Sometimes considered the "doctors of the earth," environmental managers seek to preserve and allocate earth's resources in the best way possible.
The earth's resources are not just exotic plants and animals that you see on National Geographic, but also involve things we take for granted every day such as water, air, and gas. As these elements become scarcer, the need for efficient management is necessary. The study of Environmental Management offers instruction in conservation of natural resources to prepare graduates for careers in both the public and private sector.
Environmental management degree programs will have natural science courses as its foundation along with more business-like courses such as safety compliance and conservation regulations. Students will have a solid understanding of how management principles can relate to environmental conservation. Thus, this degree is largely interdisciplinary.
What kind of environmental management degree should you get?
An online degree versus a traditional on-campus one may be preferable for those who choose to work during their undergraduate years. Online degrees are also typically cheaper and offer more flexible course times and lengths. For example, many online courses only run for 8-weeks rather than a 14- or 12-week semester or quarter. This can allow students to finish their degree in as little as three years.
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How much money do people make with a degree in environmental management?
According to PayScale, as of November 2015 those with a bachelors degree and one to four years of working experience earned an average of $52,000. Those who are managers can earn a bit more, with the average environmental health and safety manager earning $69,053. Of course, salary ranges based on location and field.
In the science and engineering field, the BLS reported in May 2014 that the median salary of environmental scientists was $66,250. Field technicians earned anywhere from $33,490 to $74,570. In September 2015, project coordinators had a range from $39,195 to $83,928.
What can you do with a degree in environmental management?
A bachelor's degree prepares graduates for entry-level positions. The most common jobs are environmental scientist, project coordinator, or field technician. Professionals can work in government agencies, public utility companies, or waste management firms. Some may even be able to work for private companies that contract out with environmental management firms.
Although those with only a bachelors may not initially have too high of a management role, those who are employed in this field are essentially managing the earth's resources. Workers must understand not only natural sciences, but the business side of the field in order to have successful communication with city governments and firms. A master's or a PhD can increase one's opportunities and knowledge.
What are the requirements for a degree in environmental management?
Successful applicants of this program will have a high school diploma from an accredited school with a competitive GPA and test scores. Any personal essays and letters of recommendation should be submitted. Although not absolutely necessary, many schools like to see that students have taken advanced science courses, as environmental management does require a natural science curriculum component.
What are the best online environmental management degrees?
College Choice has ranked the 5 best online environmental management degrees. This ranking was compiled based on two overarching factors: institutional excellence and student success. Institutional excellence was calculated looking at a variety of data points such as graduation rate, institutional reputation, and students' entering test scores. Student success rate was based on financial aid, average student indebtedness after graduating, and early starting salary. Our research comes from the National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS database, the U.S. News & World Report, PayScale, and individual college websites.
Ranking
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