How to Get a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering
As environmental concerns ascend to the forefront of public consciousness, engineers are emerging as the champions of a cleaner, greener future. Global warming, dwindling energy resources, and pollution are just a few of the pressing concerns galvanizing public support for environmental engineering. The Department of Labor predicts a surge of environmental engineering jobs--31 percent in the decade between 2008 and 2018--as governments and private entrepreneurs look for innovative ways to control and prevent environmental problems.
A master's degree qualifies you to lend a hand in the effort to reverse existing pollution and prevent future environmental damage. In one to two years you'll develop the knowledge and research skills to help solve environmental problems. Many master's degree programs feature distance graduate education options, allowing professionals to earn a master's degree online while they work.
This guide sets you up for success as an environmental engineer. Prepare for the master's degree program by defining your goals and lining up the academic resources to achieve them. WorldWideLearn.com takes you through the application process step by step, connecting you with key resources. |
Guide to Master's Degrees in Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering has evolved to reflect new challenges to the environment. Initially, public infrastructure issues such as waste treatment and water distribution drove researchers to seek solutions in civil engineering. Industrial pollution and environmental regulation expanded the scope of the discipline to include chemical and mechanical engineering. Today, the field applies biological and chemical principles to restore natural habitats, combat global climate and pollution problems, and prevent further environmental damage. WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Majors features a close look at the environmental engineering discipline.
Professional and Academic Master's Degrees
Master's degrees in environmental engineering come in two varieties, accommodating different professional backgrounds and career goals.
Master of Science
The traditional graduate degree offers a comprehensive introduction to the field as well as an opportunity to pursue research in a specialized area. The MS in environmental engineering is ideal for recent graduates or anyone new to the field of environmental engineering. Aspiring academics use the master of science degree as a stepping stone to a PhD program in environmental engineering.
Master of Engineering
The MEng in environmental engineering offers a streamlined alternative to the traditional master's degree. The program, which may be completed in under a year, is designed for practicing engineers who want to deepen their formal training in a specific area. Working professionals often choose to earn a master's degree online.
Explore your master's degree options further at WorldWideLearn.com's Online Master's Degrees and The Master's Degree Explained.
Specializations
Graduate environmental engineering programs offer you the opportunity to focus on a specific topic of interest. Choose among these environmental engineering specializations:
Pollution Prevention and Remediation
- Industrial Hygiene
- Hazardous Materials Management
- Contaminant Fate and Transport
- Air Quality Engineering
- Water Quality Engineering
- Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control
- Waste Containment and Waste Water Treatment
Environmental Sustainability
- Ecosystem Dynamics
- Climate Dynamics
- Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology
- Geomorphology
- Public Health
- Environmental Law and Policy
- Land and Natural Resource Management
Understanding the direction of your interests will help you find a program with the right selection of resources to help you achieve your goals.
Career Track
A master's degree in environmental engineering opens doors to a range of careers in research, education, or public policy. Apply your degree at private research firms, engineering consulting organizations, large corporations, testing laboratories, government agencies, or universities. According to the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE), the major employers of environmental engineers are engineering consulting service providers and regulatory agencies such as the EPA.
Job titles in environmental engineering include:
- Researcher
- Product designer
- Test engineer
- Director of pollution control facility
- Government regulatory agent
- Policy advocate
- Public health consultant
- Superfund cleanup consultant
- Professor (requires a PhD in environmental engineering)
Your priorities and natural aptitudes will determine the best career path. Field engineers engage directly with the environment. Lab researchers develop innovative solutions to specific problems. Policymakers have an immediate impact on the management of natural resources. WorldWideLearn.com's Career Pathways features career planning and assessment tools to help you plan your career path within the evolving field of environmental engineering.
