Sustainability Sciences BS
Earn your sustainability degree online from Southern Miss!
Program-at-a-Glance (Undergraduate)
Credit Hours:
Total Hours: 120
Major Area of Study: 35
Additional Requirements: 26-27
Cost per Credit Hour:
$433.59
Completion Time:
2-4 years
Special Requirements:
None
Learn more about this program:
Make a lasting impact with an online sustainability degree from Southern Miss! This affordable, fully online program provides a comprehensive look at sustainability and resilience, providing you with the knowledge to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges. This program equips you with a broad range of skills, like critical problem-solving and the ability to effectively communicate complex sustainability issues to the general public, shaping you into a versatile scientist. Our program prepares students to:
- Integrate Science & Society: Blend natural science, social science, and humanities to solve complex environmental issues.
- Conduct Powerful Research: Master qualitative and quantitative methods to drive meaningful sustainability research.
- Communicate Complex Concepts: Translate environmental issues for diverse audiences clearly and precisely.
- Develop Career-Ready Skills: Build expertise in critical thinking, collaboration, and project design.
- Understand Sustainability Deeply: Thoroughly examine sustainability’s effects on individuals, communities, and the global environment.
Gain the knowledge and tools to contend with today’s most urgent environmental challenges with an online sustainability degree from Southern Miss! This program allows you to learn from expert faculty in conservation, ecology, climate change, politics, and more.
With the fully online sustainability degree, you won’t have to interrupt your schedule to pursue your passion. Looking for more? Our enrollment coaches are standing by to assist you. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!
Scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!
what can you do with a sustainability degree?
A sustainability degree will allow you to find career opportunities in government agencies, corporations, nonprofits, consulting firms, education, and industries such as energy, agriculture, urban planning, and environmental advocacy.
We are here to help! Our enrollment coaches are standing by to help you take the next step.
We’ll call you soon! In the meantime, learn more about us from our blog or start your application.
General Education Curriculum
Written Communication
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Composition One
|
3 hrs. |
|
Composition Two
|
3 hrs. |
Natural Science
Select 2 courses with labs:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
General Astronomy I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Astronomy II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Biology and Society
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Chemistry and Our Environment
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Chemistry I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biochemistry
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Weather and Climate
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Land and Water
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Physical Geology
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Historical Geology
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Ocean Science
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics I with Calculus
*
|
4 hrs. |
|
General Physics II with Calculus
*
|
4 hrs. |
|
Living in a Material World
*
|
3 hrs. |
Humanities
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Literature
|
3 hrs. |
Select 2 courses, 1 History required:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Civilizations: 1500 to the present
|
3 hrs. |
|
Colloquium on the Pre-Modern World
|
3 hrs. |
|
Colloquium on the Modern World
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Philosophy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Ethics and Good Living
|
3 hrs. |
|
Comparative Religion
|
3 hrs. |
Aesthetic Values
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Art Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
Dance Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Enjoyment of Music
|
3 hrs. |
|
Theatre Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select 2 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
The Human Experience: A Global Perspective on Human Diversity
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Cultural & Linguistic Anthropology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Basic Economics
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
|
3 hrs. |
|
Concepts of Wellness
|
3 hrs. |
|
American Government
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Language
|
3 hrs. |
Mathematics
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Quantitative Reasoning
|
3 hrs. |
|
College Algebra
|
3 hrs. |
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Cultural Systems in the Environment
|
3 hrs. |
|
Technical Writing
|
3 hrs. |
Speaking-Intensive Requirement
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Public Speaking
|
3 hrs. |
|
Interpersonal Communication
|
3 hrs. |
|
Professional Communication
|
3 hrs. |
|
Small-Group Communication
|
3 hrs. |
Capstone Requirement
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Capstone Experience in Sustainable Project Development & Implementation
|
3 hrs. |
Program Curriculum
Major Area of Study Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Introduction to Sustainability
|
