Master of Science in Environmental Science & Engineering
Build a Sustainable Foundation for the Future
Mitigating the effects of climate change and the human impact on the environment is a collective, global effort. As more companies and organizations seek to be part of the solution, they require professionals who have the technical expertise and sociopolitical knowledge to tackle today's urgent environmental challenges. An MS in Environmental Science & Engineering can make you a competitive candidate in this growing job market and strengthen your application for doctorate programs in the field.
Why Earn an MS in Environmental Science & Engineering From Clarkson University?
The degree can be completed in as little as one-and-a-half years and is designed to suit your goals. Work closely with our nationally recognized faculty to develop your own theme of study or an area of specialization. Our classes encourage teamwork and a solution-based focus for real-world challenges.
As a student, you have access to incredible resources like our award-winning Parker Career Center, or you can tap into our extensive alumni network to help advance your career.
Requirements
The master's degree in environmental science & engineering consists of 30 credit hours. Courses are distributed between at least 18 credit hours of graduate coursework, two credit hours of a seminar and at least six credit hours of thesis research (or four credit hours toward a project).
Environmental Science & Engineering MS Required Courses
The master’s candidate must complete 30 credit hours, including 2 credits of seminar; and at least 6 credits of research (or 4 credits towards a Project). Additionally the master’s candidate must take:
EV 532 (Risk Analysis)
POL 570 (Environmental Policy) or POL 571 (Energy Policy)
CE 586 (Industrial Ecology) or CE 582 (Environmental Systems Analysis & Design)
Three (3) additional electives (9 credits) following a selected “Theme”
At least three (3) of the above set of courses must be Engineering courses
Choose your electives according to your research interests and through the guidance of your advisor. Some suggested themes include:
Air Quality and Environmental Assessment
Engineering and Policy
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Quality and Treatment
Sustainable Systems
Air Quality and Environmental Assessment:
CE577 (Atmospheric Chemistry)
CM532 (Particle Size Analysis in Dispersions and Other Colloids)
CM552 (Aerosol Chemistry)
EHS505 (Methods and Analysis)
CE533 (Human Exposure Analysis)
Engineering and Policy
EC660 (Environmental Economics)
POL571 (Energy Policy)
CE586 (Industrial Ecology)
EV536 (Global Climate Change: Science, Engineering, and Policy)
ANTH570 (Environment, Technology, and Society)
POL592 (Environmental Political Theory)
POL575 (Environmental Law)
Environmental Chemistry
BY531/CE589 (Limnology)
CE535 (Groundwater Hydrology and Geochemistry)
CE577 (Atmospheric Chemistry)
CE580 (Environmental Chemistry)
CM530 (Colloids and Interfaces)
CM532 (Particle Size Analysis in Dispersions and Other Colloids)
CM552 (Aerosol Chemistry)
EHS505 (Methods and Analysis)
Environmental Quality and Treatment
CE579 (Water and Wastewater Treatment and Design)
CE581 (Hazardous Waste Management Engineering)
CE584 (Chemodynamics)
CE681 (Environmental Physico-Chemical Processes)
CE682 (Environmental Biological Processes)
Sustainable Systems
BY659 (Systems Biology)
BY520 (Microbiology)
BY525 (Biological Systems & Global Environmental Change)
CE586 (Industrial Ecology)
CE534 (Sustainable Development Engineering)
CE569 (Watershed Analysis)
PHIL510 (Sustainability Theory & Practice: A Critical Assessment)
The Institute for a Sustainable Environment is a hub for integrated research in environmental solutions across Clarkson. Students have access to our CAARES facility, CAMP, the Center for Electric Power Systems Research, the NYS Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions, the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science (C3S2) and the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries. The current areas of research at ISE include clean air, clean water, clean energy, advanced materials, healthy ecosystems, encouraging a circular economy, supporting a healthy planet and sustainable and resilient communities.
A limited number of fully funded research and teaching assistantships and partial-tuition scholarships and stipends are available for qualified full-time students.
Learn more about all of our scholarships and assistantships and how to apply by contacting the Institute for a Sustainable Environment's graduate division via email at isegrad@fenxiong.net.
A completed application consists of the following:
For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required.
Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
Prerequisites
Applicants are expected to have completed at least one year of calculus, physics and chemistry; have some background in fluid mechanics and have obtained a BS, BE or equivalent degree from an engineering or science program.
No minimum grade point average (GPA) is required for admission; however, in general, a GPA greater than 3.25 for a BS degree in a related field is expected in combination with a superior record of academic achievement.
Up to 10 credit hours (grade B or better) of graduate work from another institution may be transferred into the program with the approval of the director. The GRE is recommended but not required for admissions.
Clarkson was the university where I wanted to do my MS because I knew all the doors of opportunities that it would open for me for my future. However, I did not know or expect that it would not only open doors, but an entire house of possibilities and opportunities. I am so glad that I have highly qualified professors that care about my development as a student, as a professional and also as a person. Having this support was a key point for my development and achievements in my master's program. Also, through the classes I could develop different skills, and worked with simulations and software, which were important for my professional development.
Maeva Teixeira Machado '23MS in Environmental Science & Engineering
Career Possibilities
Professionals with a background in environmental science and engineering are seeing growing demand for their skills and insights. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for those in the field is $96,820. Jobs in green industries are also expected to grow to represent 5 percent of the global GDP by 2050.
With your degree, some of the potential roles you may fill include:
Agricultural scientist
Air pollution analyst
Ecologist
Environmental consultant
Environmental engineer
Environmental health officer
Environmental safety officer
Environmental specialist
Green building manager
Natural resource manager
Water project manager
Water quality scientist
Recent Employers and Graduate Schools
Recent MS in Environmental Science & Engineering graduates have found employment through:
MJW Corporation
NYSDEC
Quantis
Carnegie Mellon University
AECOM
GHD Engineering
Arcadis
Meet Our Faculty
Students enrolled in the MS in Environmental Science & Engineering program work closely with ISE-affiliated faculty. Learn more about our team, including specialties and backgrounds.
Clarkson is known and lauded for our dedication to sustainability. Our major sustainability initiatives include working to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions, maintaining a Gold AASHE Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS®) rating, aligning with the U.N.'s sustainable development goals and supporting student-endorsed sustainability projects.
To learn more, listen to Dr. Susan Powers, director of our Institute for a Sustainable Environment, on the Ignite Podcast about our changing climate, the latest sustainability efforts on campus and the amazing progress Clarkson has made to reduce the University's carbon footprint.
Help make a positive impact on the environment through your own research and independent study. If you see yourself making a difference through Clarkson’s master's program, take the next step.
