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Online Education Guide

Guide to College Majors in Environmental Science

What is Environmental Science?

The overall health of a person's life is influenced by his environment. From the cleanliness of the air he breathes, to the purity of water he drinks, to the amount of sunlight he can enjoy, to the abundance of fresh vegetables he eats, it is a simple fact: the environment matters. Environmental scientists and environmental management specialists know this! Professionals in this field are committed to studying the effects of humans, industry, production, and other sources of pollution on nature and the environment. This study is paired with efforts to develop ways to eliminate and curb as much environmental damage to nature, wildlife, and humans as possible. It is the hope of those working in the field of environmental science that a healthy and robust environment will be sustainable for generations to come.

An important goal of environmental science professionals is to find new ways to conserve and improve the ways humans utilize energy and natural resources. For example, environmental scientists were the first to encourage the acts of recycling and reusing, the use of solar power, and the development of hybrid automobiles. Professionals working in this field constantly attempt to come up with an approach to living, creating, and producing that is new, conservation friendly, and appealing to the public. Through their work, environmental scientists convey hope and commitment to a public that is conscious of the interdependent relationship between man and nature. So, in this respect, the efforts of environmental science professionals are certainly not just scientific. In fact, the field of environmental science is also an influential force in political agendas and legal issues.

Environmental scientists and environmental management specialists must be innovative in their approach to their work, constantly seeking new ways to increase their knowledge and expertise. Online and distance learning college degree programs often present appealing options to first time students as well as existing environmental scientists seeking to study the environment, ecology, management, and conservation. Individuals interested in this field of science are often dedicated and committed, and the flexibility of online courses and scheduling allows students to simultaneously couple academic pursuits with field training, fostering innovation while a student pursues a college degree in environmental science.

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Preparing For an Environmental Science Degree Program

There are several things a student should think about when considering attending an environmental science school. Proper preparation is an important and necessary process that will help a potential student solidify his or her choice to pursue a degree in Environmental Science.

The most important way a student can prepare for an Environmental Science degree program is to make the most of science, math, and computer courses offered by his or her high school. Potential environmental science and environmental management students should take every chemistry, geology, biology, physics, and geophysics course available. Not only will such courses provide students with a solid scientific background, but they will also prepare students for the rigorous requirements of intense degree programs.

In addition, a potential student should consider his or her personal interests. The happiest and most successful employees are those who truly care about their work. This is certainly true in the field of environmental science. Many students are drawn to this field of science because they genuinely want to maintain and improve the environment.

A major component not to be overlooked in preparation for a distance learning or online college degree program is choosing the right school. A potential student should research all of the environmental science schools he or she is interested in attending. This research should be as detailed and thorough as possible. Speak with admissions counselors at each school, and explore financial aid and career service programs. If possible, contact a current student and ask him about his experience. While this may seem like a lot of effort, it is definitely worth it when a student finds the ideal degree program for his or her interests and desires.

Another way to prepare for pursuing an Environmental Science degree is to interview a current environmental scientist. Before meeting with a willing scientist, a potential student should prepare a list of questions that will answer everything she wants to know about her potential career. If possible, she should follow the environmental scientist around for a day and observe what a typical day in this field might be like. Not only can this experience excite a student and affirm her decision to pursue a career in environmental science, but it can also provide insight into the day-to-day life working as an environmental scientist.

Career Education in Environmental Science

Graduate and undergraduate degree programs

Environmental Science college majors focus on developing an in-depth knowledge of science and its current and potential environmental applications. This is a broad field of study, so students find many choices and have the option of tailoring personal interest to a specific area of specialization. Perhaps a student intends to develop an initial set of general science skills before pursuing a more intense degree program, or maybe an environmental management engineer professional or an environmental scientist is hoping to specialize in a certain aspect of environmental science with advanced study. Whatever a potential student's interests or goals happen to be, distance learning is an educational resource that offers a variety of opportunity and options.

More accredited environmental science colleges and universities offer degree programs online than ever before, and this is a trend that is expected to grow as advanced technology becomes more readily available. Not only are distance learning and online college degree programs becoming more common, but they also sustain a solid reputation as an intelligent way to pursue a degree while continuing to work. In an online college degree program students virtually participate in internet tutorials, web demonstrations, and interactive labs. Students interact with professionals and students from the comforts of their own homes.

