Online M.S. 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 $571
- 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.
A master’s in environmental education is a graduate degree that prepares educators to teach environmental science, sustainability, and conservation concepts across K-12 classrooms, outdoor education centers, nature preserves, museums, and government agencies. The degree combines curriculum design, ecological content knowledge, and place-based pedagogy. EOU’s online MSEd concentration in Environmental Education is designed for working teachers, naturalists, and outdoor educators seeking to deepen both their subject expertise and their teaching practice.
Graduates lead environmental programs in K-12 schools, nature centers, state and national parks, environmental nonprofits, outdoor education organizations, zoos, aquariums, and government agencies like the EPA and US Forest Service. Common roles include environmental educator, outdoor education director, curriculum specialist, sustainability coordinator, and informal science educator. The degree also supports career advancement for current classroom teachers integrating environmental science into existing curricula.
Environmental educator salaries in the US typically range from $35,000 to $65,000, with senior roles at established nonprofits, government agencies, and university-affiliated programs reaching $70,000-$85,000. Geographic region, employer type (public, nonprofit, private), and credential level shape compensation significantly. A master’s degree often unlocks higher pay bands, leadership roles, and curriculum design positions that are not accessible at the bachelor’s level.
Yes. Demand for environmental educators has grown alongside expanding K-12 environmental literacy standards, climate education mandates in several states, and continued investment in outdoor education and conservation programming. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) tracks consistent job growth across formal classroom and informal education settings. The field is particularly strong in regions with active state environmental education plans and outdoor education infrastructure.
EOU’s online MSEd in Environmental Education is designed for working educators and can typically be completed in approximately two years of part-time study, with flexibility for students balancing full-time teaching or field-based work. Specific timeline depends on course load per term and any transferred credits. The fully online format means students can complete the degree from anywhere in the US without relocating.
No. While the program serves many licensed K-12 teachers, it is also designed for outdoor educators, park rangers, naturalists, museum staff, and conservation professionals who work in informal education settings. The degree builds environmental content expertise and pedagogy that applies across both classroom and non-classroom contexts. Specific admissions requirements are available on EOU’s program page.
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.