have hands-on learning opportunities. Many of these programs are based on principles of experiential learning and establish students with local internships and projects wherein they work with professionals in the field. Other programs have balanced curricula inside and outside of the classroom to give students a strong educational foundation and excellent skills in practice. The type of degree you are pursuing in environmental sustainability does not matter—there will be opportunities to experience the real work itself.
Are there many jobs available in this field?
There are jobs of all kinds available in this field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists numerous “Green Careers” available on their website, many of which have excellent job security and comfortable salaries. Students should not feel limited in their pursuit of a career in environmental sustainability. In today’s day and age, there are infinite opportunities to help organizations and communities revamp their green practices and make the world a better place. Many laws are in effect these days that require businesses to have a low carbon footprint, and graduates of one of these find online degree programs can help them achieve those goals!