Explore what makes each of Oregon State’s online environmental bachelor’s degrees unique and find the best fit for your academic or career goals
Want a career focused on sustainability, the protection of natural resources or climate resilience? Then learning online with Oregon State University is a great way to continue your education and gain new skills.
As one of only three universities in the nation to hold the distinction of being a land, sea, space and sun grant institution, Oregon State is a leading public research university — with faculty experts who work at the forefront of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Another thing we excel at? Supporting and training the next generation of skilled professionals who can carry out environmentally conscious work.
That’s where you come in.
Read on to better understand the benefits of earning your bachelor’s degree online in:
- Environmental sciences
- Environmental economics and policy
- Natural resources
- Geography and geospatial science
- Sustainability
While these programs may share certain similarities, each offers distinctive features and areas of focus that will make a big impact as you plot your career. Use the links below to explore each program’s unique curriculum and find the best fit for you.
Environmental sciences
The lowdown
Gain a rigorous education in basic sciences, applied sciences, quantitative analysis and policy as you train to become a scientist focused on addressing pressing environmental problems such as climate change, conservation and resource management.
Your student experience will involve predicting environmental change, participating in responsible management of the environment and examining the critical relationship between humans and their surroundings. You’ll also learn to supplement your scientific foundation with perspectives in environmental ethics, economics and policy.
They said it
“This is an exciting program that offers interdisciplinary training in the natural sciences and social sciences, and the knowledge you gain will prepare you to act as a bridge between those two worlds.” — Dawn Marie Gaid, Ecampus environmental sciences academic advisor, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
Learn more about environmental sciences »
Environmental economics and policy
The lowdown
Explore the environment through the lens of human behavior and policy so you can build an impactful career and bring about meaningful change. Earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental economics and policy online will give you important foundational knowledge in theory and quantitative methods and build your skills in communication, law, and environmental science — all of which are essential to finding and advancing better policy solutions.
Essentially, you’ll learn how to harness the power of economics and policymaking to help advance sustainability and create much-needed progress in today’s world.
They said it
“Most environmental problems are the result of choices made due to outdated or conflicting policies. The environmental economics and policy degree makes you an expert at identifying solutions to the big issues facing humanity.” — Jeff Reimer, department head and professor, Department of Applied Economics
Learn more about environmental economics and policy »
Natural resources
The lowdown
Our natural resources are finite, but the influences weighing on them — social, ecological, political and economic — seem endless. With an online bachelor’s degree in natural resources from Oregon State, you’ll learn how these various factors impact resource use and environmental policy and how to balance the needs of each. This program allows you to choose between unique specialization options — allowing you to gain expertise in areas like wildland fire ecology, landscape analysis, ecological restoration and more.
Regardless of which specialization you choose, you’ll gain a broad skill set in natural and social sciences that can be applied to careers in research, education, business, policymaking or conservation law enforcement.
They said it
“This degree offers you a highly customizable program to develop technical expertise across disciplines.You’ll gain hands-on skills for conserving and protecting natural resources and acquire in-demand capabilities in data analysis, sustainability planning, and environmental impact evaluation. This flexible degree provides a broad foundation with ten specialization options —empowering you to tailor your education to your unique career aspirations in fields like conservation, green energy and resource stewardship.”—Terina McLachlin, academic advisor and natural resources program manager
Learn more about natural resources »
Geography and geospatial science
The lowdown
Geography and geospatial science explore people’s relationships to their physical environment and natural, cultural and built resources using geospatial tools to understand and analyze these relationships. When you earn a bachelor’s degree in geography and geospatial science online, you’ll learn how to apply concepts and theories of geography to pressing social and environmental questions and how to use tools like remote sensing, interactive cartography, web mapping, geospatial analysis and geographic information systems (GIS) to collect, store, analyze and present spatial information.
Earning a geography and geospatial science bachelor’s degree can prepare you for careers in which you help communities mitigate environmental hazards like forest fires, make better use of natural resources, and encourage environmental justice in land use and environmental planning processes.
They said it
“Learn how geographers study issues like justice and global change, and how you can apply geospatial science and technologies to solve real-world problems in the environment and society.” — Julia Jones, distinguished professor and program head for geography, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
Learn more about geography and geospatial science »
Sustainability
The lowdown
Gain a deep understanding of human impacts on ecosystems and learn how to effectively address complex social, environmental and economic issues through the lens of sustainability. You’ll develop practical skills that are increasingly in demand in both the public and private sectors, including how to create sustainability assessments, interpret and analyze data, and design and evaluate responses to sustainability challenges.
Oregon State’s online sustainability degree is offered as a double degree program and serves as a wonderful complement to OSU’s other online undergraduate programs in conservation, plant and animal sciences.
They said it
“Our sustainability program will empower you with the tools to become an agent of positive change in a rapidly evolving world. Through a blend of online education and practical application, you will emerge ready to dive into a meaningful career and build solutions that drive prosperity, equity and environmental responsibility.” — Samuel Bell, assistant professor and director of the sustainability degree program, College of Agricultural Sciences
Learn more about sustainability »
Want to explore more options?
You can research and compare all of Oregon State’s online undergraduate degrees in the conservation and natural sciences on our website.
Have a question about the application process? Our enrollment services team is here to help you gather information about Oregon State’s online environmental degrees.
