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Browse Online Programs

Oregon State University Ecampus delivers degrees, certificates and microcredentials online to students all over the world. The goal is simple: to give you greater access to learning opportunities that blend quality, engagement and innovation.

Oregon State is consistently ranked one of the nation's best providers of online education by U.S. News & World Report and other publications.

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Program Topic

Program Type

52 programs in conservation and natural sciences available

Undergraduate degrees (15)

Close-up of green wheat stalks against bright blue sky

Agricultural Sciences

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Design your own degree in agriculture through flexible curriculum that spans subjects such as agriculture production, leadership, agribusiness, world food crops and sustainability.

Smiling woman bends down in a barn, gently feeding a sheep as part of her role in caring for livestock

Animal Sciences

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Prepare for work with domesticated animals like cattle, sheep, horses and dogs in a science-driven program exploring animal nutrition, behavior, reproduction and genetics.

Small, golden mushrooms sprouting from moss-covered log on forest floor

Botany

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Study the biology of plants and fungi through subjects like plant structure, biodiversity and genetics to better understand human impact on plant and ecological systems.

Overhead shot of agricultural field with green and yellow crops and red soil

Crop and Soil Science

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Dig deep into crop and soil science with courses related to natural systems, field crop agriculture, water and soil resource management, and sustainable agriculture practices.

Massive roadway with cars splitting a wooded area with deciduous trees and a small city to the east

Environmental Economics and Policy

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Develop a strong economic skill set – supplemented by education in biological, physical or social sciences – as you prepare for a multifaceted career in environmental analysis.

Snow-capped mountain reflecting in an alpine lake with beautiful pine forest along shoreline

Environmental Sciences

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Pursue a rigorous, integrative education in science and policy as you learn to address global challenges like climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss as an environmentally focused scientist or analyst.

Fish jumping toward the open mouth of a grizzly bear standing at the top of a waterfall

Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Learn how to maintain balance for fish, wildlife and the delicate environments they live in through science-based curriculum that emphasizes applied ecological principles.

Aerial image of Earth with large river, tributaries and mountain ranges

Geography and Geospatial Science

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Use the power of big data analysis and visualization technologies to explore humanity's relationship with our physical environment and natural, cultural and built resources.

Thousands of cherry tomatoes growing in tall rows inside a commercial greenhouse

Horticulture

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Grow your skills in horticultural production through the study of topics such as plant pathology, pest and weed management, applied ecology and agricultural policy.

Aerial view of Hatfield Marine Science Center with research vessels docked at a pier, academic buildings, and forested hills in the distance.

Marine Studies

B.A. or B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Navigate social, political and cultural issues of marine systems through the lens of the humanities, arts and sciences — with a focus on sustainability.

Pathway beside beautiful lake with bright yellow aspens and snow-capped mountains in background

Natural Resources

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Explore natural and social sciences through a customizable curriculum that considers the interrelationship between our planet's resources and the human dimensions that impact them.

Herd of buffalo grazing on yellow grasslands beside a river with cliffs in background

Rangeland Sciences

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Study the ecological, socioeconomic and policy aspects of rangeland management as you prepare yourself for a wide-open career in conserving and managing ecosystems and their resources.

Aerial view of apartment building with green roof and plants growing in courtyard

Sustainability

B.S. (Postbaccalaureate or double degree)

Overview | Careers | Skills

Gain interdisciplinary expertise in sustainable practices through this double-degree program, and build a career that can impact all aspects of global business, politics, economics and society.

Two park rangers on horseback ride through tall grass, heading towards a large body of water with distant forested hills in the background

Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Learn how to facilitate outdoor experiences that respect and protect natural resources and cultural heritage. Gain real-world skills from a program focused on sustainability, justice and equity.

Fuzzy brown beaver wading into shallow water next to green leaves and branches

Zoology

B.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Study the vast field of animal biology – from DNA to ecosystems – and gain a broad scientific foundation that will prepare you for a wide range of careers in the life sciences.

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Undergraduate certificates (5)

Two workers walking through a solar panel installation

Climate Change Solutions

Undergraduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the physical and social sciences behind climate change so you can develop the skills needed to create actionable solutions and seek climate justice.

Aerial view of a city skyline set behind green fields, interconnected ponds and mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Environmental Justice

Undergraduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Develop the tools to understand and address the unequal distribution of environmental risks and benefits in a program that combines environmental science with social justice principles.

A meteorological map of the United States overlayed with weather systems, including hurricanes and severe weather

Geographic Information Science (GIScience)

Undergraduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Discover how to use geographic information technologies, and develop a skill set that is highly valued in science, natural resources, government, industry and business.

