MS in Environmental Studies, Environmental Education

Be an Educational Leader and Change Agent.

Learning the skills of powerful educational approaches equips you as a leader and change agent in nature centers and museums, classrooms and higher education, residential facilities, corporations, the media, municipalities, zoos, aquariums, farms, community organizations, and botanical gardens. Educating for sustainability, raising awareness about climate change, reconnecting children and adults to nature and their community, translating science into conservation education, employing conservation psychology techniques, and making sense of the human footprint on the planet are all aspects of Environmental Education.

This degree is offered by AU New England.

Program Overview

Grounded in EE theory and practice, graduate students acquire an interdisciplinary understanding of the social, political, and economic aspects of human systems and how they impact ecological systems. Antioch graduate students learn natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Principles of sustainability, justice, and cultural competency are interwoven into our EE approach.

Being an environmental educator means understanding how people learn and what inspires people to change. This specialization balances knowledge about the learning process with a solid foundation in environmental sciences and the acquisition of effective teaching methodologies and educational designs. Students learn to translate the complex web of earth systems science, sustainability, environmental issues, and environmental change for the public. Courses and internships highlight aspects of EE in urban and rural contexts while catering to the individual interests of students. Through innovative coursework, professional internships, and graduate capstones, students acquire the skills and confidence to be leaders in the field.

EE students gain hands-on experience in stewardship practices, positive youth, and community development, program design and evaluation, conservation psychology, and understanding ‘place’ as socio-ecological systems and dynamic classrooms for all ages.

Our MS and PhD students, alumni, and EE faculty put the principles and values of this program into professional practice. AUNE is an active partner on the ee360 initiative, “From Inspiration to Impact,” supported by the North American Association for Environmental Education and the U.S. EPA, focused on supporting a diverse cadre of environmental education leaders that are better prepared to increase environmental literacy for everyone, everywhere. Learn more about the AUNE ee360 team and the ee360 initiative. Additionally, students and faculty engage locally through such projects as the Center for Climate Preparedness & Community Resilience, the Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation, Community Garden Connections, and Monadnock Ecological Research & Education Project, to name a few.

Degree Requirements

Length of Program:

This coursework for this program can be completed in 5 semesters. Thesis or project work variable in duration, depending on the topic. Classes are held on Thursdays and Fridays or Fridays and weekends. Online courses and courses offered in other campus departments are also available.

Coursework:

To earn the MS degree in Environmental Studies with an Environmental Education concentration, you must earn a minimum of 36 credits distributed as follows:

Core Areas (9 credits, select 3 out of 4 courses):

• Earth Systems and Climate Change (3)
• Community Ecology of the New England Landscape (3)
• Political Economy and Sustainability (3)
• Leadership for Change (3)

Concentration courses (15 credits):

• Foundations of Environmental Education and Sustainability (3)- Required
• Program Planning and Design (3)- Required
• Citizen Participation (3)
• Civic Ecology and Community Resilience (2) FST
• Climate Change Education (2)
• Community & School-based Food Systems (2)
• Conservation Psychology (3)
• Exhibit Design and Interpretation (2)
• Place-Based Environmental Education (2)
• Program Evaluation (3)
• Teaching in the Outdoors (2)
• Urban Environmental Education (2)
• In consultation with a student’s academic adviser, other courses may be selected from the complete suite of concentration course offerings

Skills courses (6 credits)

• Intro to GIS (3)
• Advanced GIS (3)
• Applied GIS (3)
• Communication in the Digital Age (2)
• Consulting Skills (1)
• Dispute Resolution (1)
• Diversity, Justice & Inclusion (2)
• Field Study Trips (2-3)
• Natural Resource Inventory: field Techniques (2)
• Proposal Writing and Project Management (3)
• Service Learning Seminar (1)
• with permission of the academic adviser, students may substitute 2-3 credits of skills with a concentration course

General Internship (3 credits)
Capstone Project or 2nd Internship (3 credits)

Most course offerings rotate over a 2-year cycle;  Professional Science Masters students should select courses in consultation with their academic adviser to meet additional requirements; Students who select 1 and 2 credit courses should plan carefully with their academic adviser to avoid additional cost; Students entering under a recognized partnership with AUNE should discuss degree requirements with their academic adviser.

International Service Program

Combine this concentration with Peace Corps service. Through the AUNE International Service Program, you can earn credit for your service tuition-free and change the world.

Career Outlook

AUNE has a proven track record of environmental education graduates who go on to serve as professional leaders across the globe. Our graduates work for environmental justice, reinvigorate environmental and science education in cities, guide communities in planning for climate change and promote sustainable, just, inclusive practices in EE organizations, schools, and businesses.

View our interactive Google map of EE alumni

Internships

One of the hallmarks of our program is that students are required to complete at least one applied internship (3 credits), in which they gain valuable skills and build important professional networks. Students may choose to do a second internship in lieu of a final Capstone project or thesis.