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Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making, Master of Arts

Sustainability is a growing field in both the public and private sectors. The Master of Arts in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making at St. John’s will prepare you for opportunities in a rapidly evolving global community that spans the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. 

Prepare for a rapidly growing career field with a master's degree in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making at St. John's University in New York City!

Sustainability is a growing field in both the public and private sectors. The Master of Arts in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making at St. John’s will prepare you for opportunities in a rapidly evolving global community that spans the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. 

This professional master’s degree program, which is grounded in St. John’s Vincentian Mission, combines science and policy, helping you acquire the skills you need to solve today’s complex environmental sustainability problems. Environmental catastrophes disproportionately affect poor people in underdeveloped regions. As a graduate of the M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making, you will be a leader in addressing social injustice and its impact around the world.

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Degree Type
MA
Area of Interest
Science & Mathematics
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
Required Credit Hours
30

Contact Us

Laura Schramm

Program Director, Environmental Studies (Queens)

Professor

St. Albert Hall, Room 264

718-990-5558

Courses

The M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making offers both a 33-credit non-thesis option and a 30-credit thesis option. The program’s culminating experience includes a choice of a capstone project, comprehensive examination, or thesis, which you will select in consultation with your advisor.

The program offers two concentrations, allowing you to design a curriculum that best fits your individual interests and career goals. Both concentrations—science and policy—combine training in core environmental science topics with coursework designed to train leaders in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making.

In addition to the required capstone project, thesis, or comprehensive examination, you also have the option of completing an internship or independent study to enhance your research and professional development.

 

Requirements

ENV 005

Colloquia

0 credits

ENV 101

Environmental Principles

3 credits

ENV 102

Methods of Environmental Analysis & Sustainability

3 credits

Statistics (Choose One)

PAS 252

Biostatistics

3 credits

SOC/CRM 127; 127L

Statistics for Social Science

3 credits

Research Methods (Choose One)

BIO 248

Biotechniques

3 credits

CHE 101

Instrumental Methods of Analysis

3 credits

Electives (Choose From Among the Following)

BIO 299

Scientific Literacy and Integrity

3 credits

CHE 101

Instrumental Methods of Analysis

3 credits

CHE 200

Environmental Chemistry

3 credits

CHE 202

Separation Techniques in Chemistry

3 credits

ENV 200

Geographic Information Systems

3 credits

ENV 201

Current Topics in Waste Management

3 credits

MPH 316

Global Environmental Sustainability & Health

3 credits

TOX 216

Environmental and Occupational Toxicology

3 credits

TOX 285

Environmental Health Sciences

3 credits

Internship (Optional)

ENV 350

Internship I

3 credits

ENV 351

Internship II

3 credits

Independent Study (Optional)

CHE 260

Independent Study

3 credits

ENV 352

Special Research I

3 credits

ENV 353

Special Research II

3 credits

Thesis Research (3-6 Credits)

ENV 900

Master’s Thesis Research

3 credits

ENV 105T

Master’s Thesis Defense

0 credits

 

 

Required 

ENV 005

Colloquia

0 credits

ENV 101

Environmental Principles

3 credits

ENV 102

Methods of Environmental Analysis & Sustainability

3 credits

Statistics (Choose One)

PAS 252

Biostatistics

3 credits

SOC/CRM 127; 127L

Statistics for Social Science

3 credits

Research Methods (Choose One)

BIO 248

Biotechniques

3 credits

CHE 101

Instrumental Methods of Analysis

3 credits

Electives (Choose From Among the Following)

BIO 299

Scientific Literacy and Integrity

3 credits

CHE 101

Instrumental Methods of Analysis

3 credits

CHE 200

Environmental Chemistry

3 credits

CHE 202

Separation Techniques in Chemistry

3 credits

ENV 200

Geographic Information Systems

3 credits

ENV 201

Current Topics in Waste Management

3 credits

MPH 316

Global Environmental Sustainability & Health

3 credits

TOX 216

Environmental and Occupational Toxicology

3 credits

TOX 285

Environmental Health Sciences

3 credits

Internship (Optional)

ENV 350

Internship I

3 credits

ENV 351

Internship II

3 credits

Independent Study (Optional)

CHE 260

Independent Study

3 credits

ENV 352

Special Research I

3 credits

ENV 353

Special Research II

3 credits

Comprehensive Examination or Capstone Project

ENV 105

Comprehensive Examination

0 credits

ENV 354

Capstone

3 credits

Required 

ENV 005

Colloquia

0 credits

ENV 101

Environmental Principles

3 credits

ENV 102

Methods of Environmental Analysis & Sustainability

3 credits

Statistics (Choose One)