Plan for a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering
A sense of your professional ambitions will help you build a strong foundation for graduate study in environmental engineering. The following steps take you through the planning process, from researching programs to building a network of academic peers:
Step One: Find the Right Graduate Environmental Engineering Program
There are hundreds of graduate environmental engineering programs to choose from. You can earn a master's degree online or on campus, focus on applied research or scientific fundamentals, and study alongside recent college graduates or seasoned mid-career engineers. Careful research will help you identify the master's degree program best suited to your professional status and goals.
1. List Accredited Programs
Begin by surveying accredited master's degree programs in environmental engineering. Accreditation is the critical baseline criterion at this stage in your research. A measure of academic quality, accreditation guarantees the value of your degree in the eyes of future employers and factors into your eligibility for financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education Web site posts a search-able database of approved regional and national accreditation agencies.
Resources
WorldWideLearn.com represents a selection of high-quality educational institutions, all of which are accredited. Search Degrees by Subject for a master's degree in environmental engineering.
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the preeminent accreditation authority for engineering schools. Access a list of member institutions with accredited engineering programs in environmental engineering using ABET's 'Search Programs by Discipline' tool.
Peterson's Guides publishes Graduate Programs in Engineering & Applied Sciences, an annually updated print guide representing graduate environmental engineering programs. The handbook features contact and degree information for each program.
2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree?
For most graduate students, program format is a major factor in choosing a school. The diversity of educational access has created options to suit every learning style, life circumstance, and career goal.
Online master's degrees offer convenient access to higher education for mid-career adults. The flexible schedules and Internet access make it possible to earn a master's degree online while working full time, raising children, or managing other obligations.
Campus programs feature unparalleled access to research facilities and faculty advisors, making them a popular choice for recent graduates and aspiring academics.
Hybrid programs combine the best of both worlds. You can complete coursework online, and pursue research and group work during temporary campus residencies.
WorldWideLearn.com's Online Degree Programs and Campus Education sections can help you determine which delivery format is right for you. To find online environmental engineering degree programs, check the Online Degrees by Subject reference tool. For campus degrees near you, search for Degrees by Location.
3. Explore Academic Programs
The crux of your program research takes you into the details of individual master's degree programs. Look for institutions with the resources to help you achieve your research goals.
Factors to take into account include:
- Curriculum and Specializations
- Research Facilities
- Faculty
- Industry Relationships
- Career Support Services
- Student Life
Look for programs with courses, research labs, and faculty experts in your field of interest. If you are heading into professional practice, pay close attention to industry networking opportunities. A faculty of industry insiders, internship and job boards, and recruitment events are signs of a strong career support network.
Resources
WorldWideLearn.com facilitates your program research by putting you in touch with schools that match your academic criteria. Fill out a form indicating your preferences, and the system automatically suggests matches. Input your contact information, and a school representative will email or call you to discuss the program in depth. These tools save you time, allowing you to consider all your options.
School Web sites typically feature a wealth of information about program resources. Look for course descriptions, degree requirements, research facility Web pages, and links to faculty biographies. You may also discover news about campus networking or recruiting events.
Informational interviews with faculty, alumni, and current graduate students offer insight into the student experience as well as the value of the degree on the job market. For best results, time your interviews with a campus visit, and tour research facilities while you're there.
4. Evaluate Program Quality
Finally, narrow down your list by assessing the quality and selectivity of your top program candidates. The challenge is to identify schools with strong programs that admit students with your academic background.
Evaluate programs based on:
- Reputation
- Selectivity in admissions
- Job placement and salary statistics
- Student background, including years of industry experience
Admissions departments will evaluate your promise as a graduate student based on your undergraduate GPQ, standardized test scores, references from colleagues, and (in some cases) professional experience.
Resources
Admissions Departments collect and share detailed information on selectivity and graduate placement. Key data points include average admitted students' GPA and test scores, placement rates, employers, starting salaries, and student demographics. Given the importance of networking, a diverse student body can be a real asset. Some programs tend to attract more experienced engineers from around the world, while others focus on developing an intimate local community of engineers.
Rankings such as U.S. News & World Report's Top Biological Science Graduate Schools give you a sense of a school's reputation. To get a sense of how specialized programs compare, it's best to ask an established expert in your field for advice.
