Sustainability, MS
Investigate complex environmental, social and economic challenges through a sustainability degree grounded in interdisciplinary science. You can build advanced analytical, research and systems thinking skills, then work with faculty to generate evidence-based solutions that inform policy and guide organizations.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
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
Sustainability master's description
The Master of Science in sustainability is a research-oriented degree program that culminates in writing either a thesis or publishable scientific paper.
The program focuses on knowledge generation and investigating potential solutions to sustainability challenges, and it prepares you for designing and conducting transdisciplinary research. This master's degree program is best suited to you if you're inclined toward natural sciences, economics, engineering or related quantitative fields and are interested in a career in research or academia.
You learn how different disciplines view and approach the challenges of sustainability in theory, research and practice. You develop academic and technical skills as well as the ethical insights that help you understand, research and provide solutions to complex sustainability challenges at the local, regional, national and global levels.
As a sustainability graduate student, you understand the need for a transdisciplinary approach to solving sustainability challenges; you are able to communicate your work to professionals in other disciplines, to policymakers and to the general public; and you have the breadth of vision to incorporate the interconnectedness of social, economic, environmental and technical systems into your research. You have the critical thinking skills necessary to approach sustainability challenges from a systems perspective, the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, and the technical skills to formulate and solve problems at the appropriate scale.
Why study sustainability at ASU?
This program sets itself apart by pairing interdisciplinary sustainability science with advanced research training. Instead of centering on leadership or organizational implementation, you develop the analytical, methodological and scientific expertise to study complex sustainability challenges and generate new knowledge.
You study within ASU's School of Sustainability, the first degree-granting school of its kind in the United States. Its research strength and the interdisciplinary ecosystem of the Rob Walton Global Futures prepare you to become a sustainability researcher, analyst or scholar whose work shapes policy, practice and new ideas.
Transdisciplinary sustainability research anchors this master's degree. You design and conduct studies that culminate in a thesis or a publishable scientific paper, which suits you well if you lean toward natural sciences, economics, engineering or related quantitative fields and want a career in research or academia.
Additional details
Beyond your coursework and research, you can tap into a range of opportunities through the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, along with hundreds of study abroad options and student organizations across the broader ASU community.
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.
32 credit hours and a thesis, or
32 credit hours including the required capstone course (SOS 596)
Required Core (11 credit hours) Electives (15 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The taught-course element of the program is evaluated through course-specific examinations, research papers or applied projects and is considered to have been successfully completed if the student obtains a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Graduate College policies and procedures for fulfillment of degree requirements also must be met. Approved general electives subjects include the following: SOS, ASB, ART, PAF, SGS, POS, SOC, PSB, PHI, COM, CPP, CRD, ESS, NTR, MCO, GCU, SCM, HPS, HST, JHR, JMC, JUS, LAW, LES, PUP, SBS, STS, TDM and URB.
SOS 510 Perspectives on Sustainability (3)
SOS 520 Research Design and Methods for Sustainability (3)
SOS 525 Social-Ecological-Technical Systems: Domains and Interfaces (3)
SOS 589 Community of Graduate Student Scholars (2)
methods (3)
normative dimensions of sustainability (3)
general electives (9)
SOS 596 Capstone: Scientific Paper (6) or
SOS 599 Thesis (6)
SOS 589 is taken twice for two credit hours total.
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 any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The statement of intent should not exceed 600 words and should describe how the applicant's background will contribute to success in the program, and describe how completion of the degree will support long-term career goals. The statement should elaborate on key research questions the applicant wishes to address or problems to solve as part of the plan of study, and it should identify potential faculty advisors. Letters of recommendation must be from three people who can attest to the applicant's academic and professional achievements. At least one letter should be academic in nature.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/15 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
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 on the Rob Walton College of Global Futures study abroad webpage, and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. 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 sustainability master's degree prepares you for
Professionals with expertise in sustainability frameworks and interdisciplinary research skills are in high demand across industries, including business, academia and government. Skills in critical thinking, teamwork, sustainability problem solving and research are valuable to businesses and institutions burdened by wicked sustainability problems.
Students can explore alumni employment data for career insights on theRob Walton College of Global Futures employment data page.
Career opportunities for graduates of this program include:
- chief sustainability officer
- energy analyst
- environmental economist
- industrial ecologist
- natural science manager
- operations consultant
- research associate
- sustainability specialist
- zero waste consultant
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.
School of Sustainability
|
WCPH 3rd floor
SustainabilityGrad@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.
