Environmental Science Degree Guide

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Environmental science is a diverse field that combines the study of the natural sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics and teaches students to apply it to real-world scenarios. Those who study environmental science gain a profound understanding of the interconnected systems of the Earth, as well as develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are needed to tackle the greatest challenges facing the environment today, in order to ensure a better future.

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of environmental science to prospective students is its individuality and the sheer number of possibilities it presents. Given that environmental science as a whole is so broad, students are required to choose a specialization during their undergraduate studies that helps prepare them for a career in a more focused area.

These sub-categories of environmental science can include environmental policy, which deals lobbying for environmental conservation acts and laws, environmental management, which focuses on the resources of the planet and its distribution, and environmental biology, which studies the wildlife within any give ecosystem as a whole and humanity’s impact on it.

Your specific future in environmental science will be predominantly shaped by your own passions and interests, though while an environmental biologist and consultant may wind up with different careers, there is still a distinct path that each student must start with. Obtaining a degree from an accredited institution is the first step toward a future in environmental science.

What Does Environmental Science Mean?

Beyond its textbook definition, environmental science is a field that expands beyond science itself and encapsulates the entire Earth and affects every living organism on it. When a person studies environmental science, they are learning not just about the scientific processes and rules that govern our planet, but also how these laws impact the people and wildlife that are sustained by the Earth and in turn, how their existence alters the environment. It’s a fragile, eternal cycle of interconnectivity that needs passionate people to help preserve it.

If you choose to get a degree in environmental science, you’ll be setting yourself up for a career with a purpose. Whether you choose environmental law or even branch out to a related field such as zoology or oceanography, you’ll be dedicating your life’s work to the planet we call home and making it a better place for everyone and everything on it.

Environmental Science Degrees

There are three main types of environmental science degrees and each will prepare a student for a different aspect of their career. The first is a Bachelor of Environmental Science. This is the undergraduate degree that is required for nearly all entry level environmental science positions. It introduces students to the core aspects of the subjects, such as biology, chemistry, physics and ecology, as well as math and technology. Over the course of four years, students don’t just acquire a plethora of academic knowledge, but also develop analytical skills and are familiarized in scientific procedures and research methods that will later be applied to real-world problem solving.

Undergraduate environmental science students also select a concentration or specialization during their four-year program that introduces them to a specific aspect of environmental science, such as environmental engineering, environmental policy and planning, sustainability and agriculture & forestry.

Many graduates choose to follow up their bachelor’s with a Master of Environmental Science. This program is usually completed in two years’ time and through enriching courses and skill-building projects, allows a student to further explore their area of concentration and as well as prepare themselves for upper level positions in environmental science.

A PhD of Environmental Science is the highest level of academic degree that can be awarded to a student. This is usually pursued by individuals who wish to enter careers in education and become university professors of environmental science or one of its sub-categories. A doctorate program is rigorous and time-consuming, and for environmental science students, it means hours of research and hands-on experimenting as well as taking advanced courses, writing up proposals, assisting professionals with research, presenting dissertations and gaining teaching experience.

Careers with an Environmental Science Degree

If you have a degree in environmental science, you’ll have a wide variety of careers to choose from. Most who enter the workforce with a bachelor’s do so as environmental scientists or specialists. In 2012, environmental scientists held approximately 90,000 positions in the U.S. and 22% of those people worked for the state government full-time in an office or laboratory. Most environmental science careers are rooted in either consulting or management industries, government or engineering.

How Much Does an Environmental Science Degree Cost?

Secondary education varies widely throughout the United States, with tuition prices being affected by geographical location, population, programs and demand. However, the average college’s four-year undergraduate program can cost between $50,000 – $150,000.

Prices can rise based on additional living costs, textbooks and more. Paying for university can be a great burden on many students and families, but it’s not impossible. You may qualify for scholarships offered by the school upon admittance, can search for others to apply to during your free time and apply for free federal grants and student loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Starting Your Education

A degree in environmental science can be obtained through a traditional university and on-site classes, or completed entirely online through an accredited institution. Identifying your learning style, assessing your responsibilities and time availability will all contribute to the method of learning you decide to pursue.

The cost of tuition, program curriculum and the concentrations offered vary among each institution, so it’s important to gather as much information as possible and compare schools in order to determine which school is the right match for you.

Learn more about how to choose the right school and the types of programs that are available in environmental science degrees so you can take the first step to engaging this exciting and dynamic career.