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Sustainability Online Program

OU Online Master of Science in Sustainability

The OU Online Master of Science in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management (MSS) prepares graduates for advancement and leadership in a growing sector impacting industries around the world.

Focusing on the energy and materials sectors, the MSS program draws upon the faculty expertise and cutting-edge research conducted within the School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering in the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU. The degree also integrates relevant economics, social sciences, project management, and leadership studies, empowering students to be change agents and equipping them with the skills to develop solutions that move the world forward.

This 100% online, 30-credit hour, 10-course program is designed for working adults and can be completed in just 18 months. Students can start in the fall or spring, joining synchronous sessions led by world-class OU faculty. Courses are conducted over Zoom one evening per week, Tuesday-Thursday. Students will also be given the opportunity for collaboration and shared learning in the “Challenge- Group Project” course, where groups of students complete an independent study on topics of their choice, with the option to attend in person at OU’s Norman campus.  

Why an M.S. in Sustainability?

  1. Academic Excellence: Program curriculum based on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. OU Online’s MSS program has identified objectives aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, and ten courses offered within the MSS program will contribute to achieving those objectives.

  2. A Collaborative Impact: Opportunity for collaboration and shared learning via group project. Students will take a required group project elective to demonstrate in dissertation format the combined materials learned from all courses. Possible projects could be- recycling of asphalt, technoeconomic analysis of CO2 sequestration, cradle-to-cradle design of materials, etc.

  3. Lead in Today’s World: Higher ROI for graduates in the field with a master's degree. Additional earning potential and increased access to job opportunities implies significant value for a degree focused on sustainability. Employer-advertised potential ROI of at least $21,500 higher salary for those with a Master’s, with an average median salary of $100,200 annually (Emsi Burning Glass, 2022).

  4. A Diverse Experience: OU Online’s MS in Sustainability is open to students of all backgrounds. This makes pivoting to a sustainability career easier for interested students that may not have a STEM or engineering-specific background. This will help students meet the rising pressure to understand, comply with, and implement governance surrounding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sustainability regulations.

  5. Accredited Program: Earn the credential needed for opportunities in any industry looking to advance, implement, maintain, or improve sustainability practices. Graduate with a valuable degree from a world-renowned university while expanding your professional network as part of the global OU alumni community.

Learn More

Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering
Sarkeys Energy Center, Room T-301
100 E. Boyd St.
Norman, OK 73019-1004
Phone: (405) 325-5811

Updated 7/19/2023 by Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering: kkelly@ou.edu