Degree Title
Bachelor of Arts
Spring 2025 Start Date:
January 6, 2025
Summer A 2025 Start Date:
May 5, 2025
Overview
There's never been a greater need for skilled professionals who understand the increasingly complex environmental issues of natural resource management. FIU's online bachelor degree in Sustainability and the Environment introduces students to factors that determine the sustainability of human institutions, organizations, cultures and technologies in different environments. This fully online program is multidisciplinary, with a focus on developing creative, adaptive solutions to real-world challenges. The curriculum addresses the connections between people in their social, natural and built environment, so that students will be able to think holistically about sustainability issues.
Take the next step.
With FIU Online, you can learn anywhere, anytime. With our flexible, convenient, fully online program, you can earn your degree and still balance your work, family and community commitments. Our interactive technology enables you to watch lectures, get real-time feedback from your instructors and collaborate with classmates on projects. Plus, we provide you with a personal success coach who will provide you with one-on-one guidance every step of the way.
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Why Apply?
Sustainability is about meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of the future. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in Sustainability and the Environment will have the in-demand skills to launch and manage green initiatives in public, private and non-profit organizations.
FIU Online's faculty from the department of Earth & Environment are well-respected scholars in environmental sciences and natural resource management issues.
Green Career Opportunities
The bachelor’s degree in Sustainability and the Environment will open doors to jobs in the fields of environmental sustainability and environmental management. Career paths include:
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Entry-level sustainability position
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Park management
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Transportation coordinator
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Sustainability coordinator
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Sustainability director
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Sustainability manager
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Sustainability analyst
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Energy efficiency analyst
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Operations manager
Wages & Employment Trends for Environmental Scientists and Specialists
People who worked as sustainability coordinators in January 2014 and took home a salary within the 10th–90th percentile range earned $29,564–$68,040 with the potential for bonuses up to $4,907, reported PayScale.com. Industries that hired sustainability coordinators included colleges and universities, local government, healthcare, engineering consulting and architecture.
Florida Median income: $49,300
Florida rate of growth: +9%
National Median wages: $63,570
National Projected growth: +19%Source and more information: O Net OnLine
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Courses
Program Completion Requirements
Total Credits: 120
Sustainability and the Environment Credits: 60A total of 120 credits are required for the Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and the Environment.
Pre-Requisites:
For students transferring into the degree with 60 credits, it is highly recommended that they have completed:
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An introductory stats course
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Micro economics (ECO 2023)
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FIU College of Arts, Sciences & Education foreign language requirement (2nd semester completion)
This will allow students to complete a minor or specialization within the 120 credit hours. However, if these courses are not taken before completing 60 credits, it will not result in denial of a student’s admission.
Recommended Courses
PSC 1515 – Energy and the Natural Environment. This course, if taken at Miami Dade College, can substitute for EVR 1001 (Required).
Lower Division Requirements
ECO 2023 – Principles of Microeconomics
EVR 1001 – Introduction to Environmental Science – GL*
EVR 1001L – Introduction to Environmental Science Lab
EVR 1017 – Global Environment and Society - GL*
MAC 1005 – College Algebra
STA 2023 – Statistics for Business and Economics or STA 2122 – Statistics for Behavioral and Social Sciences I or STA 3111 – Statistics I
Upper Division Program
Recommended Courses
ENC 3213 – Professional & Technical Writing
POS 2042 – American Government
STA 3112 – Statistics II
POS 3424 – Legislative Process
Required Courses (31)
Natural Dimensions Courses:
EVR 3010 – Energy Flow in Natural and Man-made Systems (Prerequisiste: MAC 1105 – College Algebra)
EVR 3013 – Ecology of South Florida
EVR 3013L – Ecology of South Florida Lab or EVR 4594 – Analysis of South Florida Ecosystems
EVR 4596L – Applied Field Ecology
And any 2 of the following courses:
EVR 3011 – Environmental Resources and Pollution (Prerequisiste: MAC 1105 – College Algebra)
GEO 3510 – Earth Resources – GL*
GIS 3043 – Introduction to Geographical Information Systems or GLY 3759 – Visualizing Our World with GIS
Human Dimensions Courses:
ECP 3302 – Introduction to Environmental Economics
EVR 4352 – US Environmental Policy or POS 4035 Environmental Politics
And any two of the following courses:
REL 3492 – Earth Ethics – GL*
EVR 4321 – Sustainable Resource Development
EVR 4411 – Human Organization & Ecosystems Management
EVR 4415 – Population & Environment Issues
Capstone Sequence Courses:
MMC 3650 – Media and Sustainability or MMC 3303 Global Media and Society
IDS 4232 – Sustainability in Action (capstone course)
Sustainability and the Environment Electives (6)
Two additional courses in any area of sustainability and the environment studies, including courses listed above, either within the environmental specialization, or in any other specialization. A list of acceptable courses will be maintained by the program director.
Note: Minors may be substituted for an area of specialization.
Electives 23 credits (including 9 credits out of the major and minors in related areas such as public administration, journalism, communication, business, etc.)
*Global Learning Course
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Requirements
To ensure every student’s success, we have certain admissions requirements for each of our programs. To help you through the application process, our enrollment advisors are here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.
FIU Admission Requirements
Applications are accepted for Spring, Fall and Summer terms.
Steps to Apply
First Year Students
Please submit the following:
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$30 application fee.
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Official SAT, ACT and/or CLT scores.
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Official high school transcripts.
Transfer Students
Please submit the following:
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$30 application fee.
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Official college transcripts.
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If you have less than 60 transferable college credits, you must also submit official high school transcripts and SAT, ACT and/or CLT scores in addition to any transcripts from postsecondary schools to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
International Students
In addition to the above requirements, international applicants should submit:
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Official English Language Proficiency exam scores (TOEFL or IELTS).
