Conservation, MS
Turn your passion for conservation into career-ready expertise. Gain hands-on experience in environmental management, innovation and leadership while engaging with interdisciplinary approaches and solutions to our future's most pressing conservation challenges.
Quick facts
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Conservation, MS degree description
The Master of Science program in conservation provides graduate-level training in the principles and practice of contemporary conservation. You build a strong foundation in conservation science while exploring emerging approaches and innovative models addressing complex environmental challenges. Emphasizing transdisciplinary perspectives and engagement with diverse knowledge systems, the program prepares you for collaborative, community-centered conservation practice.
Through applied coursework and case-based learning, you develop scientific proficiency, technical and analytical skills, and professional competencies such as project management, communication and problem-solving. Optional opportunities for field-based conservation work and internships provide you hands-on experience that reinforces classroom learning.
The program culminates in a directly applied culminating experience that allows you to address real-world conservation challenges.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. You can find more information about education benefits offered by VA at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
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.
Required Core (12 credit hours) Electives (15 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
CNV 501 Conservation in the Anthropocene (3)
CNV 504 Scientific and Data Literacy for Conservation Decision Making (3)
CNV 510 Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Community Engagement (3)
CNV 582 Project Management in Conservation (3)
CNV 593 Applied Project (3)
Students select elective coursework in consultation with the program advisor.
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 Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in biology, conservation, forestry, public policy or sustainability from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: Additional Admission Information The personal statement should not exceed 600 words and should describe the applicant's interest in the MS in conservation and the goals they intend to achieve through the program. Applicants should explain the experiences or motivations that have led them to pursue this program, describe a conservation challenge or problem they are interested in addressing and how it could inform an applied project, and outline their long-term professional goals.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)®, or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.
Application deadlines
| 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
Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the Rob Walton College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Students can find programs specific to their interests at Rob Walton College of Global Futures study abroad, and additional opportunities and information at the ASU Global Education Office. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.
Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for funding for international research, study and professional development through ASU's Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement.
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 estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this conservation master's degree prepares you for
By integrating scientific, technical and community-informed approaches, graduates of the program are prepared for jobs working either within the conservation sector directly, including in NGOs or government positions at the local, national or global level, or as conservation professionals in other sectors and industries.
Career opportunities include positions at the following types of enterprises:
- conservation finance and investment organizations
- corporate sustainability and environmental compliance teams
- corporate sustainability and ESG teams
- education and research institutions
- government agencies
- innovation labs and conservation-focused accelerators
- land management, restoration and conservation organizations
- nonprofit and international conservation organizations
- private consulting and engineering firms
- research and policy institutions
- startups and social enterprises
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.
Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures
|
WCPH 400L2
ConservationFutures@asu.edu
480-727-6963
Admission deadlines
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.
