Master of Science in Education: Environmental Education
Engage More Students with Impactful, Outdoor Learning Experiences
Online program
Transfer up to 12 graduate credits
Program includes electives
Learn from seasoned faculty
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this program.
- Duration As few as 12 months
- Cost per Credit $559
- Credit Hours 36
Program Benefits
- Versatile degree with broad range of career opportunities
- Receive one-on-one coaching from your faculty and advisors
- Balanced focus on both theoretical and applied knowledge
- No GRE required for admission
Combine Your Love of the Outdoors with Your Passion for Teaching
Connect with students in a setting where they are receptive to learning. The online Master of Science in Education in Environmental Education will prepare you to create engaging, outdoor learning environments. Ideal for educators, natural resources professionals and community leaders, this innovative program was developed in collaboration with the Oregon State University Extension Service. It is applicable to outdoor schools, after-school programs, and school-affiliated gardens and farms. Earn your degree in as few as five quarters with 100% online coursework.
Nurture Learning Outside of the Classroom
- Develop effective, culturally responsive and inclusive outdoor learning experiences
- Positively impact students and the overall community
- Balanced curriculum focused on both theoretical and applied knowledge and skills
Curriculum: Environmental Education Concentration
Online courses
Finish in 12 – 33 months
36 quarter credit hours
Learn how to design and assess curriculum in an environmental education setting in this MS in Education online program. Explore how the principles, theories and practices of environmental education have evolved over time. Learn how to develop inclusive lesson plans that foster improved access and educational equity to better serve today’s diverse, multicultural learners. Develop a deeper understanding of participatory sciences and its effect on students and communities by conducting authentic, place-based inter- and transdisciplinary investigations.
Required Courses
The Foundations of Environmental Education course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the various principles, theories, and practices of environmental education over time. This course will engage students in analyzing environmental education as a way to develop their own personal philosophy and approach.
The Environmental Education Teaching and Learning course prepares students to design and assess curriculum in an environmental education setting. Students will take the learning cycle and apply it to the development of a lesson plan that incorporates inclusive teaching practices for their applicable setting. Throughout the course, students will identify and address access and equity barriers to ensure that diverse learners can access and engage in environmental education experiences authentically. Prerequisites: Foundations of Environmental Education must be completed with passing grade or taken concurrently.
This course provides an introduction to the techniques of program development and evaluation in the outdoor and environmental education setting. Students will gain skills in developing a program and conducting culturally responsive evaluations of program outcomes, as well as in accessing, understanding, and using existing evaluations to guide practice. Prerequisites: Foundations of Environmental Education must be completed with passing grade or taken concurrently.
This course explores the intersection of environmental education and inclusive pedagogy, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to create more accessible, equitable, and culturally responsive environmental learning experiences. Through a combination of theoretical foundations and practical applications, students will develop strategies to engage diverse learners in environmental topics and foster a sense of environmental stewardship across various communities.Prerequisites: Foundations of Environmental Education must be completed with passing grade or taken concurrently.
This course will provide students with the knowledge and resources to integrate participatory sciences into environmental education experiences. Students will learn the broad range of what participatory sciences are; how participatory sciences can empower youth and communities in diverse ways of knowing; and how participatory sciences can innovatively contribute to scientific knowledge. Students will plan authentic, place-based inter- and transdisciplinary investigations that utilize participatory sciences in a setting applicable to students’ interests.Prerequisites: Foundations of Environmental Education must be completed with passing grade or taken concurrently.
Rise as a Leader in the Growing Field of Environmental Education
In 2016, the state of Oregon passed legislation mandating an outdoor school program for all fifth and sixth grade students, which has created an increased need for qualified environmental educators. This MSED will prepare you to provide outdoor education and serve as a liaison to K-12 teachers who want to gain confidence and familiarity with outdoor learning. You can also boost your salary potential — during the 2023 to 2024 school year, the starting salary for teachers with master’s degrees was 11 percent higher than for teachers with bachelor’s degrees.1
Elementary School Teacher $82,260 Avg. annual salary (Oregon)2
Middle School Teacher $81,360 Avg. annual salary (Oregon)2
Customize Your Area of Study
Tailor your education by selecting one or more of the following concentrations, helping you achieve your personalized career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
The first step is to start your application.
You can change your concentration or add a dual concentration after enrolling in the M.S. in Education: Environmental Education program. However, each concentration includes distinct courses, so your program duration may be extended if you make changes after completing courses for the Environmental Education concentration. To explore the courses for each concentration, visit the courses page.
We accept up to 12 graduate credits for previous college coursework, which must be approved based on alignment with this program’s requirements. Transferring credits can help lower the tuition cost and time required to complete the program. Visit the tuition page to review the program costs.
No, prior work experience is not required. Learn more about our admissions policy by visiting our admissions page.
Students attending Eastern Oregon University can pursue a variety of scholarships. To review the current options, visit the scholarships section.
No, there are not any miscellaneous fees. You can learn more about all tuition fees here.
Sources
- NEA. “NEA 2023-2024 Teacher Salary Benchmark Report.” Retrieved September 16, 2025, from https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/2023-24-teacher-salary-benchmark-report.pdf.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “May 2023 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (Oregon). Retrieved September 16, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes_or.htm.