SOC/CRM 127; 127L

Statistics for Social Science

3 credits

Research Methods (Choose One)

GOV 205

Modern Political Research

3 credits

Electives (Choose From Among the Following)

ENV 200

Geographic Information Systems

3 credits

ENV 201

Current Topics in Waste Management

3 credits

GOV 146

American Governmental Process: The Legislature

3 credits

GOV 156

Global Environmental Politics

3 credits

GOV 198

American Political Parties and Interest Groups

3 credits

GOV 212

Global Energy Politics and Policy

3 credits

GOV 218

Public Policy – American

3 credits

GOV 275

Green Political Theory

3 credits

MGD 130

Impact of International Organizations in Global Development

3 credits

MGD 150Sustainable Food Systems, Water, and the Environment3 credits

MGD 172

Project Management and Nongovernment Organizations

3 credits

Internship (Optional)

ENV 350

Internship I

3 credits

ENV 351

Internship II

3 credits

Independent Study (Optional)

CHE 260

Independent Study

3 credits

ENV 352

Special Research I

3 credits

ENV 353

Special Research II

3 credits

Thesis Research (3-6 Credits)

ENV 900

Master’s Thesis Research

3 credits

ENV 105T

Master’s Thesis Defense

0 credits

Required 

CourseNameCredits
ENV 005Colloquia0
ENV 101Environmental Principles3
ENV 102Methods of Environmental Analysis & Sustainability3

Statistics (Choose One)

CourseNameCredits
SOC/CRM 127; 127LStatistics for Social Science3

Research Methods (Choose One)

CourseNameCredits
GOV 205Modern Political Research3

Electives (Choose From Among the Following)

CourseNameCredits
ENV 200Geographic Information Systems3
ENV 201Current Topics in Waste Management3
GOV 146American Governmental Process: The Legislature3
GOV 156Global Environmental Politics3
GOV 198American Political Parties and Interest Groups3
GOV 212Global Energy Politics and Policy3
GOV 218Public Policy – American3
GOV 275Green Political Theory3
MGD 130Impact of International Organizations in Global Development3
MGD 150Sustainable Food Systems, Water, and the Environment3
MGD 172Project Management and Nongovernment Organizations3

Internship (Optional)

CourseNameCredits
ENV 350Internship I3
ENV 351Internship II3

Independent Study (Optional)

CourseNameCredits
CHE 260Independent Study3
ENV 352Special Research I3
ENV 353Special Research II3

Comprehensive Examination or Capstone Project

CourseNameCredits
ENV 105Comprehensive Examination0
ENV 354Capstone3

Career Outcomes

Sustainability is a growing field in both the private and public sectors, with job opportunities in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. As a graduate with an M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making, you will excel in the competencies and values required for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving global community, directly related to the vision and mission of St. John’s.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the job outlook for environmental scientists and specialists will grow by 5 percent (as fast as average for all occupations) through 2031The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identifies environmental Science as one of the top five projected highest paid mathematics and science majors at the master’s degree level. Coupled with projected growth in “green” jobs, this data shows that the M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making is a key opportunity for students interested in environmental sustainability.

Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural and social sciences to protect human and environmental health. Some act as researchers analyzing environmental problems and developing solutions. Others work at the policy level in governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Still others work in the private sector for consulting firms that help companies comply with regulations and policies.

Whether your focus is in science or policy, the M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making will help you develop the knowledge base, professional experience, and background in research to achieve your individual career goals.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Graduate Assistantships

St. John’s University offers competitive graduate assistantships to qualified full-time applicants. These positions typically include tuition remission and a stipend. Read more about Graduate Assistantships.

Graduate Financial Aid

Learn more about additional forms of financial aid available to St. John’s graduate students.

Admission

The M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making is designed to provide students with undergraduate degrees in the natural and physical sciences, social sciences, political science, and humanities with the opportunity to expand their career options to the field of environmental sustainability. We also encourage prospective students with minors in these disciplines to apply.

Applicants must present a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, as well as 3.0 or better in the major discipline. No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.

Applications received by March 1 will receive priority review. Qualified applications received after March 1 will be considered based on available space in the program.

Contact Graduate Admission

Office of Graduate Admission
718-990-1601
[email protected]

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