Ecosystem Sustainability

Many physical, ecological, and social factors interact to shape the future of our ecosystems and societies. CSU's innovative Master of Science in Ecosystem Sustainability, Plan A enables students to develop core competencies in ecosystem science–the study of organisms and the environment–and apply that knowledge to address real-world issues. We help develop leaders in sustainability science: a new generation of practitioners able to address complex, integrated social-ecological problems in collaborative partnerships with researchers, resource users, and decision-makers.

Our graduates have the tools to understand complex scientific questions in sustainability and the leadership and collaborative skills required to address current and future issues in sustainability. The program serves as a foundation for a wide range of careers, including academic and scholarly professions, and work in government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and corporate and entrepreneurial environments.

A focus on solutions

Students work at the cutting edge of new research on ecosystem sustainability. Collaborating with some of the world's leading ecosystem and sustainability scientists, students explore solutions to global problems related to water and natural resources, food supplies, energy, greenhouse gas management, land-use change, climate change, and environmental justice, among others.

What students can expect to gain

During the course of the degree, students will acquire:

• Detailed knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods
• An understanding of complex ecosystem functioning
• A transdisciplinary understanding of social-ecological processes
• The ability to work in teams across disciplines and with decision-makers, resource users, and team members outside of academia
• The skills to conduct integrated assessments using systems approaches; conceptual, mathematical, geospatial, and statistical models; and innovative collaborative processes
• The ability to apply critical thinking in the development of sustainable systems at local and global scales
• Advanced training in the methods of urban ecology and managing the sustainable cities of the future

Local and Global Relevance

Our graduate community benefits from a highly networked program with close working links to the city governments of Fort Collins, Boulder, and Denver, and to local agencies, farming communities, and non-profits across the Front Range. We work at the highest elevations of the Rockies, in the lowest short grass steppe regions, in cities, and in neighborhoods. Our active research programs are spread around the globe: from northern, eastern, and southern Africa to China, Mongolia, Nepal, Tibet, Honduras, and Mexico.

GRE/GMAT Scores

Contact the academic department to verify whether the GRE/GMAT is required. For program contact information, please visit our program pages. The GRE department code can be found at www.ets.org.

Official Transcripts/Credential & Certified Translations

Official transcripts or mark sheets and any certificates, diplomas, or degrees from each college or university attended is required regardless of the length of attendance, including courses in progress. Final records will be required upon completion of the course or degree. ALL records submitted must be in the native language; any credentials written in languages other than English MUST be accompanied by a certified English translation (Colorado State University transcripts are not required). Official documents must be sent through a certified, secure document service, or through the postal mail, directly from your school to CSU. Transcripts and diplomas sent through email are not considered official documents. International students, please use the Guide to Comparable Degrees for graduate study.

Official transcripts and credentials, such as degree certificates, are issued directly by the granting institution where the coursework was completed or the degree was earned (with original seals, stamps, and/or signatures). Officially certified transcripts or degree certificates can be hard-copy photocopies of the original document provided by the issuing institution, the U.S. Consulate’s Education/Culture Departments (or representatives), or by limited U.S. sponsoring agencies (such as Fulbright, IREX, etc.). Notarized copies of transcripts/credentials are not accepted in lieu of official or officially certified documents.

Official transcripts and credentials, such as degree certificates, are issued directly by the granting institution where the coursework was completed, or the degree was earned with original seals, stamps, and/or signatures. Officially certified transcripts or degree certificates can be hard-copy photocopies of the original document provided by the issuing institution, the U.S. Consolate’s Education/Culture Departments (or representatives), or by limited U.S. sponsoring agencies (such as Fulbright, IREX, etc.). Notarized copies of transcripts/credentials are not accepted in leu of official or officially certified documents.

Letters of Recommendation

A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation are required from previous instructors or employers who are able to comment on your abilities and potential for graduate study. You may provide contact information for up to five (5) recommenders. There is no standardized format unless specified by the academic department. Your recommenders will be notified and prompted to supply a recommendation letter through the system. Academic references should be prepared to discuss your academic knowledge and skills, aptitude for graduate study, ability for independent research, and classroom performance related to characteristics such as integrity, leadership, problem solving, and teamwork. Choosing an individual as a reference who has an impressive title but cannot discuss the aforementioned qualities will not result in an informative letter of recommendation that supports your admission. Writing any portion of the recommendations yourself, either in whole or in part, may result in rejection or dismissal.

When applying using the online application system, most documents are uploaded directly by the applicant. For documents that cannot be submitted through the application system, such as official transcripts and test scores, request the documents be sent to the Office of Admissions:

Send official electronic test scores using code 4075.

Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062