Online Sustainability Degree: The Complete 2023 Guide

Used in every sector and region, sustainability has become a valued concept. Regardless of your career goals, an online sustainability degree can help you reduce waste, increase profits, and improve the environment.

Managers, policymakers, research scientists, engineers, and more can benefit from this type of education. Perhaps you want to work in a position focused on the environment such as an environmental scientist. Maybe you want to work as a chief sustainability officer for a major company. Regardless, these online sustainability degrees can lead to many fulfilling and rewarding careers.

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ARTICLE NAVIGATION:

• Online Sustainability Degrees: Certificate | Diploma | Associate | Bachelor | Bachelor Completion | Graduate Certificate | Master’s
• Accreditation for Online Sustainability Degrees
• Will an Online Sustainability Degree Meet Licensing and Certification Requirements?
• Licensing and Certification for Online Sustainability Degree Graduates
• Online Sustainability Degree Careers: The Growth Forecast
• Expected Salary for Graduates of an Online Sustainability Degree

Certificate

Certificates can be used to start or enhance a career in sustainability. These fully-online programs can also be used by experts in other fields to add sustainability to their skill set. For example, business managers can use certificates in Sustainability to make their operations more efficient, less wasteful, and more environmentally responsible. The Sustainable Building Certificate from Columbus State Community College is designed for architects, building managers, and construction managers.

A certificate is often the fastest form of education. There is no standard length, but these programs can often be completed in two semesters or fewer. They typically require less than 20 credits.

Diploma

Diplomas are similar to certificates but are usually longer. They are often offered by trade schools and technical colleges. Many provide direct job placement, although they can also enhance a current worker’s skills.

Associate

To enhance sustainability in a specific industry or sector, consider an associate’s degree. These online sustainability degree programs focus on one corner of the market. For example, the Sustainable/Renewable Energy program from Colby Community College is for those who want to work with wind turbines and solar panels. This degree can lead to a career as a wind turbine technician or a solar photovoltaic (PV) installer.

Associate-level sustainability degrees online require at least 60 credit hours. Most students will need two or three years to finish an associate’s degree. Costs are relatively affordable. The degree from Colby Community College will cost students around $9,000 in tuition and fees.

Bachelor

A bachelor’s level online sustainability degree can help students enter a variety of potential careers. Students who specifically want to increase sustainability from a leadership position should consider these programs. The Business Administration / Green & Sustainable Management degree from Liberty University is one such program, for example. This program would make an ideal education for aspiring business leaders. The degree will particularly show potential employers an appreciation for the environment and wish to carry this value into their careers.

A bachelor’s degree requires at least 120 credit hours and can be completed in four years, although part-time students can expect five or more years. Degrees are available entirely online, although some have in-person requirements.

Costs for an accredited online bachelor’s degree in sustainability can vary greatly. In fact, tuition for the online sustainability degrees in our database range from $26,000 to nearly $95,000. The best value in this category comes from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. This school offers a Bachelor of General Studies focusing on Sustainability. The program particularly combines a liberal arts core with bioethics, global challenges, and technology in society. Grads can find employment in agriculture, conservation, renewable energy, and more.

Bachelor Completion

Students who have completed an associate degree can enroll in a bachelor completion program to finish a four-year degree. The number of transfer credits accepted depends on both schools. However, these programs help students complete a bachelor’s degree in notably less time. It usually takes two or three years, as opposed to four or five.

These fully-online sustainability degrees carry just as much professional recognition as a typical bachelor’s. The Sustainability Management program from St. Petersburg College helps develop a student’s insights into sustainable business practices. Coupled with professional development, training, and required experience, graduates can pursue careers as construction managers.

Graduate Certificate

Graduate certificates are usually designed for current workers. These programs help people become more aware of conservation and sustainability practices. For example, Missouri University of Science & Technology offers a program in Management for Sustainable Business. It is designed for executives who want to learn more about sustainability and productivity.

These programs vary in size but usually encompass 15 to 20 credit hours. For example, the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Natural Resources from Oregon State University is 18 credits. They are available completely online and require a bachelor’s degree for enrollment.

Master’s

Master’s degrees in sustainability allow students with a bachelor’s degree to enhance their knowledge. Students can gain advanced knowledge of technology, renewable energy, or issues that impact sustainability.

Some programs can be considered STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) degrees. One of these is the degree in Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

There are also leadership, policy, and legal-based online sustainability degrees at this level. One is the Master of Energy Regulation & Law from the Vermont Law School. Another is the Master of Business Administration / Energy Management from Norwich University.

Students can expect to pay between $15,000 and $55,000 for accredited master’s sustainability programs online. However, the most cost-effective option is a Master of Science in Sustainability Measurement & Reporting.

