Master of Environmental Sustainability (MES)

Develop the skills you need to implement policies and advocate for change at the intersection of humans and the environment. Through our one-year program, you’ll get science training, management, and technical skills to prepare you to meet the growing demand for green jobs across the nation. You’ll be guided by world-renowned faculty who are experts and leading researchers in their fields, resulting in an experience that is practical, relevant, and a powerful building block for your future career.

Tailor your Degree

Outside of the core curriculum—which emphasizes environmental and project management and critical thinking skills—courses are tailored to your interests. Customize your degree through one of four concentrations designed around topics that are in demand and highly sought after by employers.

• Environmental Quality and Toxicology
• Municipal Sustainability
• Sustainable Water Resources
• Sustainable Natural Resource Conservation and Management

Experiential Learning

As part of your capstone project during your final semester, you’ll get the chance to solve a complex problem for a real-world client. This practical, hands-on experience delivers a deeper understanding of environmental sustainability issues, and better prepare you to step into a leadership role when you graduate.

The O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs is home to globally and nationally recognized degrees featuring a skills-based, interdisciplinary design that can be tailored to meet the needs of students from any professional background. As a member of the O’Neill School student community, you’ll learn from our world-renowned faculty, who will equip you with the knowledge you need to lead and make a difference across any sector. Upon graduation, you’ll join a supportive, global alumni base of over 37,000 serving their communities in all different capacities and organizations.

Leadership skills with an interdisciplinary foundation

Our professional, interdisciplinary programs connect areas of study, tapping into the strengths of expert faculty in each discipline and offering varied perspectives representative of our interconnected world.

Whether you pursue a degree in public affairs, arts administration, environmental science—or a combination through our dual degrees—you’ll graduate ready for a leadership position that spans the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. And, you'll gain career experience while in school.

Learn from leading faculty

Learn from and alongside our expert faculty—top scholars in their fields, engaged in ongoing research, practice, and, most importantly, your education. More than 85 percent of our courses are taught by full-time faculty. They will become your mentors and advisors, bringing their experience into the classroom and laboratory to prepare you to lead for the greater good.

Top-tier program at a top value

You’ll attend one of the most highly regarded programs in the nation at a cost that is significantly lower than that of many other top-tier programs—we offer one of the most affordable programs in a city that is cosmopolitan, but not costly.

Part of the student—and Bloomington—community

At the O’Neill School, you’ll get a small school experience where we actively strive to cultivate diversity, equity, and inclusion, all with the benefits of a Big Ten Research I university. You’ll find student organizations for every interest—and for advancing your network or career—in addition to the welcoming Bloomington community, ranked one of the most beautiful and best places to live and study.