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Environmental and Resource Management, MS

Turn your passion for sustainability into expertise that is highly sought-after by companies and organizations. Gain the advanced skills needed to manage environmental impact, use resources more efficiently, and navigate complex regulatory environments. You'll be well-prepared to thrive in this vital and rewarding field.

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Students tour a water treatment facility, exploring sustainable resource systems in ASU's Environmental and Resource Management, MS program.

Quick facts

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.

Accreditation and professional licensure

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Degree description

Through the Master of Science program in environmental and resource management, you gain the regulatory and technical background needed to mitigate the environmental impact of industrial sources of pollution, ensure compliance with environmental regulations, and manage and preserve engineered and natural ecosystems. The program is for you if you have a background in the sciences, engineering, management, natural resources management, environmental health and safety, or other affiliated areas.

The curriculum focuses on areas such as environmental law, water and wastewater treatment, air pollution management, solid and hazardous waste management, management of hazardous materials, soils and groundwater contamination, water law and policy, environmental toxicology, hazardous waste management, natural resources management, occupational health and safety, sustainable development, and international environmental laws and policies.

Curriculum

This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.

30 credit hours and a portfolio, or
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours and a written comprehensive exam, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (ERM 593)

Required Core (6 credit hours)
ERM 502 Regulatory Framework for Toxic and Hazardous Substances (3) or ERM 527 Environmental and Resources Regulations Concepts (3)
ERM 503 Principles of Toxicology (3) or ERM 506 Chemistry of Hazardous Materials (3)

Track Courses (9 credit hours)

Electives or Research (9, 12 or 15 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (0, 3 or 6 credit hours)
ERM 593 Applied Project (3)
ERM 599 Thesis (6)
portfolio (0)
written comprehensive exam (0)

Additional Curriculum Information
Students select either the environmental management track or the international environmental management track.

Students choose one of the culminating experiences listed above. Thesis students take nine credit hours of electives or research; applied project students take 12 credit hours of electives or research; and portfolio and written comprehensive exam students take 15 credit hours of electives or research.

Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives and track courses.


What you'll learn

The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.

  • Apply sustainable development practices and trends to environmental systems
  • Apply legal principles and concepts as described in environmental laws and regulations in order to manage engineered, industrial and natural ecosystems systems
  • Apply management, scientific and technical solutions to natural and anthropogenic environmental problems

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in environmental engineering, environmental and resource management, biology, chemistry, geology, environmental health, environmental management, environmental science, occupational safety and health, environmental technology, industrial hygiene, natural resource management, or a related field.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in their first bachelor's degree program or in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program; a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in nine semester hours of graduate coursework from a U.S. institution; or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable conferred master's degree program from a regionally accredited college or university.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. personal statement
  4. professional resume
  5. two letters of recommendation
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Global Launch at ASU offers an online alternative to standardized testing for international students who are seeking admission to ASU and need proof of English proficiency.

If the applicant does not meet the minimum GPA requirements, the application may still be considered. In certain cases, demonstrated aptitude through professional experience or additional postbaccalaureate education is considered.

Unofficial transcripts may be submitted at the time of application. If admitted, applicants must then submit official transcripts to ASU Graduate Admission Services.

Application deadlines

Fall
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C In Person Rolling*
Spring
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C In Person Rolling*

*A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.


Explore expanded study opportunities

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:


Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Career opportunities

Graduates are employed by industrial operations such as manufacturing and mining industries; federal, state and local environmental and water agencies; environmental firms; utilities; nongovernmental organizations; and international agencies such as the United Nations and the World Bank.

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

Environmental and Resource Management | SUTON 240
polygrad@asu.edu
480-727-1874

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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