As public awareness of environmental threats increases, so does interest to pursue a degree in environmental science.
The world is facing a number of environmental issues, from tackling pollution to protecting public health. To solve these problems, we need people qualified in environmental science who understand the nature of these issues and can implement solutions.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of environmental scientists is expected to increase by eight percent by 2028, which is “faster than average.” Given this demand, a number of schools have started to offer their environmental science degree programs online.
In this article, we’re going to break down the top five online bachelor’s degrees in environmental science programs. We’ll explore the background of each of these programs, how much they charge and how each program is structured.
Online Environmental Science Degree Rankings in 2020
There are many schools offering online environmental science degrees. But which one should you attend? That’s a great question and one you’re not alone in asking. To help you decide which program may be right for you, we’ve prepared a list of the top online environmental science degree programs.
#1: Oregon State University
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences
- Tuition: $318 / credit
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 180 credits
At Oregon State University, you can study toward a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences. This degree will prepare you to assess problems and identify solutions for problems related to the environment.
In this course, you’ll cover topics such as oceanography, urban forestry, climatology and ecology. You’ll also be able to choose a specialization so your program studies are focused on the area of environmental science you find most interesting.
As a student at OSU, you’ll be able to access the school’s Ecampus student success team. This team consists of a number of staff members who can help you improve your academic skills, set goals and find support resources. The school also offers a range of campus clubs you can participate in online. Even though you may be studying online, you won’t miss out on student life.
#2: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Earth, Society and Environmental Sustainability
- Tuition: $409 / credit
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 120 credits
The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign offers an online degree in environmental science. This program is suitable for anyone who is interested in the environment and sustainability. As a student in this program, you’ll develop the skills you need in policy, communication and natural science to start your career.
The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign offers students a research internship which counts toward your degree. This will help you develop real-world experience in environmental sustainability.
You’ll be able to choose one of two concentrations to specialize in while earning your degree. These are: science in the Earth system, or society and environment. The university also offers a range of career support services, from helping you prepare for an interview to resume reviews, so you’ll be ready to start looking for a job in environmental science upon graduation.
#3: Arizona State University
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Sustainability
- Tuition: $657 / credit
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 120 credits
Arizona State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Sustainability program. This program allows you to learn about social and human sustainability in global, regional and local contexts.
Courses will cover topics such as environmental economics, physical geography and environmental science. Your studies will help you develop the problem solving skills you’ll need to prepare for a career in sustainability, whether you want to work for a consultancy firm, a governmental organization or as a policymaker.
ASU has a student-to-faculty ratio of 21-to-1, which means you’ll get the attention you need during your studies. In addition, 50 percent of ASU students complete at least one internship before graduating and 87 percent of graduates seeking a job receive an offer within 90 days of graduation.
#4: University of Florida Online
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management
- Tuition: $657 / credit
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 120 credits
With an environmental management bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida Online, you’ll be prepared with the skills and mindset you need to tackle many of the problems impacting our planet today. You’ll learn about soil science, water resources, pest management and more as part of this degree program.
The University of Florida has 43 faculty elections to the National Academy of Sciences Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This demonstrates the prestige of the faculty members from whom you’ll be learning if you study environmental management at the University of Florida.
The school also offers virtual career fairs and networking events. These will help you prepare for interviews, enhance your skills and find potential career opportunities you can pursue. In 2016, the University of Florida was chosen as the #1 school for graduate employability among public universities, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
#5: University of Arizona
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- Tuition: $525 / credit
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 120 credits
The University of Arizona offers an online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science program. This program is designed for people interested in working in environmental science or environmental policy.
In this program, you’ll study topics such as the fundamentals of environmental sciences, pollution, water shortages and soil fertility. You’ll also develop leadership skills which will help you advocate for the environment. These skills are refined through courses in environmental justice, environmental ethics and communicating science.
As a student at ASU, you’ll be able to balance your studies around your schedule. According to ASU, more than 50 percent of their students have children in their home, indicative of the flexibility its programs offer. In addition, PayScale, a salary reporting website, ranked Arizona State University #1 in alumni earnings potential among Arizona Public Universities in 2018.
Online Environmental Science Degree Offerings
Most jobs in environmental science require at least an undergraduate education in either environmental science or a scientific field. An online degree in environmental science will provide you with this education, thus preparing you to enter the field.
There are a number of benefits to enrolling in an online environmental science degree program. Firstly, you’ll have more flexibility over your schedule. Online learning is not tied to a fixed schedule, so you’ll have more control over when you study. Secondly, you may also find that online courses are cheaper than traditional classes because they don’t involve as many physical resources.
There are two main types of online environmental science degrees you can earn:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
Online Environmental Science Bachelor’s Degree
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary subject, so you can expect to study elements of a wide range of subjects while earning a bachelor’s degree. This can range from studying geography to studying chemistry and biology.
Online Environmental Science Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
You’ll need to have a high school diploma to enroll in an online environmental science degree. You may also be expected to meet a minimum GPA and submit your SAT or ACT scores depending on which standard admission requirements the school follows.
Online Environmental Science Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum
The curriculum in an online environmental science bachelor’s degree will prepare you to apply your scientific knowledge to a range of career paths.
Here are the core courses you can expect to study for this degree:
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- Atmospheric Science: This part of the degree involves studying the atmosphere, how it is structured and what impact it can have on different regions on the planet.
- Geoscience: Geoscience is a broad field that teaches you how the Earth evolves over time through its natural processes.
- Ecology: Ecology courses will focus on how organisms like animals and humans interact with the environment and each other. This will help you understand the impact humans have on the environment and how animals respond to different environmental circumstances.