A winding garden path surrounded by vibrant flower beds in full bloom, with a variety of colors under a blue sky with clouds

Horticultural Therapy

Undergraduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Gain the knowledge you need to design therapeutic gardens and provide care through the healing influence of nature for diverse populations who are facing health or emotional issues.

A close up of someone filling a 3-gallon jug with clean drinking water. Several people in the background are doing the same.

Humanitarian Engineering

Undergraduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Build technical engineering skills and learn to analyze the social, environmental and economic context as you work with underserved populations to help gain safe access to vital resources.

Undergraduate microcredentials (10)

Person in a greenhouse using a laptop to analyze plant data while working near a robotic arm used in agriculture.

AI Fundamentals for Agricultural Sciences

Microcredential (introductory)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Learn how AI tools streamline irrigation, monitor livestock, predict crop yields, detect pests and more in a program that combines AI basics and industry-specific skill-building.

Mountain landscape with snow peaks and winding river highlighting Earth's diverse natural environments.

AI Fundamentals for Earth Systems

Microcredential (introductory)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Examine how AI technologies both rely on and impact natural resources, and explore their potential to advance climate solutions through modeling, prediction and optimization.

Remote weather station collecting environmental data in a vast green landscape with a mountain in the distance.

AI Fundamentals for Natural Resource Management

Microcredential (introductory)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Develop a foundational understanding of AI and build critical skills in deploying these tools to monitor ecosystems, model natural processes and inform management strategies.

Scientist in a life jacket writes field notes on a clipboard while seated in a boat on open water.

Environmental and Science Writing

Microcredential (advanced)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Study environmental and science writing and practice translating complex research results into effective messages that are tailored to the needs of your target audience.

Two people in lab coats working in a modern laboratory, with one holding a pipette and the other seated near microscopes and computer equipment on a white workbench.

General Chemistry

Microcredential (introductory)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Learn important chemical principles and theories, develop safe laboratory practices and broaden your understanding of the societal implications of chemistry.

Digital terrain map with multicolor elevation shading representing GIS analysis of landscape features.

GIS and Mapping Foundations

Microcredential (introductory)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Build or formalize your GIS and mapping skills in a program that blends foundational instruction and hands-on experimentation for rewarding careers in planning and data analytics.

Bright red cup fungi grow among moss and leaves on the forest floor, illustrating fungi’s role in natural ecosystems and forest ecology

Mycology

Microcredential (advanced)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Learn how to identify and classify fungi and lichens of all shapes and sizes, and build your real-world skills with assignments in fungal collection and at-home laboratory work.

A natural sandstone arch formation in a desert landscape, known as Delicate Arch, stands prominently under a vivid sunset sky with shades of pink, orange, and purple.

Outdoor Recreation Resource Management

Microcredential (introductory)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Develop practical knowledge and skills for the strategic management of parks and outdoor recreation, including sustainable water and land resource management.

Close-up of a vibrant Bird of Paradise flower, showcasing its unique structure and vivid colors against a blurred natural background

Plant Biology

Microcredential (introductory)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Build skills in plant identification and physiology and become prepared to contribute meaningfully to plant-focused work in science and sustainability.

Small mushrooms and mosses grow among fallen leaves on a forest floor, highlighting plant systems and their natural environment

Plant Ecology and Biodiversity

Microcredential (introductory)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Learn how plants interact with one another and their environment, and gain critical experience in identifying vascular plants and analyzing vegetation patterns.

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Graduate degrees (6)

Clear river winding through rocky banks and golden autumn trees beneath mountain peaks and a bright blue sky

Biological and Ecological Engineering

MEng

Overview | Careers | Skills

Gain skills in nature-based engineering in an online master’s program that prepares you for a career solving real-world problems in rivers, forests, farmlands and more.

A panoramic view of Mt. Kirkjufell, a mountain in Iceland, accompanied by nearby waterfalls, near the Icelandic coast

Environmental Sciences

M.S. or PSM

Overview | Careers | Skills

Choose between two master’s pathways in the environmental sciences. Gain rigorous training and focus on research areas like ecosystem function and health, water and natural resources management, environmental policy, and future climate scenario impacts.

A male and female Chinook salmon jump out of the water as they swim upstream in a fast-flowing river

Fisheries and Wildlife Administration

PSM

Overview | Careers | Skills

Accelerate your career with advanced training in fish or wildlife biology, ecology, management and conservation. This program is ideal for professionals already working in fish and wildlife administration.

Satellite image of the Mississippi Delta in Louisiana taken after Hurricane Ida

Geography and Geospatial Science

M.S.

Overview | Careers | Skills

Apply spatial data analysis to Earth systems and human-environment interactions to address issues ranging from climate resilience and environmental justice to transportation and public health.