Accreditation is granted to schools and programs by groups recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Schools receive institutional accreditation from groups like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Programs within schools can also receive approval from subject-specific bodies. These include groups like the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) or the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). However, there is no accrediting body that focuses on sustainability degrees.

While there is no sustainability-specific group, some degrees in our database have accreditation from applicable organizations. For example, the Master of Business Administration / Energy Management from Norwich University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Resources:

• Council for Higher Education Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Yes. Licensing is rarely required for sustainability careers, but numerous certifications are available. In fact, specialists in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable resources can all pursue industry credentials. Education requirements for certifications, in many cases, can indeed be met by online sustainability degrees.

For example, take the process to become a Certified Environmental Scientist through the National Registry of Environmental Professionals. Firstly, applicants need an environment-related bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. It’s important to realize that all the programs in our database meet this accreditation requirement.

Resources:

• Certified Environmental Scientist - Qualifications

Sustainability diplomas, certificates, and degrees lead to various professions. Moreover, many are used by professionals in a range of industries. Licensing requirements for graduates of these programs are rare. However, numerous groups offer certification in sustainability, energy conservation, green initiatives, and resource management.

Sustainability-focused groups and the credentials they offer include the following:

• International Society of Sustainability Professionals
  • Sustainability Excellence Associate
  • Sustainability Excellence Professional
• Association of Energy Engineers
  • Energy Manager
  • Measurement & Verification Professional
  • Industrial Energy Professional
• Green Building Initiative
  • Emerging Professional
  • Professional
  • Globes Assessor
• National Registry of Environmental Professionals
  • Registered Environmental Property Assessor
  • Certified Waste Management Professional
  • Certified Environmental Auditor

This list highlights just a few of the numerous groups and titles available to sustainability experts. Each organization obviously has its own process for becoming certified. For example, let’s look at the Certified Environmental Auditor (CEA) credential from the National Registry of Environmental Professionals.

This is the process for obtaining the CEA credential:

1. Education: Applicants firstly need a bachelor’s degree in an environmentally-related discipline. However, three years of professional experience can substitute for each year of college study. With no online sustainability degree, applicants need 12 years of experience.
2. Experience: In addition to education or experience-substitution requirements, applicants need four years of experience working with environmental audits. For this requirement, education cannot replace experience.
3. Exam: Applicants must then pass the CEA exam. The application fee is $100 and the exam fee is $200. It is an online test with 100 multiple-choice questions. To pass, applicants need a score of specifically 75% or higher. There is a recommended study guide that can be purchased for $125 and sample questions that cost $40. After passing the exam, sustainability professionals can then add the CEA credential to their resumes.

Resources:

• International Society of Sustainability Professionals
• Association of Energy Engineers - Certifications
• Green Building Initiative - Credentialing
• National Registry of Environmental Professionals - Certifications

The overall growth for sustainability careers looks promising. Total numbers of jobs are currently small, but openings are expected to rise as this practice becomes more widespread.

Environmental scientists and specialists are expected to see an overall growth of 5% between 2021 and 2031. That puts this career on pace with all other occupations. With steady growth, there will be roughly 83,800 jobs by 2031. In other words, this makes it a fairly large science profession. In contrast, by 2031 there will be about 22,600 microbiologists and 40,000 food scientists.

The rise of sustainable technology will propel technical jobs like solar photovoltaic installers. This career, while small in total numbers, will grow by 27%. This will increase the profession from 17,100 jobs to 21,700.

Wind turbine technicians will also see impressive growth from an emerging industry. With only 11,100 positions in 2021, the occupation should see a 44% growth rate in ten years. By 2031, the BLS expects over 16,000 people to be employed in this field.

Resources: 

• Environmental Scientists and Specialists (BLS)
• Solar Photovoltaic Installers (BLS)
• Microbiologists (BLS)
• Agricultural and Food Scientists (BLS)
• Wind Turbine Technicians (BLS)

People enroll in an online sustainability degree program because they value the environment and want to conserve resources and reduce waste. Salaries are rarely the top motivation, although there are opportunities for strong incomes.

Environmental scientists have a median salary of $76,530. The top 10% have annual incomes over $129,070. More specifically, those working for the federal government (only 7% of this profession) have a median income of $103,530.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers, who only need a high school diploma and training, have a median annual salary of $47,670. The top 10% in this category earn over $72,080. Texas is the highest-paying area for these professionals. In fact, in this state, the median salary is $61,240.

Wind turbine technicians, who typically only need a certificate, have a median salary of $56,260. The top 10% earn over $77,810, and with such rapid growth—44% as a matter of fact—salaries can be expected to rise to meet increased demand.

Are you ready to make a difference? With an education in sustainability, you can be a leader in waste reduction and energy efficiency. Submit your information to get started on the perfect online sustainability degree to power your future!