Program Overview

The MS Sustainability Science (MS3) Program prepares students professionally for a broad range of sustainability-focused careers in industry, government, or the non-profit sector.  Students will graduate with: (1) a systems-based foundation for analyzing current environmental challenges; (2) pragmatic training and field experiences; (3) critical thinking and communications skills; and (4) knowledge and understanding of the interrelated scientific, social, economic and political underpinnings of environmental problems, solutions, and practices. Our program is practice/career-based, and students will complete a 4-credit practicum with a company, government agency, non-for-profit organization, faculty member, or community group. 

Students in the program will select one of the following areas of concentration to tailor their studies around: 1) Urban Sustainability, 2) Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture, 3) Water Sustainability and Climate Change, and 4) Environmental Quality.   Because MS3 combines core classes and a chosen area of concentration, students will build a strong intellectual foundation for analyzing interconnections between social, economic and ecological systems, and will also develop expertise depth within a given domain.  

The Sustainability Science students often interact with fellow-students from other closely-related graduate programs at the University, including Environmental Conservation (Green Building concentration, and Water, Wetlands and Watersheds concentration), Geosciences, Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, and Architecture, so there are unique opportunities to build a professional network across a wide range of disciplines.

The MS3 Program is deeply committed to training the next generation of leaders in the sustainability field.   An emphasis of our program is on integrated systems thinking and interdisciplinary academic training.  MS3 is designed to equip graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills, and career development to be effective sustainability leaders, managers and professionals in the 21st century.  Our students are highly competitive in the marketplace and have a broad range of career options in virtually every sector, including industry, government, not-for-profit, and education.  Our alumni are advising policy-makers, reporting to top CEO’s, and changing food systems in communities across New England.

The following outlines in more detail the MS3 Program structure.

Core requirements: a set of 4 courses and 2 seminars that provide the intellectual foundation of sustainability and integrate the interdisciplinary core of environmental, social/urban and economic systems.

Concentration: at least 3 courses focus on the student’s chosen area of concentration.  This allows students to gain depth and expertise in their primary area of interest.  MS3 offers the following four areas of concentration: 1) Urban Sustainability, 2) Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, 3) Water Sustainability and Climate Change, and 4) Environmental Quality.

Practicum: one 4-credit practicum where the student earns credit for completing a 150-hour internship.  This experience is typically related to the student’s chosen area of concentration.

Electives: 2 courses available for students to explore studies beyond their area of concentration.  The elective courses are meant to broaden students’ understanding and knowledge of sustainability topics.