Step Two: Apply to Graduate Environmental Engineering Programs
Once you've selected five to ten programs that suit your needs, you're ready to put the application process in motion. You can expect to encounter the following steps along the way.
1. Complete Prerequisites
First, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for graduate study. Prerequisites typically include:
- A bachelor's degree in engineering
- Courses in engineering and/or environmental science, if your degree is in another field
- Standardized tests such as the GRE and TOEFL (for international students)
- Research or professional experience (not required, but an asset for gaining admission to advanced practitioner programs)
WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide features resources to help you achieve these requirements, including test preparation tips, prerequisite courses, and online learning tools.
2. Prepare Application Materials
In addition to submitting an online information form, you'll need to gather and send the following supporting materials:
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation (two or three, from academic or professional sources)
- Test scores
- Personal Essay or Statement of Research Interests
- Resume or CV
Check with the admissions office regularly to make sure that they receive each of these items before the application deadline.
3. Line Up Financial Aid
A master's degree in environmental engineering is a wise investment in your future--and a considerable expense in the present. Most graduate students rely on financial aid to cover the cost of their graduate education. Take these measures to take full advantage of available student funding resources:
- Meet with financial aid advisors at your top schools.
- Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This comprehensive application covers all major federal financial aid programs, from Pell Grants to Stafford Loans.
- Fill out university financial aid forms, which cover scholarships funded by private donors and public agencies.
- Ask your employer about educational incentives such as tuition grants or loan forgiveness programs.
- Apply for private scholarships through civic organizations, nonprofits, etc.
- As a last resort, look into low-interest student loans. The federal government generally offers the best terms--the subsidized Stafford loan, for example, covers interest payments until you graduate.
To save money on living expenses, consider choosing a program that allows you to earn a master's degree online while you work. You can find further graduate education funding resources at WorldWideLearn.com.
Step Three: Build Your Academic Network
Whether you target an academic or professional research career, your professional prospects depend as much on the relationships you build as the knowledge you gain. Collaborative research is a common feature of graduate environmental engineering programs. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to swap ideas and share expertise with colleagues working on similar or complementary research problems.
Take the following steps to start building your academic network now:
1. Join Professional Associations
Major professional associations in environmental engineering include the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). More specialized organizations include the Water Environment Federation and the Air & Waste Management Association.
2. Read Journals
Journals give you an inside look into the cutting-edge research in your field. Major environmental engineering publications include Journal of Environmental Engineering (ASCE journal), Environmental Engineering Science, Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine, and International Journal of Environmental Engineering. Also look for journals in your specialized field; the International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, for example, offers a more specialized forum for hydrology research.
3. Attend Networking Events and Conferences
Universities, professional associations, and engineering firms sponsor networking events to foster community and intellectual exchange among environmental engineers. These events offer a golden opportunity to connect with future colleagues and begin your search for a research mentor.
Establishing relationships now will ensure that you have the right support network in place to excel as an environmental engineering graduate student.
Applying Your Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering
Today's environmental engineers are looking to advanced biological, chemical, and mechanical research to solve our most pressing environmental problems. A master's degree in environmental engineering gives you access to the scientific knowledge and state-of-the-art research equipment you need to become part of the solution. Whether you earn a master's degree online or on campus, you'll graduate with the tools to make a difference in reversing and preventing environmental damage.
Sources
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
- "Engineers," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Education.
- Graduate Programs: Degrees Offered Within Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
- Graduate Programs in Sustainable Engineering, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
- Graduate Schools in Biological Sciences Ranking, U.S. News & World Report (2009).
- Information About Environmental Engineering Careers, American Academy of Environmental Engineers.
- Master of Engineering, MIT Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.
- National Assocation for Environmental Professionals (NAEP).
- Schwartz, Jill, ed. Graduate Programs in Engineering & Applied Sciences 2010. Peterson's Guides (2010).
- Search All Accredited Programs, ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
Collapse 
