Gain the knowledge and real-world experiences you need to create sustainable practices for the world through community-based research.
Sustainability is about finding solutions to challenges and exploring how you can effect change that makes a positive impact on the world. As a sustainability student at USD you will engage with community partners to restore native ecosystems, use the campus as a learning laboratory to advance sustainability locally, and work directly on the Missouri River to investigate the environment and study the impact of human activities on the Missouri National Recreational River.
As the only university in the region to offer undergraduate and graduate sustainability degrees, our program is addressing the workforce demands of this rapidly growing field. A graduate degree in sustainability will prepare you for careers in the areas of natural resource conservation, governmental, corporate and university sustainability offices, sustainability consulting, policy making and regulatory agencies and more. Our expert faculty emphasize experiential learning and will work closely with you to offer research opportunities, mentorship and one-on-one attention throughout your program.
The M.S. in sustainability prepares you to conduct research that is interdisciplinary and solutions-oriented. You can tailor the program to fit your interests in the three pillars of sustainability: environmental sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability.
Begin your master's degree in sustainability while completing your bachelor's degree as an undergraduate student at USD. Students may apply and begin the program after completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours.
Concurrent graduate degrees are particularly valuable for interdisciplinary programs like sustainability. Consider pairing a master's in sustainability with a law degree and share up to nine graduate credits between both graduate programs.
Become an expert in your field by attaining the highest degree in sustainability or earn credentials to teach at a university level. You'll explore the sustainability of systems and propose or implement interventions to enhance the sustainability of systems. Ph.D. students will also lead interdisciplinary groups to accomplish shared goals.
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Gain valuable real-world, professional teaching experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates as a graduate student at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships will equip you will valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation.
Teaching and research assistantships are awarded by individual departments. If you do not receive an assistantship within your department, you are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program or within support offices (non-academic units) at USD. Further inquiries should be directed to the graduate chair of the department.
You'll find the mentorship and opportunities you need to study topics that spark your curiosity. Some of our recent master's graduates in the sustainability program have crafted their degree plans around the following research areas:
At USD, you can actively pursue unique research, present at local and national conferences and explore innovative areas that interest you. Learn more about resources and research opportunities for USD graduate students.
USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the Department of Sustainability & Environment. You may be interested in creating projects and hosting outreach opportunities to make friends, developing new skills and exploring your interests.
The SUST Club is for students who are interested in creating and increasing social, economic and environmental sustainability. The club is open to students from all disciplines and works with USD and the wider Vermillion community to create projects and hold outreach opportunities to educate the public about what it means to live sustainably.
The USD chapter focuses on achieving the sustainable development goals in the Vermillion community. UNA-USA is an initiative of the United Nations Foundation that encourages college students to be involved in the interests and values of the United Nations. The chapter allows USD students the opportunity to be involved on a global platform.
Join your fellow graduate and professional students at USD. We aim to build a sense of community between graduate and professional students. Build your resume, network with others and gain experience and the unique opportunity to represent the interests of graduate students to the greater campus and community.
Earn your field experience credits over the summer and winter breaks! Our students have participated in conferences and faculty-led courses around the world. In addition to the research activities close to home, there are also many opportunities to study abroad and participate in current sustainability research.
Visit the islands of Malta to learn about the natural systems, what happens when systems are disrupted—and the ways in which people are adapting and solving these issues of sustainability. Topics will include island geology, sustainability, water resources, land resources, history, culture, and policy.
The Isles of Greece! will introduce you to a variety of aspects of life in Greece over the five millennia from the Bronze Age to our own time. Topics include history, literature, geology, religion, philosophy, ethnography, marine biology, archaeology, and sustainability of cultural resource management.
The field of sustainability invites us to examine the world we live in and imagine the possibilities for a brighter future. Find solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges through the Department of Sustainability & Environment.
Located along the free-flowing Missouri National Recreational River, the Missouri River Institute explores the natural and cultural resources of the river through its focus on research, education and outreach.
Since sustainability is such a broad field, it aligns well with other master's programs at USD. Combine your elective coursework to count towards both degrees and earn joint/concurrent degrees with multiple other USD programs such as a Master of Public Administration or Law Degree (J.D.).
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Resident & WRGP
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MN Residents
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Non-Resident
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Tuition (9 cr.)
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3061.35
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4398.75
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5886.45
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Fees (9 cr.)
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497.7
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497.7
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497.7
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Books (estimate)
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360
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360
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360
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This is an estimate tuition rate* per credit hour and other factors such as special fees associated with your program may change the cost of tuition. Tuition rates are subject to change.
If you are wondering about how to pay for graduate school, there are additional funding options to consider.
The small feel of the university paired with a small group of people in the sustainability program made my time at USD feel comfortable and meaningful. My graduate assistant (GA) position as the 'campus recycling coordinator' provided me professional development opportunities with real-world experience, leadership of a team, logistics and so much more.
Abigail Willis
M.S. Sustainability '20
Energy Auditor, Green Iowa Americorps
Dewitt, Iowa
