MS Sustainability at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Science in sustainability is a research-oriented degree program that culminates in writing either a thesis or publishable scientific paper. The program focuses on knowledge generation and investigating potential solutions to sustainability challenges, and it prepares you for designing and conducting transdisciplinary research.

What you will study

32 credit hours and a thesis, or 32 credit hours including the required capstone course (SOS 596) Required Core (11 credit hours) SOS 510 Perspectives on Sustainability (3) SOS 520 Research Design and Methods for Sustainability (3) SOS 525 Social-Ecological-Technical Systems: Domains and Interfaces (3) SOS 589 Community of Graduate Student Scholars (2) Electives (15 credit hours) methods (3) normative dimensions of sustainability (3) general electives (9) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) SOS 596 Capstone: Scientific Paper (6) or SOS 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information SOS 589 is taken twice for two credit hours total.

Career pathways

Professionals with expertise in sustainability frameworks and interdisciplinary research skills are in high demand across industries, including business, academia and government. Skills in critical thinking, teamwork, sustainability problem solving and research are valuable to businesses and institutions burdened by wicked sustainability problems.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of intent three letters of recommendation resume or curriculum vitae proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The statement of intent should not exceed 600 words and should describe how the applicant's background will contribute to success in the program, and describe how completion of the degree will support long-term career goals.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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