Tackle complex global sustainability and environmental problems. Prepare to lead sustainability initiatives in multiple sectors.
You’re passionate about — and deeply involved in — practical environmental issues, and you're ready to take your commitment to the next level.
Study topics from climate pollution and biodiversity loss, to reconciliation and social and community innovations through a blend of online courses and on-campus residencies.
Gain skills in strategic decision making, teamwork and ways to address the world's most pressing challenges.
Blended delivery
Mix of mostly online courses and on-campus residencies.
Interdisciplinary approach
Integrates environmental science, management and sustainability.
Expert faculty
Taught by leaders in their fields with theoretical knowledge and real-world insights.
Upcoming offerings
Stay tuned for updates or contact us for more information.
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Learn to excel and lead change
The Master of Science in Environment and Management is a transdisciplinary two-year program. It combines leading-edge research with on-the-ground practice and theory.
You'll gain skills to solve sustainability and environmental challenges across sectors, using systems and sustainability perspectives. By studying the inter-relationships between human, social and ecological systems, and critical management concepts, you'll be ready to lead change in your career.
The elective difference
This program shares some courses with the Master of Arts in Environment and Management. The difference is in the elective courses that you'll take.
Through this program, you'll take electives like:
- environmental analysis and remedial technologies
- science and impacts of climate change
- toxicology and risk assessment
- ecosystem science and management
- global environmental systems and processes
If you identify a critical skill or knowledge gap in your learning agenda, you have the option of substituting a course elective from another university, upon approval of the program head and director of the school.
Program outcomes
After completing the program, you'll be ready to lead change and tackle environmental and sustainability challenges across sectors, including government, public, and private.
Learn through a blend of online learning and on-campus residencies.
This blended format helps you balance work with your studies. In many cases, employers may support your schedule, mentor you, or even sponsor your studies.
Online learning
Online courses include readings, lectures, discussions, and assignments. You're expected to meet deadlines and actively contribute to class learning.
You’ll usually take one 10-week online course at a time, requiring 10–15 hours of weekly work. The program begins with a required non-credit course on academic integrity.
Residencies
You'll engage in three, three-week residencies where you can expect to:
- attend classes full time (e.g., Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- complete homework and individual and team assignments outside of class hours
During your residency, you'll be intensively engaged in deep dialogue and inquiry. You'll engage in an innovative project, open space technology and fieldwork, and participate in an integrated social and natural science inquiry.
Residencies are intensive and immersive. You can expect to attend planned recreational and evening events too.
Completion options
You'll complete your degree by writing a thesis, conducting a Major Research Project or through coursework by taking an RRU graduate certificate of your choice.
Option 1: Thesis
Your thesis will focus on topics in the natural or physical sciences. You may test a hypothesis or conduct a scientifically based case study. Thinking ahead about your project is helpful and valuable to include in your application.
Option 2: Major Research Project
This is a great option if you have a very specific challenge to address. To complete it, you may collaborate with an organization, community or association to conduct a participatory research project that leads toward positive ecological, social and/or structural change.
Option 3: Course-based through a graduate certificate
Complete the requirements of your degree with a Royal Roads graduate certificate.
Built with three courses in a variety of interdisciplinary topic areas, you'll have the opportunity to focus your learning. For example you can enhance your knowledge and skills in the the policy and science of climate change or change management.
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Standard admission
- Completion of a four-year (or comparable) science-focused undergraduate degree, from a recognized post-secondary institution, with a minimum GPA of 'B' (3.00/4.33).
- At least two years of relevant work or volunteer experience.
- Applicants who meet the degree requirement, but not the GPA requirement, will normally be required to complete "Academic Writing and Critical Thinking", with a minimum passing grade, prior to commencing the program.
Flexible admission
Applicants who do not meet the Standard Admission requirements will be considered for flexible admission and assessed as follows:
- Normally, six years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Normally, flexible admission applicants will be required to complete "Academic Writing and Critical Thinking", with a minimum passing grade, prior to commencing the program.
English language proficiency
- If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.
Additional recommendations
- Our program is designed to be of most benefit to environmental practitioners who have an interest in, or a responsibility for, leadership and sustainable decision-making. As such, work and volunteer experience are key requirements of admission to the program.
- Indication of potential thesis topic and thesis sponsor is beneficial to a candidate’s application.
All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:
Application form
In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.
Missed your application deadline? While we can’t make any guarantees, we may be able to accommodate late applications if there's still space and enough time to process. If you're interested in an intake that is now closed to applications, apply for the next available intake and email Admissions with your preferred start date. Make sure you’re prepared to submit your program's required documents right away. We can't make an admissions decision without them.
Official transcripts
Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.
All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.
Personal statement
Your personal statement should be no less than a one-page letter indicating your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. Your statement should comment upon your personal and career goals, the expectations you have for the program in relation to the achievement of your goals, and the strengths you feel you can bring to the program. While it is not necessary, you can also include potential thesis interests and potential thesis sponsor.
Letters of reference
It is ideal if one reference letter is based on your work experience and the other based on either your academic performance or community service that you have undertaken. However, two work-related references are acceptable in certain cases. There is no set standard for letter of reference format. The length and level of detail in each letter may vary.
Content of the reference letters should illustrate and support your suitability for admission to the Master of Arts/Master of Science in Environment and Management program. Content may include how your referee feels you will succeed in the program (and why) and how the program will benefit you. Indication of demonstrated skills, competencies and aptitudes and other relevant information about which the referee can comment is beneficial. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned.
Résumé
Your résumé should provide as much information as possible, with special attention given to the past ten years of your career. As a guideline, items in your resume should include:
- Post-secondary education: List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
- Training and professional development: List career-related training and professional development programs. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
- Work experience: Please include name of organization, position, length of service and brief description of duties.
- Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
- Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
- Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
- Other relevant information: Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.
If applicable:
- Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
- Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
- An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
- Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.
For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.
