Sustainability isn’t just a theoretical concept to those of us living in states along the majestic Chesapeake. The ecological catastrophe that has overtaken the Bay, and the science and policy that have begun to reverse it, have been real-time lessons in the importance of ecological sustainability and ones that our schools and businesses have taken to heart.
Earning a master’s degree in sustainability here offers you the opportunity to take part in some of that work, since our local schools with environmental programs have often been a vital part of the spearhead on research and restoration work. It’s easy to segue those studies into a full-time job in the region, too.
On the doorstep of the seat of federal government, schools in Baltimore and throughout Maryland also maintain connections with policy shops, giving them enormous influence on the conversations about sustainability taking place across the country, and around the globe.
Sustainability Jobs Available in Maryland With the Right Degree
Considering the location, it’s no surprise that many of the sustainability jobs you’ll find in Maryland are going to be with the government. State and local government agencies are major hiring bodies in nearly every state, but with Washington D.C. right next door and many federal agencies stationed here, you can also find positions with the EPA in Fort Meade, the FDA in White Oak, or the Smithsonian in Edgewater.
Private employers also have a sizable presence throughout the state for sustainability graduates. Lockheed Martin, Under Armour, and Northrop Grumman all hire for sustainability specialists and environmental scientists to help them manager their industrial and technical operations both locally and globally.
Of course, the ongoing Chesapeake cleanup efforts, and the threat of sea level rise from global climate change are also steady and reliable sources of employment. Some of the same universities you might earn your degree with are major hiring agencies in the field, as are non-profit groups like the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.
Master’s in Sustainability Available Through Schools in Maryland
The University of Maryland is the big game in town when it comes to sustainability studies in Maryland. The school offers several master’s degrees in important areas of sustainability, covering the spectrum from the traditional to the cutting edge.
Agriculture
TheMaster’s Degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics brings microeconomic theory and econometric study to pressing questions of agricultural resource use and development. It’s a rigorous study of agricultural sustainability techniques with a research-heavy focus.
Architecture
UMD offers a Master in Landscape Architecture that prioritizes education in ecological design and management, including in works of ecological restoration, with a view toward environmental sustainability. The interdisciplinary approach offers training across the skill spectrum. The program is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board and meets all the academic requirements for licensure as a landscape architect.
Policy
The https://spp.umd.edu/admissions/masters-admissions offers a Master of Public Policy degree that include a concentration option for environmental studies. Anchored by the school’s respected Center for Global Sustainability, you’ll learn about high level approaches to building consensus on sustainable efforts at the international level.
Energy
The school also offers a Master in Energy Systems Engineering through the A. James Clark School of Engineering. You’ll learn about all the hot new technology game-changers in photovoltaics, battery chemistry, and all the intricacies of advanced energy systems.
Technology
Building on its location near Washington D.C., the university has forged ties with organizations such as the USDA, the Smithsonian, and the National Academy of Sciences to deliver collaborations that offer students in the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Technology a chance to participate in real-world projects with practicing experts in the field. The Ecological Technology Design specialization uses that expertise to teach integration of natural systems with a built environment to solve current environmental problems.
Sustainability Bachelor Degree Programs in Maryland
The University of Maryland’s University College can prepare you to take on any of those advanced degrees with a bachelor’s in Environmental Management. An online or hybrid program that covers the spectrum of challenges currently facing environmental managers will prepare you to manage to factors such as global warming, air quality, and water scarcity that apply throughout not only Massachusetts, but the rest of the world. The professional models and techniques you learn here for addressing those threats can be used directly in sustainability jobs, or as a springboard to go on to higher studies in the field.
Online Sustainability Degrees Offered Through Schools in Maryland
Once again, it’s the University of Maryland system to the rescue when it comes to online sustainability degree options here. The University of Maryland’s University College delivers a both a Bachelor and a Master of Environmental Management that offers all courses online, with some also available in a hybrid format that will deliver content both online and in person. You’ll graduate with expert decision-making skills and practical experience that gives you the confidence to become a leader in the sustainability field.