Online Master of Science in Engineering in Sustainable Engineering

Arizona State University’s Master of Science in Engineering in sustainable engineering can empower you to make a difference in our world. This multidisciplinary online degree gives you the flexibility to chart your own path for a range of engineering careers by focusing on sustainable principles that integrate social, environmental, political and economic concerns into engineering theory.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 08/22/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 10

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5-15

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 30

Degree questions, answered.

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What is sustainable engineering?

The core principle of sustainable engineering is to enable long-lasting improvement of the human experience. One key goal toward this mission is avoiding any serious or irreparable damage to the environment. Similarly, sustainable engineers strive to complete work that supports the availability of natural resources in the future. Incorporating sustainability into engineering from the ground up is an increasingly common strategy in many engineering professions.

The topics covered in this program may sound similar to the goals of a master’s in environmental engineering program. However, engineering professionals with a sustainability focus consider a wider variety of concerns for every project. Along with the environment, they also consider a project’s potential influence on societies, economies and local governments.

The skills you’ll gain in this master’s program

Sustainable engineering roles typically require at least a bachelor’s degree with many senior positions preferring applicants who have a graduate degree as well. This program can prepare you to advance within your current sustainable engineering career or equip you to make a career change. In this program, you’ll develop the technical knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this industry. You can expect to build expertise with:

  • Core sustainable engineering principles.
  • Engineering and technological systems.
  • Essential tools, such as life cycle assessment and design for sustainability.
  • Key environmental and social considerations and how they can be integrated into technology design.
  • Natural and human-made system modeling, dynamics and adaptive behavior.
  • Technical communication.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This program builds on engineering fundamentals while incorporating an emphasis on sustainability to help you develop specialized knowledge in this field. The ideal candidate for this program is someone with a technical background in the natural sciences or engineering from an undergraduate degree or previous work experience. You may also qualify if you have educational and career experience in physics, chemistry or environmental-related fields. However, you may need to take a few additional courses to complete the degree and gain the technical expertise required for the advanced courses in this program.

Will my diploma say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”

Sustainable engineering courses

This sustainability in engineering master’s degree is a multidisciplinary program that includes an engineering core curriculum with sustainability focus. The coursework focuses on how to incorporate environmental and social factors into your engineering practice to achieve more sustainable solutions. In addition to developing this broad expertise, you’ll also select a professional elective track to gain specialized skills.


Core

Advanced Earth Systems Engineering and Management


Core

Industrial Ecology and Design for Sustainability


Core

Life Cycle Assessment


Elective

Earth Systems and Industrial Ecology


Elective

Sustainable Energy and Material Use


Culminating experience

Applied Project


Who’s hiring sustainable engineers?

Earning a degree focused on sustainability in engineering can allow you to compete for a variety of roles within this discipline. A growing number of companies are opening sustainable engineering departments or incorporating this practice into their work, providing many job opportunities. Popular fields for graduates include:

Earth systems engineering and management

Energy systems and conservation

Environmental technologies

Green construction practices

Industrial ecology

Life cycle assessment

Sustainable technology systems

Transportation systems

Water systems

Educators with deep experience in engineering and sustainability

Of the 350+ faculty members in Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the majority have been honored with the highest awards in their fields. Faculty milestones include:

  • More than 42 NSF CAREER Awards for early career faculty in the last five years.
  • National Academy of Engineering members.
  • National Academy of Sciences member.
  • National Academy of Inventors members.
  • National Academy of Construction members.

Educators with deep experience in engineering and sustainability

Of the 350+ faculty members in Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the majority have been honored with the highest awards in their fields. Faculty milestones include:

  • More than 42 NSF CAREER Awards for early career faculty in the last five years.
  • National Academy of Engineering members.
  • National Academy of Sciences member.
  • National Academy of Inventors members.
  • National Academy of Construction members.

How to apply

Applicants to the Master of Science in Engineering sustainable engineering program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Application requirements

Additional application information

A long track record of excellence in engineering education

Each student is fully supported on their path to success in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. We have received peer-reviewed programmatic honors from U.S. News & World Report and provide students with a rich learning environment.

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Top 35


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60+


engineering student organizations and student professional societies.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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