Master of Science in Environmental Science
Wayne State's Master of Science in Environmental Science prepares graduates to address many anthropogenic environmental changes taking place in our world today, which includes rigorous courses from several branches of science, including coastal and environmental geology, environmental biology, biodiversity changes, environmental isotope geochemistry, emerging contaminants, biogeochemistry, remote sensing, big data analytics, climate science, toxicology, water quality and environmental law and policy.
Through interdisciplinary course work and the completion of a master's thesis, graduates will be prepared to transition or advance their careers in environmental changes related to consulting, regulatory and research fields as well as allowing students the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. in related fields.
About the program
The human impact on Earth's environment over the past two centuries (Anthropocene) is unprecedented. Population growth, accompanied by high energy demands to power societal development, has impacted the Earth system in many ways. The Master of Science in Environmental Science prepares working professionals who need additional related certification in their fields and/or those interested in pursuing research careers.
Scholarships, financial aid and tuition
Funding
Many of our graduate students are fully or partially self-funded. Some of our M.S. graduate students are supported by graduate research assistantships (GRA), which are funded by faculty research grants. GRA positions are given by individual faculty members and are typically decided on after all of the applications have been received. There is no separate application for GRA positions, however, we recommend contacting the specific faculty members with whom you wish to work to find out if they have any funded positions in their research group.
The environmental science and geology department currently has one graduate teaching assistantship (GTA). There is no separate application for the GTA, but if you have an interest in teaching and would like to be considered, please detail your interest and qualifications in your application for admission.
The Graduate School offers scholarships that can also help cover tuition costs.
Tuition
Special tuition discount of more than 30% for out-of-state students: For the 2025-26 academic year, out-of-state students in the M.S. in Environmental Sciences program qualify for a reduced tuition rate of $1,195.26 per credit hour, making a top-tier education even more accessible.
Career insights
A degree in environmental science can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are just a few of the many opportunities available in this field.
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Brownfield redevelopment specialists and site managers | $81,000 |
| Biofuels production manager | $113,000 |
| Chief sustainability officer | $187,000 |
| Climate change policy analyst | $74,000 |
| Environmental compliance inspector | $74,000 |
| Environmental engineer | $92,000 |
| Environmental engineering technologists and technicians | $38,000 |
| Environmental economist | $10,000 |
| Environmental restoration planner | $74,000 |
| Fish and game wardens | $58,000 |
| Forest and conservation technicians | $54,000 |
| Forest and conservation workers | $37,000 |
| Forester | $70,000 |
| Hydroelectric production manager | $113,000 |
| Industrial production manager | $113,000 |
| Natural sciences manager | $137,000 |
| Park naturalist | $63,000 |
| Range manager | $63,000 |
| Recycling and reclamation workers | $38,000 |
| Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents | $71,000 |
| Solar energy installation manager | $72,000 |
| Sustainability specialists | $76,000 |
| Wind energy development manager | $81,000 |
| Wind energy operations manager | $81,000 |
This data provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.