Certificate Programs
Environmental Science certificate programs are a worthwhile way for current academics, researchers, and professionals to gain a more focused knowledge of environmental science. Online environmental science engineering certificate programs are primarily designed for existing environmental scientists who have already obtained a certain level of education. For the most part, such programs encourage students to work on skill sets in a narrow, focused facet of environmental science. For example, because environmental science has implications in law and politics, some graduate level certificate programs allow students to focus on managing the work of other environmental scientists.

Often, working in environmental management is a desirable position reserved for upper-level scientists with advanced education and training. An online certificate would be appealing to any current scientist hoping to advance in this direction. Developing a level of expertise in a specific segment of environmental science could certainly lead to greater employment opportunities and job advancement. It is important to note that certificate programs vary from school to school, so potential students should discuss particular degree programs with school admissions counselors.

Bachelor Degree Programs
Earning a Bachelor of Science degree is the first step for many students pursuing a career in environmental science and environmental management. B.S. Environmental Science and Environmental Management degree programs differ from program to program. Some schools focus on a specific segment of environmental science and teach students about the applications of particular types of pollutants or particular parts of nature. Other B.S. Environmental Science degree programs are more general in nature and provide students with a solid grasp of all of the segments of this field of science. This is something potential students should consider when choosing a program. Additionally, both types of programs will also focus on general science concepts, mathematics, computers, and technology. B.S. programs are thorough, intense, and rigorous.

In addition to developing academic skills, a priority is placed on courses that aid students in developing communication skills. In order for the work of environmental scientists to be implemented, the scientists must be able to effectively explain and convey their ideas, designs, and concerns. Articulation and the ability to discuss environmental technologies is essential to finding success in this field. Online Environmental Science degree programs are well-rounded and offer students a quality education over the internet, making the pursuit of a college degree possible from any location with internet access.

Master Degree Programs
Because environmental science is such a fast paced, technology-based field, it is fairly common for environmental scientists and environment management professionals to earn a Bachelor of Science degree, work in research in order to gain multiple years of work experience, and then decide to pursue possibilities for career advancement with more education. As a result, many environmental scientists choose to pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Science/Environmental Management degree. Students pursuing this degree will study advanced technical skills, conservation theory, and waste management, and they will obtain a sophisticated understanding of everything involved in sustaining and improving the environment so that life can flourish.

Environmental Science or Environmental Management graduate degree programs allow students to specialize their knowledge and skills. Developing expertise is necessary to increase job value and employability in advanced positions. Pursuing a Master of Science degree online is attractive to environmental scientists and management specialists because students are able to increase knowledge without taking time off of work. Also, combining school and work allows environmental scientists and environmental management professionals the ability to test and apply new skills to work experiments before they graduate.

Serving as A Research Assistant: Gain Experience and Unlock Opportunities
Many students often think that it is hard to gain relevant experience while they pursue a college degree. This is not true! An excellent way for environmental science students to gain hands-on experience and set the pace for launching a career is to participate in research assistant programs. College and university professors often work on individual projects during the summer months, and there is a good chance that a professor will allow his best students to serve as his summer research assistants. Participating in such an assistantship is an intelligent way to explore the work and efforts being made in the field of environmental science. Students offered positions as research assistants are demonstrably bright and dedicated, and any student interested in such opportunities should make sure he obtains top-notch grades.

Universities Offering Online Environmental Science Degree Programs:

Columbia Southern University - Online Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Environmental Management
Ashworth University - Online Professional Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Program

What Can You Do With a College Degree in Environmental Science?

Career options for aspiring environmental science professionals

The opportunities for students who obtain environmental science and environmental management degrees are abundant and varied. Increasingly, the work and guidance of environmental scientists has been desired in most industries. An environmental science graduate should prepare himself thoroughly and be hopeful, for his knowledge and skills will be in demand in several different occupational areas. Listed below are just some of the career opportunities in the field of environmental science:

• Environmental Scientist. An environmental scientist studies and researches sources of pollution that negatively impact humans, animals, and the environment. Primarily, these scientists study air, water, and soil and develop ways to improve and better the quality of each of these elements. Environmental scientists lend their knowledge and skills to design and manage waste disposal procedures, to monitor and preserve supplies of water, and to ensure that government regulations are being followed. It is also common for environmental scientists to specialize in a particular area of this field, including environmental ecology, conservation, environmental biology, environmental chemistry, or fisheries science.
  
