Sustainability
December 6, 2024 2024-12-17 15:32Sustainability
Online M.S. in
Sustainability
Achieve sustainable
practices for our society.
18+ Months
10 Courses
30 Hours
$985/CH
The M.S. in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management will help you advance your career or step into a new job in a growing field. This flexible, 100% online, 30-credit-hour, 10-course degree program can be completed in 18 months. The degree builds an understanding of the science, policies, technologies, financial models, and practices that support sustainable development, preparing students to lead their organizations to a more sustainable future.
Admissions Deadline
Rolling admissions (applications due 14 days before the intended start date).
Program Start Terms
Fall, Spring
Academic Term
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Master's Degree
Lead in Today's World
Higher ROI for graduates with a master’s degree, additional earning potential, and increased access to job opportunities imply significant value for a degree focused on sustainability. Employer-advertised potential ROI of at least $21,500 higher salary for those with a master’s, with an average median salary of $100,200 annually (Emsi Burning Glass, 2022).
A Collaborative Impact
Students will take a required group project elective to demonstrate the combined materials learned from all courses in dissertation format. Possible projects could be recycling asphalt, techno-economic analysis of CO2 sequestration, cradle-to-cradle design of materials, etc.
A Diverse Experience
OU Online’s M.S. in Sustainability is open to students of all backgrounds. This makes pivoting to a sustainability career easier for interested students who may not have a STEM or engineering-specific background. This will help students meet the rising pressure to understand, comply with, and implement governance surrounding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sustainability regulations.
OU Online graduates find employment within six months after graduation*
OU Online graduates report earning an annual salary of $75,000 or more*
OU Online students say the skills they gained in their program made them more competitive in their career field*
*Source: OU Online Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023
Pursue your Sustainability Master's degree
Offered through the University of Oklahoma’s Gallogly College of Engineering, the online Master of Science in Sustainability intends to focus on the energy and materials sectors of sustainability, leveraging the current expertise and cutting-edge research conducted within the School of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, while diversifying the economy, fulfilling socio-economic gaps identified by the policymakers and enabling under-represented minorities to engage in managerial positions successfully. Focusing on the energy and materials sectors, the degree integrates relevant economics, social sciences, project management, and leadership studies, empowering students to be change agents and equipping them with the skills to develop solutions that move the world forward.
Students can start in the fall or spring, joining synchronous sessions led by world-class OU faculty. Courses are conducted over Zoom one evening per week, Monday-Thursday. Students will also be allowed to collaborate and share learning in the “Challenge- Group Project” course, where groups of students complete an independent study on topics of their choice, with the option to attend in person at OU’s Norman campus.
Course Offerings
Core Courses:
- Sustainable Engineering Principles
- Emerging Technologies Toward Water Sustainability
- Sustainable Process Design
- Sustainable Polymer Manufacturing
- Challenges- Group Project
- Students are welcome and encouraged to attend in person one week or more (upon discussion with instructors) of the “Challenge-Group Project” course. This opportunity will occur during the summer on the OU Norman Campus. The program does not cover travel and onsite expenses.
Elective Courses:
- Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage
- Environmental Separations
- Project Management and Leadership
- Business Sustainability
- Decision and Risk Analysis
Getting Started Today
To apply to the online Master of Science in Sustainability program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent). In addition to completing an online application, you will need to provide the following:
- Official college transcripts from all institutions
- Must have completed college algebra in their undergraduate studies
- A detailed resume documenting relevant work experience and past education
- Personal Statement questions that will be asked to understand applicants’ reason for applying: What are your expectations for this program? What are your career ambitions? What experience will you bring to the program and your classmates?
Application Timeline
Questions about Admissions?
For more information on the admissions process, please complete the contact form below, and an admissions counselor will be in touch shortly.
Paying for School
If you would like to compare the estimated cost of your program with a typical financial aid package, use the cost calculator on our OU Online financial aid page.
Graduate tuition waivers cannot be applied to OU Online programs. OU Online programs qualify for the OU Faculty/Staff Tuition Waiver & Fee Exemption, and we encourage you to check your eligibility.
Tuition waiver and fee exemption package application
If you have questions regarding financial aid for your online program, please get in touch with the Online Aid office by emailing onlineaid@ou.edu or calling 405-325-2929.
same academic excellence
Accredited Program
Earn the credentials needed for opportunities in any industry looking to advance, implement, maintain, or improve sustainability practices. Graduate with a valuable degree from a world-renowned university while expanding your professional network as part of the global OU alumni community.
Earning an M.S. in Sustainability from OU Online gives you the skills and credentials to succeed in a growing field. It also gives you access to career support and an expanded professional network as part of the OU alumni community. Put yourself at the forefront of where the industry is moving while enjoying the potential for higher pay, career advancement, and new opportunities.
Tuition and fees for the program are $29,550* ($985 per credit), not including books and course materials.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change at the discretion of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Tuition Calculator
Our tuition calculator can help you estimate your tuition and financial aid for your program of interest.
Why OU Online?
We are a top-tier public institution offering high-quality, affordable, professional undergraduate and graduate programs committed to maintaining academic excellence online.
Our Online Programs
Every OU Online program is built on the foundation of world-class faculty mixed with professors of practice providing valuable instruction. By linking industry experts with our online programs, we offer the most advanced curriculum and prepare students for future career success.
Our OU Family
When you graduate from an OU Online program, you’ll join the network of 250,000 OU alumni and be forever part of the OU family. Become part of the tradition of excellence that OU has established in its 130-year history.
