Lead Sustainable Change with an M.S. in Environmental Sciences
Elevate your role in sustainable development and policy through our specialized M.S. in Environmental Sciences program. This concentration empowers you to drive transformative change towards a sustainable future.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze environmental issues in a logical manner by breaking down an issue into constituent parts, identifying players and relationships among players in those parts, describing these relationships, recognizing unstated assumptions, distinguishing facts from opinions and distinguishing statements of cause from statements of effect.
- Critically appraise the value of data and information relevant to environmental questions and problems, including the appropriateness and adequacy of any qualitative or quantitative methods used in its compilation. In evaluating evidence or arguments, a student integrates key theories, information from works of recognized excellence and facts and generalizations germane to a field to verify the soundness of arguments.
- Synthesize diverse ideas relevant to environmental science to form a coherent perspective on how best to further research in the field and/or create polices or practices designed to address environmental problems. The parts to be integrated may, to the extent necessary, come from a variety of disciplines.
- Create a research proposal or applied plan of work that includes asking and answering questions relevant to environmental studies, testing hypotheses or assumptions based on previous research or observations, collecting information to analyze the factors involved, modifying the hypotheses or assumptions based on new factors or considerations and then making inferences and recommendations based on findings.
- Design effective ways of presenting data and information from the environmental sciences to others through written, visual and oral means.
Calendario
Don't miss an important date or deadline
Designed for working professionals, UIS programs feature multiple start dates per year, so you can begin at the time that best fits your schedule and complete your degree quickly. View the Academic Calendar
Tuition & Aid
UIS is the most affordable option to earning your University of Illinois degree. Earn a world-class education for less than you’d expect.
Tuition Estimates
On-campus
$14,240*
Online
$15,370*
*These numbers represent an estimate of the in-state tuition cost for this program and do not include fees. To get an estimate of the full cost of attendance check out the cost of attendance page and/or use the tuition calculator.
Ways to Save on Tuition
Admissions
Applying to UIS is simple
We've streamlined our admission process to save you time and effort. Just follow the steps below.
Review admission requirements
No specific admission requirements are listed at this time. Please contact the Office of Admission for more information.
International students, will you need an F-1 student visa to study on campus at UIS? Please review the International Applicants site for additional information.
Complete your application
An email address is required to create an account. To submit a paper application, visit the Resources & Forms page. Find more information about what type of student you are on the Student Types page. Applying for an online program is the same procedure as applying for an on-campus program.
Send your official transcripts
Email your official or certified academic records/transcripts to incomingtranscripts@uis.edu or through any of the major transcript platforms. Photocopies will not be accepted.
Submit required statements/writing sample
If you are a first-year student, a statement of 250-650 words is required for admission. We want to hear about your professional aspirations, intellectual interests, and personal experiences relevant to your choice of a specific academic program. You can upload the required documents on your application status page.
Pay your application fee
You can submit your non-refundable application fee online, after completing the online application. Alternately, it can also be mailed to the university, payable to University of Illinois Springfield.
Domestic students: Undergraduate - $50, Graduate - $60;
International students: Undergraduate - $60, Graduate - $75.
Voted No. 1 public regional university in Illinois
2020 - 2024
Courses & Catalog Information
At the University of Illinois Springfield, you'll find a wide range of courses tailored to your interests and career goals. Explore your program details and get all the essential information you need to plan your future.
Career Outlook & Potential Earnings
Graduates of this program may find opportunities in the following careers. Data sourced from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visu
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Median Annual Wage
$66,810
Wage Range
$49,420 – $102,510
Projected Growth
Below Average
Top Skills:
Typical Education:
Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
Median Annual Wage
$105,870
Wage Range
$76,280 – $167,770
Projected Growth
Below Average
Top Skills:
Typical Education:
Master’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Post-master’s certificate
Industrial Ecologists
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resour
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
Median Annual Wage
$82,220
Wage Range
$52,520 – $140,010
Projected Growth
Average
Top Skills:
Typical Education:
Master’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Doctoral degree
Chief Sustainability Officers
Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.
Median Annual Wage
$213,990
Wage Range
$75,700 – $507,730
Projected Growth
Average
Top Skills:
Typical Education:
Master’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Post-master’s certificate
Climate Change Policy Analysts
Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
Median Annual Wage
$82,220
Wage Range
$52,520 – $140,010
Projected Growth
Average
Top Skills:
Typical Education:
Master’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Doctoral degree
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Median Annual Wage
$94,980
Wage Range
$57,780 – $164,190
Projected Growth
Average
Top Skills:
Typical Education:
Doctoral degree, Post-doctoral training, Master’s degree
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