Sustainability Science and Practice – Bachelor’s Degree Program (BS)

Study Sustainability Science and Practice at UM

Earn your Bachelor of Science degree in sustainability science and practice at UM and prepare to deal with the technical and scientific aspects of putting sustainability measures into practice.

Our program emphasizes the implementation and use of sustainability systems for managing human impacts on air, water, climate, waste, and natural ecosystems — both those currently in existence and those which might serve as solutions in the future.

UM is also a leader in the inclusion of traditional knowledge into a sustainability science curriculum, giving you the benefit of experience and knowledge that’s been passed on for generations.

Our hands-on sustainability degree includes opportunities for supervised internships in community agriculture, native plants and ethnobotany, sustainable living, and other sustainability-related field experiences. A problem-driven capstone course also provides experience integrating scientific and local knowledge to develop practical solutions.

Other environmental sustainability degree options at UM

Minor in Environmental Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

Master of Science in Environmental Studies 

What can you do with a sustainability degree?

Sustainability science is an emerging field that calls for the skilled talent that UM instills in its sustainability graduates. This degree prepares graduates to work in the private or public sectors as sustainability professionals. Others find successful careers in the nonprofit sector or as entrepreneurs.

It’s also a great jumping-off point for additional degrees, such as a master’s in environmental engineering, business, law, economics, and more.

Sustainability jobs

• Sustainability specialist
• Environmental consultant
• Sustainable energy analyst
• Project manager
• Research associate
• Environmental planner
• Nonprofit program manager
• Entrepreneur
• Policy advocate 

Sustainability salaries

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the average annual salary for energy and sustainability specialists in the first two years of their career as $58,000. Those with 3-5 years of experience earn an average of $83,000 and graduates with six years or more experience in the workforce average $97,000.

Alumni Success Story

“The reason I chose to study within this department is its interdisciplinary nature. Focusing not only on the vital environmental sciences, but on other fields such as culture, agriculture, politics and more, are relevant and necessary to build a complete picture of the world as it is today as well as the sustainable future we hope to make for tomorrow.” 

- Luca Welle, Sustainability Science and Practice student at UM

Experiential learning in the sustainability degree program

Experiential education is an integral part of the sustainable science and practice program. Several internship and service-learning opportunities further our students’ understanding and skills necessary for the practice of sustainability. Every sustainability student works with a faculty mentor to complete a capstone project in their senior year.

Internships and service learning in the sustainability degree

The sustainability science program provides opportunities for students to get involved with sustainability initiatives — in the classroom, across campus, or in the community through various kinds of internships.

Our students research and propose sustainability projects on campus and apply for funding from UM’s Kless Sustainability Fund. Students conduct projects to advance waste management, sustainable transportation, and climate change action.

The UM FLAT internship lets students practice sustainability in a student-run living-learning community located next to campus. Student interns implement and test practices such as rainwater harvesting, solar power, superinsulation, straw bale construction, and more.

Through our native plant internship, students work on the restoration of native plants important to Indigenous people on the UM campus and the PEAS Farm.

Career development in the sustainability major

The UM sustainability degree program was designed to help students pursue a career path in sustainability. Our graduates walk away with strengths in analysis and research — skills that can help them rise to the top of the applicant pool.

Networking and professional development in the sustainability program

The Sustainability Careers seminar brings sustainability practitioners into the classroom to meet students and share their varied career paths. In addition to classes and hands-on experience and project-based learning, students build their professional networks by interning and working with local nonprofits, small businesses, and government agencies on sustainability initiatives.  

Clubs and student organizations for sustainability majors

Sustainability science and practice majors are active and love to get involved. They participate in clubs around campus — including the ASUM Sustainability Center, UM Recycling, the Farm to College Program, and Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG), a student-directed organization that works to ensure young people have a strong voice in protecting the environment, empowering young voters, and protecting consumer and renter rights.

Sustainability science and practice scholarships

Several scholarships and fellowships are available for sustainability majors — it’s our way of helping students make a world of difference. Learn more about scholarship opportunities for sustainability majors.

Explore classes for sustainability science and practice

The bachelor’s in sustainability science and practice offers timely courses such as Sustainable Communities; Food, Justice and Sustainability; Community Sustainability in Practice, and Sustainability Reporting.

View all classes for the bachelor’s degree in sustainability science and practice.