In a panoramic view of Morskie Oko, a lake in the Polish Tatra Mountains, the sun crests over a rocky peak behind the lake

Natural Resources

MNR

Overview | Careers | Skills

Engage with customizable curriculum based on natural and social sciences as you learn to balance environmental, economic, health and cultural interests within the work of resource management.

A modern OSU building interior featuring exposed mass timber, large windows, and open stair seating, showcasing innovative construction

Wood Innovation for Sustainability

PSM

Overview | Careers | Skills

Gain expertise in wood science and technology as you study sustainable manufacturing, product design and material recovery in a non-thesis program that opens pathways to leadership roles.

Graduate certificates (15)

A power repair technician stands in front of a large power transmission tower at sunrise

Energy Policy

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Broaden your knowledge of U.S. energy policy, how it impacts the development of energy markets, and the technologies and resources currently in use and under development.

An aerial photo of a river, bordered on each side by lush, dense forest, with a handful of trees jutting through the water

Environmental Management

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Help organizations build more sustainable practices with skills in environmental management systems, ESG reporting and investing, humanitarian engineering, green infrastructure and more.

A fishing boat moving through the ocean water with the sun setting behind it

Fisheries Management

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Gain the practical skills in biology, assessment science and social science that you need to manage sustainable recreational and commercial fisheries in collaboration with scientists and policymakers.

Various mountain peaks in the evening sky, with one covered in snow, others covered by trees and clouds blanketing some

Forests and Climate Change

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Learn how climate change impacts forest ecosystems and approaches to improve forest management for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

An aerial satellite image of desert landscape with many green circles in the form of pivot irrigation crop circles

Geographic Information Science

GIScience Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Develop skills in remote sensing, geospatial data collection and analysis, geovisualization and the use of machine learning to measure and model systems of human and environmental interaction.

A group of people stand in a circle, listening to a woman at the center speak while holding a clipboard

Leading and Creating Change

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Using practical methods, develop professional leadership skills that are valued by organizations that prioritize social, organizational and environmental health and justice.

Upward view of a building featuring laminated mass timber construction, highlighting its curved architectural design against the sky

Mass Timber

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Develop expertise in sustainable construction, and gain skills related to mass timber products and the methods driving innovation in their production, design, fabrication and construction.

An apple orchard with dozens of red apples on trees

Organic Agriculture

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Grow your understanding of the science behind organic agroecosystems as well as your ability to manage them as you equip yourself for work in organic food production, policymaking or education.

A stand of yellow aspen trees

Sustainable Natural Resources

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Gain a holistic view of sustainability as you tackle environmental, economic and social challenges that call for multidisciplinary problem-solving skills and a global perspective of resource management.

Professor and student examine a modular structure made of recycled wood, engaging in hands-on learning about sustainable design

Timber Circular Economy

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Study sustainable forest management, life cycle analysis and resource optimization, and learn via real-world applications that aim to reduce waste and enhance the competitive advantage of renewable resources.

A hand wearing a white latex glove holds a clear glass test tube filled nearly to the top with water from a river.

Toxicology

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Explore how toxins impact our environment, human health and food safety and learn how to determine and limit toxicity risks.

A city skyline with trees in the foreground and tall buildings in the background

Urban Forestry

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Apply principles of forestry, green infrastructure, horticulture, urban planning and landscape architecture to the stewardship of planted landscapes and native forest remnants in and around cities.

An aerial photo of two people standing atop a dam wall with water on one side and the concrete face of the dam on the other.

Water Conflict Management and Transformation

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Help communities manage a crucial natural resource as you facilitate water governance and conflict resolution, drawing on multidisciplinary expertise to balance ecological, social and economic interests.

A clear, blue river flows powerfully around boulders and rocks, with an evergreen forest and blue sky in the background

Water Resources Engineering

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Study the hydrologic cycle and learn modeling and analysis skills, so you can help develop more sustainable solutions for water resources management.

An elk with massive antlers stands looking at its surroundings amid brush.

Wildlife Management

Graduate Certificate

Overview | Careers | Skills

Apply a range of applied sciences to manage wildlife populations, with a focus on practical skills that will help you balance habitat conservation and wildlife population dynamics with human dimensions.

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Graduate microcredentials (1)

Group of people in winter gear standing under a ski lift structure, holding ski poles and wearing helmets, with snow-covered ground and equipment visible in the background.

DEI in Natural Resources

Graduate microcredential (advanced)

Overview | Courses | Skills

Learn important DEI, social sustainability and collaborative problem-solving skills that support a more inclusive and effective governance of natural resources.

Learn more about Oregon State’s online bachelor’s degrees, master’s programs and graduate certificates focused on conservation and natural sciences.