Professional Science Master's in Sustainability

Sustainability science addresses the relationship between humans and the environment at local and global scales, a transdisciplinary and integrative field at the nexus of the natural and social sciences.

Our Sustainability master’s degree is a one-year, 30-credit professional degree that quickly teaches you the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to embark on a career as sustainability professional. 

The program is designed to ensure that all students can communicate across the divide of natural, technological and social systems to address urgent sustainability challenges with a focus on environmental justice.  

If you’re interested in a sustainability career and have already completed a bachelor’s degree in any field, you’re eligible to enroll. 

Find your path through a specialized concentration in:  

Graduate Certificate In Sustainability 

Looking to hone your skills and explore sustainability as a career path? Temple’s Graduate Certificate in Sustainability is a flexible, 12-credit program with evening courses. This program will strengthen your communication skills across social and natural sciences while learning how to engage in policy arenas, communicate with nonscientists and acquire specific tools to build more sustainable futures. 

The required courses include a transdisciplinary introductory seminar and three professional skills courses. Courses you are likely to take to complete the program could include the following: 

• Fundamentals of Sustainability Science and Environmental Justice  
• Communicating Science to a Broader Audience/Non-scientists  
• Environmental Impact Assessment   
• Field methods in Environmental Justice 

The only thing you need to enroll is an undergraduate degree.

Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Full-time students can complete our Professional Science Master’s (PSM) degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in as soon as a year. This means you can return or enter the workforce quickly. We produce competitive and skilled GIS technicians who easily pass the GISP certification exam. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is one of the 10 most employable skills of 2017 on LinkedIn, and the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the geospatial technology market is growing at an annual rate of 35 percent. We are affiliated with the National Professional Science Master’s Association and work with an advisory board of professionals in the field ensures that we teach the skills employers seek.

Professional Science Master’s in Geospatial Data Science 

Professional Science Master’s in Geospatial Data Science students will learn to process, and analyze spatial data through in-demand technical skills including programming, statistics, big data analytics, application development, machine learning, and interactive and exploratory data visualization. Graduates may be expected to work in contexts outside the realm of traditional GIS jobs, including in corporate environments. With increasing access to geospatial data, the demand for organizations to undertake projects that require geospatial skills and a spatial perspective will increase. Full-time students can complete the Professional Science Master’s in Geospatial Data Science in as little as one-year, returning quickly to the workforce.

Professional Science Master’s Certificates

We offer two graduate certificates that pair well with other graduate programs in the College of Liberal Arts and throughout Temple University. 

The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is for students who already have a BA and want to pursue additional coursework in GIS. Our courses introduce students to a variety of cutting-edge spatial analysis technology and mapping software. The certificate complements our Professional Science Master’s in GIS and serves as a gateway into the program. 

The Certificate in Geospatial Data Science (GDS), is for students who already have a BA and want to pursue additional coursework in Geospatial Data Science. Our courses introduce students to a variety of data science tools with a focus on location-based data. The certificate complements our Professional Science Master’s in Geospatial Data Science and serves as a gateway into the program.