- Environmental Regulation: This part of the degree will prepare you for a leadership position in environmental science. You’ll discover what regulations exist to protect our natural resources and what actions could be taken by policymakers to protect and preserve the environment.
- Climate Change: You’ll study weather patterns, climate change, global warming and how various chemicals impact the environment.
You can also expect to study topics like renewable energy, environmental measurement and environmental management, depending on your field of specialty.
Online Environmental Science Bachelor’s Degree Progression
A bachelor’s degree in environmental science will prepare you for most entry-level jobs in the field. The most common path of progression is to become an environmental scientist or specialist. In these roles, you may be employed by a local government agency, a federal agency or a laboratory; you could also be employed by a non-profit advocacy group.
If you’re interested in advancing to a leadership role in the private sector or a senior government position, a master’s degree will likely be required.
Online Environmental Science Master’s Degree
An online master’s degree in environmental science will enhance your knowledge of the subject beyond a conventional bachelor’s degree. As your studies progress, you’ll start to participate in research and internship opportunities, which will allow you to practice the theory you have learned in the classroom in a traditional employment environment.
Online Environmental Science Master’s Degree Admission Requirements
You’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science to enroll in an online master’s degree program. You may also be asked to submit your college transcripts, which may need to meet a minimum GPA, in order to be accepted into a master’s program.
Online Environmental Science Master’s Degree Curriculum
Toward the start of your degree, you’ll participate in many traditional environmental science courses. These will include research methods in environmental science and ecology.
From there, you will be able to specialize in an area of environmental science you find interesting and want to explore further. For instance, you could specialize in ecology or environmental regulation depending on your interests and the programs your school offers.
To graduate from a master’s program, you’ll have to write an extended research paper on a topic of your choice. This paper will take at least one semester to complete. You can expect much of your second year to be spent choosing a topic and conducting research for your master’s thesis before you actually start writing the paper.
Online Environmental Science Master’s Degree Progression
A master’s degree in environmental science will position you well for a range of careers in environmental science.
You could pursue a job as an environmental scientist, an environmental engineer or a conversation scientist. Once you have worked in an entry-level job for a few years, you should be able to advance to a leadership role.
You can expect to be employed by a research laboratory, government agency or non-profit organization.
What Can You Do With an Environmental Science Degree?
Your degree could be used to pursue a career directly related to environmental science or you could use it to help you pursue a related career, like becoming an environmental lawyer.
Here are a few of the career options available to environmental science degree graduates:
- Environmental Scientist: Environmental scientists conduct research on the environment and will inform businesses, governments and the general public of health risks and environmental hazards.
- Environmental Engineer: Environmental engineers are responsible for researching how buildings impact the environment. They’ll help reduce contamination and waste, and may be involved in the construction of eco-friendly buildings or energy facilities.
- Environmental Lawyer: A career in environmental law will involve using your technical understanding of the environment to change attitudes and policy.
- Conservation Scientist: Conservation scientists are focused on studying land use and will support governments and landowners to decide how to make the best use of land.
- Hydrologist: Hydrologists study how water influences the environment, and how the environment impacts the quantity and quality of available water. They’ll analyze data on how pollution impacts the environment and forecast water supplies.
Career Prospects for Environmental Science Degree Graduates
A career in environmental science comes with excellent long-term career prospects.
Jobs in environmental science are competitive and require specialized study. If you want to pursue a senior role, you’ll need to have significant work experience and an advanced degree. With that said, if you have the right education you should have no trouble breaking into the field.
Salaries for environmental scientists are impressive. This is because environmental scientists are in high demand by a range of organizations, from research labs to government departments. You’ll also be able to earn more as you advance your career.
Here are a few median salaries collected from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for jobs related to environmental science:
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist: $71,360
- Environmental Engineer: $88,860
- Conservation Scientist and Forester: $62,410
- Hydrologist: $81,270
As you can see, jobs in environmental science pay well. Even at the entry-level, you can expect to command a strong salary. In addition, you can expect benefits such as a government pension to be associated with your job if you work for a government agency.
Should I Study Biology or Environmental Science?
If you’re interested primarily in biology, it may be best for you to study toward a biology degree. This will allow you to explore topics like human anatomy and cell structures, traditional biology topics not covered in an environmental science degree. With that said, you may still study environmental science as part of your biology degree.
On the other hand, if you’re interested in working in the environmental sector, a degree in environmental science may be a better option for you. For instance, if you want to work in forestry or environmental science, a degree in environmental science will go a long way.
Do I Need a Degree in Environmental Science?
You may be asking yourself if you really need a degree in environmental science. You may have already started a degree in another subject and are wondering whether you need to change degrees. The answer to these questions depends on the career you’re interested in pursuing.
If you want to work in a scientific role in environmental science, you’ll need a degree in environmental science or biology.
However, not all jobs in environmental science require a degree. There are many jobs available on a volunteer basis or to people who are passionate about the environment and are able to demonstrate that passion effectively.
To summarize, a degree is a good investment if you see yourself conducting research or fieldwork in environmental science. But it’s not your only entry path. Volunteer work or on-the-job training may be an option, depending on the position.
Conclusion
Environmental science is becoming an increasingly important field as global warming and air pollution become bigger issues in our society.
Online environmental science degrees offer you an opportunity to acquire the knowledge needed to secure a job in environmental science. Online programs have the added benefit of offering more flexibility than a traditional, in-person program.
If you’re thinking about a career related to the environment, an online environmental science degree may be a wise investment.
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