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Official translations of any transcripts, if not in English.
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If you have less than 60 transferrable college credits, you must also submit official high school transcripts with translation.
Returning Students
Returning students must meet the current university and degree-specific requirements to be admitted.
FIU has policies for students who left FIU, please cli ck h ere for more details.
Please submit the following:
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Online application $30 application fee.
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Updated official transcripts
Program Admission Requirements
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Candidates must first be accepted into the university. Students admitted to Florida International University are admitted directly to their chosen major.
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Program Completion Requirements
A total of 120 credits are required to complete the fully online undergraduate degree. Students must complete the University Core Curriculum, University requirements and Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs requirements while satisfying requirements toward their Spanish major and are expected to make good progress based on critical indicators, such as GPA in specific courses or credits earned. In cases where students are not making good progress, a change of major may be required. The Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs advisors work to redirect students to more appropriate majors when critical indicators are not met. For specific course requirements, visit the Courses tab on this program page.
Admission Documents
To complete the online undergraduate programs admissions form, select your program from the application form. You may complete the online application and submit it, even before taking any entrance exams. All supporting admission documents may be sent to:
Florida International University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 659003
Miami, FL 33265-9003
USA
FIU also accepts transcripts electronically via:-
Faster (All FL public institutions)
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Naviance (Typically used by private high schools)
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SMART/Joint Service Transcript – Military records
*Meeting the university minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
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Tuition
We’re thrilled that you’re considering online education and want you to know exactly what to expect for tuition and fees. Education is an investment in your future. Use the following student tuition and fees calculator to determine your costs.
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Top Faculty
Dr. Mahadev G. Bhat
Dr. Bhat's current research focuses on issues related to economics of coastal resource management, agroecology, human dimension issues of the South Florida environment, payment for environmental services, and spatial economics of natural resources. The common theme that spans his research works is the application of ecological-economics approach to environmental problem solving. This approach drastically departs from the conventional economic approach and attempts to integrate ecological and economic principles into a holistic decision-making framework, in order to promote a more sustainable resource management. He uses quantitative modeling tools such as spatial-temporal optimal control models, game-theoretic models, and econometric tools to simulate the dynamic interactions between different ecological and economic sub-systems of a resource or problem under investigation. Such a modeling approach provides policy makers with more objective insights into the policy making process.
Dr. David Bray
Dr. Bray is currently a Professor in the Earth and Environment Department and Director of the Institute for Sustainability Science in the Latin American and Caribbean Center at FIU. He carries out research on community forest management in Mexico and Central America and pursues interests in natural resource and ecosystem management in Latin America and globally. He was Chair and Associate Professor in the Environmental Studies Department at FIU from 1997-2002.
Dr. Assefa Melesse
Dr. Assefa's areas of research include spatially distributed hydrologic modeling, ecohydrology, surface and groundwater interaction modeling, climate change impact studies, water-energy-carbon fluxes coupling and modeling, remote sensing hydrology, land cover change detection and scaling. Dr. Melesse was recognized by the university and awarded for excellence in mentorship.
Dr. Pallab Mozumder
Dr. Pallab is interested in a diverse set of environmental and natural resource management issues (e.g. valuation of environmental goods and services, sustainable development, managing ecological vulnerability, water and coastal resources management). His current research focuses on understanding human dimensions of environmental changes and mitigation of natural hazards. He is also affiliated with International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) and Latin American & Caribbean Center (LACC) at FIU. He received his PhD in Environmental and Natural Resources Economics from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Before joining at FIU, he spent two years as a Post Doctoral Fellow at The Environmental Institute (TEI), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.
Mr. Rodolfo Rego
Dr. Bray is a visiting instructor in the Department of Earth an Environment and is the coordinator of the Learning Assistant (LA) program. He is a geologist and an environmental scientist who specializes in the geology of South Florida and groundwater issues associated with petroleum contamination. He received his B.S. in Geology in 1997 from FIU and his M.S. in Geology in 2002 from FIU.
Dr. James Riach
Dr. Riach's research and teaching interests include the interconnections between ecosystem health and human well-being, with a focus on the Amazon and South Florida regions. His work combines multiple theories and methodologies from anthropology, epidemiology, medicine, ecology, and geography. He also specializes in traditional health knowledge and ethnobotany of native people in the Ecuadorian and Peruvian Amazon. He has worked on health and environmental projects among indigenous rainforest cultures including the Cayapas and the Siona-Secoya of Ecuador and the Aguaruna and Yagua of Peru. As a member of Project Amazonas, Inc., a humanitarian and environmental research and education non-profit organization, he has helped develop integrated strategies to address health, conservation, and development needs in the Peruvian Amazon.
Dr. Jennifer Gebelein
Dr. Gebelein's work focuses on land cover/land use mapping in the Caribbean, and change in the Caribbean landscape due to anthropogenic influences. Her research has involved utilizing satellite image analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial data to assess the land use and natural land cover history of Cuba. Dr. Gebelein has made several field trips to Cuba to acquire field data for accuracy assessment analysis in her land cover maps of the island's vegetation, coastal, agricultural, and urban features. She is a member of the South Florida Geographers Association, American Association of Geographers, and the Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC) Faculty Advisory Board.
120 Credits Required
235.57 Per Credit Hour (In-State) + Fees
648.87 Per Credit Hour (Out-of-State) + Fees
* Total tuition and fees are subject to change.
Highlights
- Fully online degree
- Every online undergraduate student is paired with a success coach
- Program Starts: Fall, Spring and Summer
- Become part of an exceptional community and make the most of your education. Join the Honors College.
