Environmental Practice

You see climate change and biodiversity loss as the world's most pressing social-ecological challenges. And you know that solving these wicked problems demands unprecedented collaboration across all sectors. You might be doing environmental work already, or feel compelled to join this rapidly growing field.

Either way, you want an efficient and flexible way to earn a Master's degree that will let you make a difference to your world, and promote a sustainable future for our planet.

The Master of Science in Environmental Practice will prepare you to advance in the rapidly growing range of environmental careers. You'll follow an integrated science approach in your studies. You'll address social, natural and  physical sciences. And you'll explore the cultural and humanities aspects of environmental problems.

As a Master of Science student, you'll focus on approaching environmental issues from a scientific foundation. And you'll gain an understanding of sustainability and ecosystems, environmental risks and remediation techniques, and ways to manage sustainable development.

Flexible choices

This program gives you flexibility to choose what you'll learn, and when you'll learn it. You'll pick from many electives, to shape your current, or future, career path. And you can power through in two years, or take your time to finish in as many as seven. Or see what makes most sense as you go.

It's even flexible around where you'll learn, because a fully online program lets you take classes from wherever in the world you are.

You can build from here

You can earn a Graduate Certificate in Science and Policy of Climate Change as part of your program. In addition, this program and the related Master of Arts in Environmental Practice are developed in partnership with ECO Canada (Environmental Careers Organization of Canada).

The Royal Roads University and ECO Canada partnership was established in response to the growing demand for environmental education that teaches applied, practical, industry-standard skills and prepares graduates for immediate entry to the workforce.

Through this strategic partnership, we are able to provide knowledge and skills training aligned to National Occupational Standards (NOS), and informed by Canada's leading center for environmental labor market research.

Professional certification

Depending on your work experience and competency levels across NOS skill and knowledge domains, you may be eligible to apply for Environmental Professional certification upon graduation. As a nationally recognized designation that signifies professional excellence and integrity, EP certification follows the EP Code of Ethics and requires a commitment to continuing professional development and current practices. Explore the memberships & designations for new practitioners in the environmental sector.

Learn more about becoming an Environmental Professional.

Program outcomes

Once you have completed this program, you'll have skills in assessing environmental and climate impacts, developing and evaluating goals, objectives, and strategies for approaching environmental problems, and preparing, communicating and implementing action plans. You'll be ready to work in industries like governments, non-governmental organizations and the not-for-profit sector.

Standard admission

• Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a related field, with a minimum GPA of 'B' (3.00/4.33), from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• 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" several weeks prior to starting the program and obtain a minimum final grade of B (73%).

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.
• All flexible admission applicants will normally be required to complete "Academic Writing and Critical Thinking" several weeks prior to starting the program and obtain a minimum final grade of B (73%).

English language proficiency

• If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.

Additional Recommendations

• This program is designed to be of most benefit to environmental practitioners who have an interest in, or a responsibility for, leadership in the context of sustainability. As such, work and volunteer experience are key elements considered for admission to the program. As a guideline, we suggest that each applicant should have at least three years of experience working with environmental issues.

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.

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.

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 format for letters of reference. 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 Environmental Practice 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.

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.

Detailed resume

Your detailed resume should include the following:

• Education: List all post secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved. 
• Work experience: (You should expand on this point in case you wish to take advantage of Flexible Admission.) 
• 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. (You should expand on this point in case you wish to take advantage of Flexible Admissions.) 
• 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.