Online Master of Sustainable Tourism

Sustainability is an increasingly important topic across the globe. Through Arizona State University’s online sustainable tourism degree, you’ll learn about the environmental, social and economic aspects of travel. After completing this degree, you’ll be prepared to create pioneering, sustainable solutions for the various challenges facing tourism today.

Learn more

Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 08/17/2023


Total classes:

Total classes: 10

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 31

Degree questions, answered.

Have questions about the Sustainable Tourism (MST)? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!

This is a required field.
This is a required field.
Email is required. Please enter a valid email address.
Invalid phone number. Please try again.

What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism centers around identifying and mitigating the potentially negative results of travel on local communities. The ultimate goal is to make tourism more equitable and enriching for everyone involved. By completing a sustainable tourism degree, you’ll learn how to:

  • Design effective strategies to lessen or eliminate the impact of travel on local communities.
  • Discover and interpret travel-related issues.

Why earn a master’s degree in sustainable tourism?

 

A master’s degree in sustainable tourism affirms your knowledge and capabilities in the travel sector. It shows that you can:

  • Balance the need for profit with the importance of sustainability.
  • Craft equitable, environmentally-conscious responses to issues and opportunities in the travel industry.
  • Take all stakeholders into account when making decisions.

Travelers, communities and businesses are paying more attention to sustainability, as are government agencies and nongovernmental organizations. Demand for sustainable tourism will likely continue to increase, leading to growing opportunities for qualified professionals.

What industries are hiring sustainable tourism professionals?

 

You’ll have many possible career paths to consider with a degree in sustainable tourism. Because sustainable tourism considers all stakeholders when working to address issues associated with travel, the tourism industry is a major employer of students who graduate from ecotourism degree programs. However, the tourism industry is far from the only economic sector where you may find a career. A range of government departments and nongovernmental organizations have interests in sustainable tourism, and these groups employ skilled graduates to fill a variety of roles.

What skills will I earn in this online sustainable tourism degree program?

 

As a student working toward a sustainable tourism degree, you’ll learn about the foundational concepts of sustainability and how they apply to the travel industry. One key area of focus is the three pillars of sustainability: social equity, protection of the environment and economic viability. Along with specialized knowledge and talents, you’ll develop more broadly applicable skills, like critical thinking and effective communication.

Will my sustainable tourism degree 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.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Online sustainable tourism degree courses

The curriculum for the sustainable tourism degree emphasizes courses focused on the unique issues in this field. As the culminating experience for the degree, you’ll prepare a project that combines theory and practice. Featured courses include:


Required core

Advanced Tourism and Recreation Studies


Required core

Managing the Sustainable Tourism Business


Required core

Sustainable Food Management in Tourism


Required core

Sustainable Thinking in Tourism I


Required core

Sustainable Thinking in Tourism II


Required core

Sustainable Tourism


Required core

Sustainable Tourism Destination Planning and Management I


Required core

Sustainable Tourism Destination Planning and Management II


What can I do with a sustainable tourism degree?

After earning a sustainable tourism degree, you can consider many career options. Some students use their Master of Sustainable Tourism to advance in their existing professional path, while others turn to new opportunities across the tourism sector. Career examples include:

Ecotourism educator

Ecotourism program officer

Industrial ecologist

Marketing associate

Sustainable tourism consultant/advisor

Travel guide

Educators emphasizing a sustainable future

The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions are inspiring the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues around child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Recent faculty highlights include:

  • Researchers for the Center for Sustainable Tourism.
  • Director of Hainan University – Arizona State University International Tourism College
  • Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
  • Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
  • Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Educators emphasizing a sustainable future

The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions are inspiring the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues around child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Recent faculty highlights include:

  • Researchers for the Center for Sustainable Tourism.
  • Director of Hainan University – Arizona State University International Tourism College
  • Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
  • Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
  • Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Master of Sustainable Tourism admission requirements

Applicants to the Master of Sustainable Tourism program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

Application requirements

Letters of recommendation requirements

Additional admission information

Eligibility

A college dedicated to positive change

The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is a comprehensive public service college dedicated to addressing social problems through teaching, research and service. Our public service programs, from public policy to social work and criminal justice to emergency management, are designed to help prepare our diverse student body to make a difference in the community.

#1


best graduate homeland security and emergency management programs, according to U.S. News & World Report.

#2


in the U.S. and #7 in the world for hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism, according to the Center for World University Rankings.

Top 5


Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Top 5


best online master's in criminal justice programs for veterans, according to U.S. News & World Report.

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.

You might also be interested in

Law and Sustainability (MLS)

Graduate

Law and Sustainability (MLS)


Sustainable Engineering (MSE)

Graduate

Sustainable Engineering (MSE)


Sustainability Leadership (MSL)

Graduate

Sustainability Leadership (MSL)


Sustainable Tourism (Graduate Certificate)

Certificates

Sustainable Tourism (Graduate Certificate)