Learn More about this Program
Welcome to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Sustainability Science Program website, which provides a snapshot of our academic program, faculty and students, and application information. The Masters of Science in Sustainability Science degree (MS3) was founded in 2011, and we quickly established our program as one of America’s leading offerings in sustainability science. UMass Amherst is a land grant institution with over 150 years of sustainable agriculture research and green education, and is a wonderful place to study complex systems. We proudly offer students professional training in emerging job markets related to sustainability.
Our success is demonstrated by the achievements of our students and alumni. Whether working in the business, government, or non-profit sectors, or as entrepreneurs, our students are pioneering the field of sustainability science. For example, students are innovating in the energy field by leading solar energy start-ups, developing community renewable energy solutions, and designing building efficiency solutions. Our alumni can be found developing urban green spaces and tree planting projects, incorporating ecosystem services, human well-being, and climate mitigation into the design. Students have achieved success in business, industry, and campus sustainability through projects involving sourcing sustainable clothing, minimizing waste streams, and creating sustainable business plans. At the heart of the Pioneer Valley in beautiful Western Massachusetts, we are also leading sustainable agriculture endeavors, from putting local and organic food into underserved schools to incorporating sustainable food and farming into communities. Amid these and other innovative endeavors, we are working to make the planet a healthier place to live for current and future generations.
The Master of Science in Sustainability Science is among the most visible academic programs of the School of Earth and Sustainability (SES) at UMass Amherst. The SES allows for seamless academic opportunities in the environmental, natural, and social sciences. We have carefully designed a rigorous academic curriculum that can be completed in one year for full-time students, and alternate pathways for working professionals. We are thrilled that you are interested in our program and look forward to getting to know you.
Sustainability Science is a one or two-year professional master’s degree program that trains students for sustainability-focused careers in industry, academia, government, and the nonprofit sector. The program is grounded in the philosophy that solving societal challenges requires a new generation of leaders who have an understanding of integrated sustainable thinking. It features rigorous interdisciplinary academic training, practical career-based experience, and extensive professional development. As such, the program is tailored to prepare our students to be highly competitive in the green careers market place. The Sustainability Science program accepted its first cohort in the fall of 2011, and with the graduating class of 2025, the program has more than 180 graduates. We welcome applications from anyone who has completed a bachelor's degree, in any field.
Entering students first build a common disciplinary foundation through core knowledge courses. They acquire breadth in environmental systems, urban and social systems, economics, and political science through electives. Next, students develop specialization in one of five areas: Urban Sustainability, Renewable Energy and Efficient Design, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Water Sustainability and Climate Change, and Environmental Quality. The program culminates with a 4-credit practicum where students apply their educational training in a real-world professional setting.
By combining core knowledge, electives, specialization, and a practicum, students build a strong intellectual foundation for analyzing interconnections between social, economic and ecological systems, and hone a professional level of expertise in their chosen concentration.
Students graduate with:
1. A systems thinking approach to understanding the interrelated scientific, social, economic, and political underpinnings of sustainability challenges.
2. Critical thinking and communications skills.
3. Real-world pragmatic training and field experiences.
4. A network of peers and colleagues who are committed to each others’ success.
Housed within the Department of Environmental Conservation at Massachusetts’s flagship public University, students are part of a thriving intellectual community dedicated to sustainability.
At UMass Amherst we are committed to advancing a culture of sustainability where we implement sustainable practices within all aspects of campus operations. We work across organizational silos and act as a resource for students and faculty to use the campus as a living laboratory for engaging in sustainable solutions.
Email MS3@UMass.edu with questions about the program. Let us know what concentrations you are most interested - Urban Sustainability, Renewable Energy & Efficient Design, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, Water Sustainability & Climate Change, Environmental Quality, Dual Degree with Regional Planning.