1 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introductory Ecology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Chemistry and Our Environment
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
|
3 hrs. |
|
Sustainable Planning and Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Foundations in Society and Sustainability
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Weather and Climate
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Land and Water
*
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course (Writing Intensive):
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Cultural Systems in the Environment
|
3 hrs. |
|
Technical Writing
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Requirements
Calculus
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Calculus for the Arts and Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
|
Calculus I with Analytic Geometry
|
3 hrs. |
Analytics Elective
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Quantitative Methods for Geographic Analysis
|
4 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
Environmental Elective
Select 2 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Living in the Environment
|
3 hrs. |
|
Environmental Improvement Project
|
3 hrs. |
|
Conservation of Natural Resources
|
3 hrs. |
|
Biogeography
|
3 hrs. |
|
Topics in Sustainability Studies
|
3 hrs. |
Society & the Environment
Select 2 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Introduction to Environmental Health
|
3 hrs. |
|
Technical Writing
|
3 hrs. |
|
Cultural Systems in the Environment
|
3 hrs. |
|
Geography and World Political Affairs
|
3 hrs. |
|
Environmental Ethics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Sociology of the Environment
|
3 hrs. |
|
Globalization
|
3 hrs. |
Technology & Analysis
Select 2 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Remote Sensing Principles
|
4 hrs. |
|
Remote Sensing Applications
|
4 hrs. |
|
Quantitative Methods for Geographic Analysis
|
4 hrs. |
|
Spatial Analysis and Modeling
|
4 hrs. |
|
GIS Data Management and Geodatabase Design
|
4 hrs. |
|
Spatial Programming and Automation
|
4 hrs. |
|
Field Methods and Data Acquisition
|
3 hrs. |
Electives
Society & Resilience Electives
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Economic Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Labor Economics
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
|
3 hrs. |
|
Management for Organizations
|
3 hrs. |
|
Operations Management
|
3 hrs. |
|
Global Managerial Policy and Strategy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies
|
3 hrs. |
Technology & Analytics Electives
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Introduction to Computing
|
3 hrs. |
|
Computer Science I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Communication in Public Health
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Macroeconomics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Microeconomics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Map Reading and Cartography
|
3 hrs. |
|
Internet Mapping
|
3 hrs. |
|
Logistics Transportation Systems
|
3 hrs. |
|
Global Supply Chain Management
|
3 hrs. |
|
Calculus II with Analytic Geometry
|
3 hrs. |
|
Critical Thinking
|
3 hrs. |
|
Qualitative Research Methods
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
To get started with the application process, start here.
The program equips students with knowledge and skills to address environmental, social, and economic sustainability challenges. It integrates interdisciplinary coursework in environmental science, policy, geography, ecology, business, and technology to prepare students for an impactful career or advancement into graduate school.
Graduates can find opportunities in government agencies, corporations, nonprofits, consulting firms, education, and industries such as energy, agriculture, urban planning, and environmental advocacy. Jobs include geographic information systems analysts, sustainability managers, outreach coordinators, environmental scientists, renewable energy specialists, environmental economists, ecotourism specialists, and many others in this emerging field.
Some get nervous around higher math, but fear not! We do have options that are not for the math enthusiasts. For example, we have Geography 417, which is a GIS class that covers statistics (and moves you closer to a GIS certificate), and Math 114, which is Calculus for Arts and Sciences, which is a streamlined course and not intended to lead to higher math courses.
We do offer Math 167 Cal 1 that will allow you to advance to Cal II, which is a requirement to be a federally recognized physical scientist (and helps you provide solutions to big data problems).
Yes, all courses listed in the degree have asynchronous offerings. Some have options for synchronous delivery, but all will offer an asynchronous option throughout the typical year.
Yes, the degree is designed for you to take the courses at the pace you need.
Admission Requirements
The following is required from all undergraduate applicants:
- Application for Undergraduate Admission
- $45 non-refundable application fee
- An official high school transcript for freshman (high school) applicants, OR official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school for transfer applicants
- Submission of ACT or SAT scores for freshman (high school) applicants
Students should be mindful of admission deadlines. For a full list of admission requirements, see the University Admission Policies.
Program Academic Policies and Requirements: See University Academic Policies and Requirements
