Environmental issues represent some of the most important challenges facing our planet today, but PSU's Master of Science degree prepares you to become part of the solution and learn how to confront these issues head-on.
In our research-based program, you will develop depth and breadth of knowledge in a concentration of your choice, get hands-on experience with fieldwork and research labs, and complete a thesis that addresses an environmental question.
PSU's master's program provides you with the rigorous academic preparation that's required for doctoral programs or works for federal and state resource agencies, city, county, and state governments, non-governmental organizations, environmental consulting firms, and private industry.
Join our community and help tackle some of the world's most pressing environmental problems.
Our master of science degree prepares you to become a skilled researcher and professional in the growing field of environmental science and management. Our program blends courses in fundamentals such as ecological, physical, and management sciences, with technical courses in statistics and GIS and specialty courses in an area of your choice.
You'll become familiar with the scientific literature in your concentration and gain skills to analyze environmental problems, develop research questions, conduct field studies or lab experiments, present results and discuss the impact of your work.
Though you'll work independently on your research, you'll have the support of our expert faculty to advise you in developing and completing your thesis and opportunities to work with them in their research labs. Our small classes also provide you with opportunities to extensively interact and learn from them.
Our location in the heart of downtown Portland gives you access to a wide variety of environmental agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland Bureau of Environmental Studies, and The Nature Conservancy.
Our department and the Association of Environmental Science Students also jointly host a weekly Friday Science seminar, providing you with an opportunity to present your work and get feedback from people outside your area of study.
PSU's Master of Science degree provides you with the skills and training needed to pursue additional research at the doctoral level, or launch a career as a scientist, manager, or educator in federal and state resource management and regulatory agencies, city, county, and state governments, environmental organizations, environmental consulting firms, and private companies.
Graduates of our program work in the City of Portland, Metro, Clackamas County, the state departments, of Environmental Quality, State Lands, Fish and Wildlife, and Transportation, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. National Parks Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, environmental consulting firms, Nike, and other private industries.