Online MES Program (36 credit hours)
The Online Master of Environmental Sustainability (MES) is an accelerated one-year, 36 credit-hour degree program that will prepare you for a career dedicated to transforming environmental science and policy into solutions that promote sustainability practices in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. You’ll get management know-how and technical training that will prepare you to meet the growing demand for “green” jobs across the nation.
Online MES Requirement I: Environmental Sustainability Core (15 credit hours)
The MES core courses provide training in managing environmental projects, as well as in the issues faced and approaches used by environmental agencies. These courses give students the ability to get things done and an understanding of the agency context in which projects occur.
Science, Assessment, and Management (12 credit hours)
| SPEA-E 506/555 | Sustainability Science |
| SPEA-E 511 | Sustainability Assessment |
| SPEA-E 543 | Environmental Management |
| SPEA-E 513 | Environmental Project Management |
Quantitative core (3 credit hours - choose one)
| SPEA-E 538 | Statistics for Environmental Science |
| SPEA-E 518 | Vector-Based GIS |
| SPCN-V 506 | Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making |
Online MES Requirement II: Social and Economic Sustainability Core (6 credit hours)
Social Leadership (3 credit hours)
| SPCN-V 535 | Managing and Leading for Public Affairs |
Social & Economic Context (3 credit hours - choose one)
| SPEA-E 512 | Risk Communication |
| SPEA-L 564 | Local Government Management |
| SPEA-M 547 | Negotiation & dispute Resolution for Public Affairs |
| SPEA-N 521 | The Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector |
| SPCN-N 557 | Proposal Development and Grant Administration |
| SPEA-R 643 | Natural Resource Management & Policy |
| SPEA-S 515 | Sustainable Communities |
| SPCN-V 517 | Public Management Economics |
Online MES Requirement III: Capstone (3 credit hours)
The capstone course allows online MES students to use their knowledge and skills to address a real-world, client-based problem. Students from various backgrounds work together on a semester-long project for an individual, organization, or agency.
| SPEA-V 600 | Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs |
Online MES Requirement IV: Concentration (9 credit hours)
Online MES students can select one of two concentrations. Both concentrations comprises concentration-specific science courses and law, management, and policy courses. Students should ensure their course selections below total nine credit hours. Contact your concentration advisor with any concentration-specific questions.
Science Courses (choose one or two):
| SPEA-E 431 | Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment |
| SPEA-E 451 | Air Pollution Control |
| SPEA-E 501 | Human Behavior and Energy Consumption |
| SPEA-E 522 | Urban Forest Management |
| SPEA-E 555 | Sustaining Urban Ecosystems |
| SPEA-E 562 | Solid and Hazardous Waste Management |
| SPEA-E 574 | Energy Systems in Transition |
Law, Management, and Policy Courses (choose one or two):
| SPEA-L 563 | Planning and Community Development |
| SPEA-L 564 | Local Government Management |
| SPEA-R 512 | Climate Law and Policy |
| SPEA-R 519 | Food Systems and Community Resilience |
| SPEA-R 563 | Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World |
| SPEA-S 515 | Sustainable Communities |
| SPEA-S 516 | Planning for Climate Change and Resilient Urban Communities |
Additional courses may be approved by an advisor.
Concentration Advisors:
Aaron Deslatte | |
Vicky Meretsky |
Science (choose one):
| SPEA-E 527 | Applied Ecology |
| SPEA-E 536 | Environmental Chemistry (*Prerequisite: undergraduate Chemistry) |
Law, Management and Policy (choose two):
| SPEA-L 563 | Planning and Community Development |
| SPEA-P 541 | Benefit Cost Analysis (*Prerequisite: V517) |
| SPEA-R 531 | Water Policy and Economics |
| SPEA-R 563 | Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World |
| SPEA-R 564 | Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Design and Implementation (*Prerequisite: V517) |
| SPEA-R 625 | Environmental Economics and Policy (*Prerequisite: V517) |
| SPEA-R 645 | Environmental Law |
| SPEA-R 674 | Energy Economics and Policy (*Prerequisite: V517) |
| SPEA-S 516 | Planning for Climate Change and Resilient Urban Communities |
| SPEA-V 550 | Energy and Climate Law and Policy |
SPEA-R 521 SPEA-R 535 | Domestic Environmental Policy OR International Environmental Policy |
Additional courses may be approved by an advisor.
Concentration Advisor:
Vicky Meretsky |
Online MES Requirement V: General Elective (3 credit hours)
Students will take one elective degree-relevant course to reach the required 36 credit hours - this can be taken during any fall, spring, or summer term. Students should confer with their academic advisor prior to registration each term to ensure they are making progress toward completing all degree requirements.