MST Sustainable Tourism at Arizona State University

Programme overview

In the Master of Sustainable Tourism program, you develop a comprehensive understanding of the environmental, economic and social dimensions of tourism. The curriculum integrates the three pillars of sustainability into established tourism concepts and practices to create a holistic, applied learning experience. You explore innovative approaches to sustainable development within the tourism sector and analyze challenges facing destinations and communities worldwide.

Faculty: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions | Department: School of Community Resources and Development | Duration: 31 credit hours | Study mode: online | Intake: Fall, Spring, Summer | Location: Tempe, AZ, United States

What you will study

31 credit hours including the required applied project course (TDM 593) Required Core (24 credit hours) CRD 569 Advanced Tourism and Recreation Studies (3) TDM 520 Sustainable Thinking in Tourism I (3) TDM 521 Sustainable Thinking in Tourism II (3) TDM 530 Sustainable Tourism Destination Planning and Management I (3) TDM 531 Sustainable Tourism Destination Planning and Management II (3) TDM 540 Sustainable Food Management in Tourism (3) TDM 550 Managing the Sustainable Tourism Business (3) TDM 570 Sustainable Tourism (3) Electives or Research (3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (4 credit hours) TDM 593 Applied Project (4) Additional Curriculum Information One elective or research course is selected from an approved list for three credit hours.

Career pathways

The program is designed for industry professionals who are seeking to advance their careers, as well as individuals interested in transitioning into tourism or sustainability-related fields. Career examples: destination planner and manager, recreation manager, sustainable food systems manager, tourism planner.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field such as tourism, recreation, hospitality, business, geography or planning from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts professional statement resume three letters of recommendation 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.

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

Explore more study programmes

Engineering