  
• Environmental Science Manager. After several years of experience, an environmental scientist may have the option of working as an environmental science manager. Commonly, an environmental science manager oversees the work of a team of environmental scientists and takes on more responsibility in ensuring that governmental regulations are strictly enforced. In order to qualify for this type of position, an environmental scientist generally must earn an advanced degree. An environmental science manager must have a thorough understanding of environmental laws and regulations as well as research experience.
  
  
• Environmental Consultant. Environmental scientists can also serve important roles working as environmental consultants. Major corporations hire and rely on environmental consultants to offer guidance in conserving the energy expended in the production process, to monitor the elimination of waste and byproducts, and to make sure that a company's actions are in accordance with government regulations.
  
  
• Geoscientist. A geoscientist studies the composition, physical characteristics, and structure of the earth. Scientists in this field are interested in the geologic past and present of the earth and often use sophisticated instruments to analyze the composition of earth and water samples. Geoscientists are concerned with how the pollution of the environment changes the physical composition and structure of the earth. Scientists in this field work hand-in-hand with environmental scientists.
  
  
• Oceanographers. An oceanographer studies the chemical and physical properties of the earth's oceans and how they impact coastal regions, climates, and weather. The health and stability of the ocean in inextricably linked to the health and stability of the rest of the environment. As such, many of the issues of concern to environmental scientists are also studied and analyzed by scientists specialized in studying the earth's oceans.
  
  
• Science Educator. A science teacher has the unique opportunity of educating and engaging society's youngest generation of citizens. Whether he or she is a high school teacher or a college professor, an environmental scientist who pursues a career in education primarily introduces the concepts of the environment, conservation, pollution, and related technology to students. A science teacher who has first pursued a degree in environmental science will be especially knowledgeable and able to provide a thorough and rigorous academic experience for his or her students.

Job Growth Outlook
Without question, the work of environmental scientists and environmental management professionals will remain important and valued. The demand for stricter governmental environmental policies and regulations of company procedures will continue to open doors for scientists working in this field. Thus, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts that the number of jobs for environmental scientists will grow more rapidly than average through 2012.

The expected increase in job opportunities for environmental scientists is due, partially, to the success in creating a stronger sense of public awareness. Now that the average person is more knowledgeable of environmental concerns, there is an increasing demand for environmental scientists to supervise the quality of the environment and to guide public efforts to conserve, recycle, and to live less environmentally harmful lives.

Salary Information for Careers in Environmental Science

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics concludes that the median yearly income of environmental scientists was approximately $47,600 in 2002. Further, the middle 50% of environmental scientists and environmental management professionals earned between approximately $36,820 and $62,400.

In the field of environmental science, cutting-edge knowledge and innovation is the key to expanding employment opportunities. An environmental scientists who knows more about the latest innovation is often more valuable to a company or government agency. Thus, by continually advancing levels of education, an environmental scientist can make sure that he or she has an updated and current knowledge of environmental research, testing, and innovation. Online degree programs provide an environmental scientist with an attractive way to continue working while expanding the depth of his knowledge.

Certification and Licensure

Currently, there are no specified national required licenses or certificates necessary to work as an environmental scientist. However, students may discover that individual states or locations offer opportunities to earn an optional certificate that recognizes a scientist as certified within the state. Additionally, specific areas of environmental science might offer opportunities for earning certification to professionals who are experts in a certain aspect of the specific field.

Potential students should note that even though there are no required licenses or certificates, it is always a good idea to become involved with available professional associations and organizations. Joining and participating with fellow environmental scientists is a great way to enjoy a sense of professional camaraderie and communal commitment to this field of science. Importantly, joining a professional environmental organization also provides a scientist with opportunities to network, discuss new innovations, and update skills and knowledge.

Professional Organizations and Associations

• Globe Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment
• Geological Society of America
• National Earth Science Teachers Association
• Association of Resource and Environmental Economists
• United Nations Environment Program
• Center for Sustainable Development
• Association for the Environmental Health of Soils
• National Environmental Health Association
• Ecological Society of America
• American Fisheries Society
• Air and Waste Management Association
• Environment Protection Operation
• National Association for EHS Management
• National Registry of Environmental Professionals

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