Integrative Studies - Sustainability (MA,MS)
The integrative studies in sustainability master’s program prepares students to apply sustainability concepts, principles and technical approaches to address “green” career needs in a variety of fields. The program curriculum integrates sustainable sociology and environmental management, with special focuses on sustainability research, planning and leadership skills, environmental regulation requirements, and community-based sustainable management of natural resources. Through innovative curriculum and training, students will explore institutional, social and environmental approaches to better understand and provide innovative solutions to complex sustainability challenges.
Format
Evening courses
Career Outlook
As natural resources become more scarce and expensive, sustainability has become a flourishing field of graduate study with great career potential. The overall job outlook for sustainability specialist careers has been very positive and is rapidly growing in popularity. Graduates may pursue careers that apply sustainability practices and principles, or manage planning and application of sustainability concepts in consulting, business, industry, government, not-for-profit organizations or academia. Possible jobs include, but are not limited to, corporate or municipal sustainability officer, technical analyst for sustainability practices, technical manager for sustainability projects, sustainable product purchasing agent, sustainable green building or community designer, and sustainability consultant.
Curriculum
Students will take courses in the sociology and environmental sciences programs, according to the master’s in integrative studies program requirements:
- 30 credit hours of graduate-level courses, 15 credits of which are from the sociology program and 15 credits from the environmental sciences program.
- At least half of the 30 credit hours of course work must be at the 500 level.
- No more than three credit hours of the 30 credit hours of course work can be independent study.
- All students will complete seven credit hours of integrative studies thesis or non-thesis capstone work.
Sociology Courses
SOC 515-3 - Research Methods and Study Design in Sociology
SOC 518-3 - Advanced Data Analysis
SOC 590-3 - Seminar in Sociology and Sustainability
SOC 540-3 - Alternatives to Capitalism(s) or 538-3 - Seminar in Industrial Sociology
SOC 542-3 - Seminar in Gender and Gender Inequality or 502-3 - Seminar in Intergroup Relations
Environmental Sciences Courses
ENSC 510-3 - Advanced Environmental Sciences and Policy
ENSC 511-3 - Environmental Policy
ENSC 512-3 - Environmental Law
ENSC 516-3 - Environmental Impact Analysis
ENSC 550-3 - Applied Ecology
Integrative Studies Capstone Project
(1) INTG 500 Proposal Development
(6) INTG 599 Thesis Research or INTG 593 Final Project
Admission Requirements
- Graduate School application and $40 fee
- Official copies of all post-secondary transcripts
- Successful completion of a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment. Applicants may be required to take prerequisites or resolve any deficiencies before classified status is approved.
- Minimum GPA 3.0
- International Applicants: Proof of English Proficiency, minimum requirements are TOEFL (79), IELTS (6.5) or equivalent
- A letter of intent clearly articulating the desired focus areas, the applicant’s academic/career goals, how his/her academic background prepares him/her to undertake the program successfully, and how the program serves his/her goals must be submitted with the application.
- Other requirements:
- Completion of 30 hours of social science credits (strongly recommend theory, methods, and statistics)
- Writing Sample
Program application materials may be uploaded during the application process, but official transcripts must be sent directly from the school attended, and test scores must be verifiable with the appropriate testing service. Please contact the Graduate Admissions office with questions regarding the application submission process at graduateadmissions@siue.edu.
Applicants must also meet any additional admissions requirements stipulated by the participating departments, which may include but are not limited to holding a specific undergraduate degree, one or more prerequisite courses, or a standardized test score, such as the GRE.
Applicants with a baccalaureate and/or graduate-level GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered if all the following conditions are met.
- The baccalaureate degree and/or graduate-level work was earned more than 4 years prior to the application submission.
- The applicant provides a written explanation of her/his performance in the baccalaureate degree.
- The applicant provides a written explanation of why he/she will be successful in the Integrative Studies degree.
Review the SIUE Admissions Policy for more information.
Faculty
Connie Frey-Spurlock, PhD
Sociology
Zhiqing Lin, PhD
Environmental Sciences
