Online Master's Degree Programs in Environmental Management

Are you a problem solver with good communications skills, and do you have a bachelor's degree in one or more scientific fields? Do you wish you could do something to protect the earth and its inhabitants from environmental stress? Online master's degree programs in environmental science and management can enable you to channel your scientific knowledge and skills into a rewarding career.

Graduates of online master's degree programs in environmental science and management can help find practical solutions to environmental problems by:

Protecting populations from the threat of natural disasters
Developing environmental policies
Improving pollution control
Developing alternative energy systems
Conducting environmental impact assessments
Developing ways to minimize the environmental impact of industrial activity

Online master's degree programs in environmental science and management: Coursework

Due to the advanced level of scientific knowledge required in everyday responsibilities, many environmental science occupations require a master's degree. A master's degree can also be a stepping stone to a PhD, which is an advantage or even a requirement for some environmental science occupations.

The exact content of online master's degree programs in environmental science and management varies according to the focus of the degree. You can expect your degree to include subject areas such as environmental law, geography, environmental policies and issues, statistics, technologies and environmental engineering.

Your advanced environmental science degree program should support you in developing proficient abilities in communication, data analysis, risk assessment and research, among others. These are key skills for environmental scientists, who must be able to combine academic proficiency with the ability to present their ideas and findings clearly and persuasively.

Specialist environmental science degree programs include master's degree programs in fire science and emergency management, master's degrees in disaster preparedness, master's in environmental science and master's in wildlife and forestry.

Online master's degree programs in environmental science and management: Careers

The list below details some of the many occupations that your environmental science degree could lead to, plus the median annual salary in May 2009 and projected job growth for 2008-2018, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Atmospheric and space scientists: $84,710; 15 percent
Biochemists and biophysicists: $82,390; 37 percent
Conservation scientists: $60,160; 12 percent
Environmental scientists and specialists: $61,010; 28 percent
Foresters: $53,840; 12 percent
Geoscientist: $81,220; 18 percent
Hydrologist: $73,670; 18 percent

The strong job growth in these occupations reflects an increasing awareness of the impact of environmental degradation on our lives and futures, plus a growing and ever-more complex raft of environmental laws and regulations. The salaries connected with these occupations likewise reflect the demand for environmental scientists, as well as the expertise and high level of education required for most environmental science occupations.

Environmental scientists are mostly employed by federal, state and local governments, science faculties of universities and research establishments, consulting firms, engineering or architectural services and big industry.

For more information about career training and education in environmental science and online education, visit our in-depth Guide to Master's Degrees online. Or, you can browse the online master's degree programs in environmental science through the links below to find the most suitable program for you.