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Environmental studies professor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an environmental studies professor. Environmental studies professors usually study environmental science, biology, or ecology, population biology, and epidemiology. 69% of environmental studies professors hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 32 real environmental studies professor resumes to see exactly what environmental studies professor education sections show.

The most common colleges for environmental studies professors are the College of Charleston and the College of Charleston.

There are also many online environmental studies professor courses to help get the education required to be an environmental studies professor.

What education do you need to become an environmental studies professor?

What degree do you need to be an environmental studies professor?

The most common degree for environmental studies professors is bachelor's degree, with 69% of environmental studies professors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 23% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 69%
  • Master's, 23%
  • Doctorate, 8%

What should I major in to become an environmental studies professor?

You should major in environmental science to become an environmental studies professor. 25% of environmental studies professors major in environmental science. Other common majors for an environmental studies professor include biology and ecology, population biology, and epidemiology.

Most common colleges for environmental studies professors

Environmental studies professors often get their degrees at College of Charleston, University of Wisconsin - Madison, and Sarah Lawrence College. Here are the most common colleges for environmental studies professors in the US based on their resumes.
Environmental studies professor common collegePercentages
College of Charleston11.76%
University of Wisconsin - Madison5.88%
Sarah Lawrence College5.88%
University of Rochester5.88%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute5.88%

Best majors for environmental studies professors

Best colleges for environmental studies professors

The best colleges for environmental studies professors are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

An environmental studies professor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for environmental studies professors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become environmental studies professors.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

4. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

8. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

10. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

20 best online courses for environmental studies professors

Advertising disclosure

1. Environmental Science

coursera

The Introduction to Environmental Science course explores the field of environmental science and encourages participants to understand how environmental scientists think. It addresses some important questions such as: 1. What is the difference between environmental science and environmental studies? 2. How do both differ from environmentalism? 3. Why is energy so important in environmental science? 4. What do you mean by biodiversity? You will also explore what global cycles are and how they...

2. Women in environmental biology

coursera

Have you ever wondered how humans relate to other living beings and what do you need to know to be able to understand current environmental problems? Do you know that many of these researches and knowledge have been described by women? This course gives answers to these questions and it is addressed to anyone interested in the relationship between humans and other living beings, as well as all those concerned about the global change situation that the planet is suffering. We will learn key...

3. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management system

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4.4
(4,224)

Understand the requirements for an environmental management system according to ISO 14001:2015...

4. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development

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4.2
(954)

Environmental Issues...

5. Introduction to Environmental Science

coursera

To understand current environmental problems, we need to consider physical, biological & chemical processes that are often the basis of those problems. This course will give you the skills necessary to address the environmental issues we are facing today by examining scientific principles and the application of those principles to natural systems. This course surveys some of the many environmental science topics at an introductory level, ultimately considering the sustainability of human...

6. Geospatial and Environmental Analysis

coursera

Apply your GIS knowledge in this course on geospatial analysis, focusing on analysis tools, 3D data, working with rasters, projections, and environment variables. Through all four weeks of this course, we'll work through a project together - something unique to this course - from project conception, through data retrieval, initial data management and processing, and finally to our analysis products. In this class you will learn the fundamentals of geospatial and environmental analysis during...

7. Air Dispersion Modeling for Environmental Management

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4.4
(267)

Environmental management with AERMOD Air Pollution Model by EPA...

8. Environmental sustainability in Maritime transport Industry

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4.7
(312)

A course dedicated to Marine life and Marine Ecosystem...

9. Human Health Risks, Health Equity, and Environmental Justice

coursera

The fourth and final course of the Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health specialization will cover two topics. The first is environmental justice – that is, avoiding an inequitable distribution of environmental health threats in our population, and ensuring a healthy and safe environment and health equity for all. The second is risk assessment and management, a framework that can be utilized to assess and quantify human health risks, and to identify appropriate approaches to...

10. Indigenous Religions & Ecology

coursera

At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the...

11. The A to Z of ESG - Environmental & Social Governance

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4.2
(1,318)

A Perspective for Businesses on How to Manage ESG - Why it matters to Financial Performance and to the Economy...

12. Statistical Problem Solving in Geography

udemy
4.2
(323)

A college level course on how to apply statistics in geography, GIS and environmental science...

13. Driving business towards the Sustainable Development Goals

coursera

Extreme weather events, wars, famine and environmental destruction are just a few of the wicked problems faced by humanity. That’s why in 2015 the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that target the big challenges such as how to eliminate poverty, how to protect the environment and how to bring about peace. Every member state committed to achieving these goals by 2030. What can businesses do to counter...

14. Analyzing Macro-Environmental Factors Using Creately

coursera

By the end of this 2 hour-long guided project, you will be fluent in identifying and analyzing business markets and how to discover their attractiveness to new products and services. This project is designed to engage and harness your visionary and exploratory abilities. You will be using proven models in competitive strategy and the program Creately to explore and analyze these models. This is an important step for individuals or companies wanting to explore new markets for products or...

15. ESG and Sustainable Investing 365

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4.3
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Foundational Course on ESG and Sustainable Finance Anchored in CFA Institute's research...

16. Basics of Sustainability: Learn in Simple Language

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4.3
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Sustainability is not just good to know, it's a must to know in this 21st century...

17. Sustainability Reporting with GRI Standards

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4.3
(694)

GRI Sustainability Reporting - Understanding the Standards...

18. Certified Global ESG Professional (Associate Level)

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4.3
(773)

Learn Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Fundamentals, ESG Factors , Reporting and Valuation of ESG & Initiatives...

19. FAA Part 107 Exam Prep with Quizlet and PDF Study Materials

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4.4
(297)

Pass the exam with the help of an experienced drone pilot and Professor (2023 Updates Included)...

20. Sustainability Management in Business

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4.3
(371)

Everything you need to know about creating sustainable value, ESG and building business resilience...

Top 10 most affordable universities for environmental studies professors

The most affordable schools for environmental studies professors are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for environmental studies professors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for environmental studies professors.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

6. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for environmental studies professors

The hardest universities for environmental studies professors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for environmental studies professors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for environmental studies professors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for environmental studies professors

The easiest schools for environmental studies professors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and san francisco state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an environmental studies professor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for environmental studies professors.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

5. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

6. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

7. California University of Pennsylvania

California, PA • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,007

8. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

9. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

10. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

Average environmental studies professor salary by education level

According to our data, environmental studies professors with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $77,885 annually. Environmental studies professors with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $56,160.
Environmental studies professor education levelEnvironmental studies professor salary
Master's Degree$56,160
Doctorate Degree$77,885

Environmental studies professor education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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