A master's in environmental management is a graduate program that trains future leaders or managers to develop plans that will benefit both the environment and society. Yale University is an example of an institution that offers such a program. At Yale, students complete foundation courses in both social and natural sciences and become specialized through electives and work experience they select. Students may choose to become a manager of a nature reserve to develop sustainable plans that keep the needs of all stakeholders, including wildlife, in balance. Another option is for grads to intensely study the practice of silviculture as part of the forestry industry. Prospective master's students should apply to Yale in December and submit a written personal statement, a resume, three letters of reference, transcripts and an admission fee, which was $80 as of 2010.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in a legal, political or advocacy field, you can take a master's in environmental law degree. Vermont Law School offers master's degrees in the field. Prospective students may pursue a master's of law degree with an environmental specialization to become an environmental lawyer or a master's of environmental law and policy to work for non-profits, business or governmental agencies. Students have the opportunity to complete a myriad of courses including land-use policy, environmental dispute resolution, air pollution law, energy regulation, the Clean Water Act, climate change litigation and environmental ethics. To apply, prospective students must submit undergraduate transcripts, two letters of reference and a biographical piece that includes work, volunteer activity and extracurricular experiences.
If you have an undergraduate degree in engineering and want to stream your specialization to ecological and sustainable design, consider a master's in environmental engineering. The New Jersey Institute of Technology is an example of a university that offers a master's of science in environmental engineering. Students experientially learn about designing and building emission control technology, water treatment facilities, solid waste disposal systems and other innovations. Master's degree students also have the option of pursuing a thesis research project. To apply, students must have an undergraduate degree in engineering and have completed the general section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
If you have a passion for teaching and want to share your appreciation for natural systems, you may be interested in a master's of education in environmental education. The University of Minnesota at Duluth is an example of an institution that offers such a program. Master's students go on to teach either in formal school settings or at outdoor centers and nature reserves or for conservation groups or natural resource agencies. The program involves learning about environmental curriculum outcomes, intensely studying environmental processes and issues and the experiential delivering of environmental lessons and activities. Students also complete a final project such as a thesis, academic article or curriculum project. To apply, you must submit a transcript from your undergraduate degree, an application letter, resume, three portfolio items related to education, three letters of reference and an application fee, which was $30 in 2011.