NSEE Master's in Natural Science and Environmental Education
Online
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Online environmental education master's degree
Hamline understands your dedication to ecological stewardship and literacy because we’re dedicated to them, too. We serve formal and informal educators alike by providing our master's in environmental education online, enabling you to do your field experience where you live or at sites throughout Minnesota.
Our graduates include naturalists, museum directors, zoo administrators, technical innovators, classroom teachers, and environmental nonprofit leaders.
This master's degree is for formal and informal educators and does not provide you with a teaching license. If you're looking to get your initial teaching license, explore our master's in teaching degree.
What will it take?
MAEd:NSEE degree program details
Start dates and application deadlines
We review applications on a rolling basis, meaning you can apply and start your master’s in natural science and environmental education online at three different times throughout the year. We recommend applying at least six weeks before the term you want to start to ensure your spot.
Environmental education master’s online
Hamline's master's in natural science education is offered fully online. Some individual classes may meet synchronously at a set meeting time online in the evenings. You can choose elective coursework that is online, or in-person field experience opportunities.
Time to complete your master’s in environmental education
You decide your pace, so—if you want—you can graduate in as few as 18 months. You're free to take as many or as few classes as your schedule allows.
Natural science and environmental education courses
You’ll finish your master’s in natural science and environmental education degree online in 12-14 courses.
Core courses (20 credits):
The core of the master’s in natural science and environmental education is made up of six courses:
- GED 8200: Understanding Learning (2 credits)
- GED 8210: Investigating Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education (2 credits)
- GED 8220: Policy, Leadership, and Advocacy in Education (4 credits)
- GED 8400: Research Design (4 credits)
- NSEE 8110: Foundations of Environmental Education (4 credits)
- NSEE 8120: Earth Systems: Biomes (4 credits) or NSEE 8130: Environment and Society (4 credits)
Elective courses (10 credits):
Complete credits in one of Hamline’s certificate programs—or our Teacher Field School program— and you'll further your expertise and add an additional credential to your resume.
- Complete Hamline’s Environmental Education Certificate
- Complete Hamline’s Climate Literacy Certificate
- Complete Hamline’s Nature-based Early Learning Certificate
- Participate in our Nature-Based Education Field School and earn credits to apply to your electives
- Complete 10 credits in courses of your choosing
How to apply to the MAEd:NSEE program
- Online application (no fee for US residents).
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must submit both the original transcript and an official course-by-course English translation by a NACES-approved organization. Official transcript of a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 from a regionally accredited college or university. This should be sent directly from the institution to Graduate Admission or provided in a sealed, signed envelope. Official electronic copies should be emailed to gradprog@hamline.edu. You do not have to provide transcripts for courses taken at Hamline University.
- Two-page essay explaining your personal and professional philosophy of education (MAEd), environmental education (MAED:NSEE), or literacy education (MALEd); how this program will support your personal and professional growth in the field; and how you hope to contribute to the field as a result of your graduate studies.
- Non-native speakers of English must also submit evidence of either a bachelor’s degree from an English-language university or a TOEFL iBT of 80, IELTS score of 6.5, or Duolingo of 105.
If you have a GPA of 2.5-2.9, you may still be considered for admission. Please also provide:
- A one- to two-page narrative to help the admissions committee assess your academic history and qualifications, in the context of the high standards for academic performance in our program.
- Two letters of recommendation written by people unrelated to you, who are familiar with your academic and/or professional history and who can accurately assess your potential for successful graduate study.
Hamline was accessible, and Hamline was affordable. Hamline’s master’s program did not put me under—I was able to afford it and pay it off really quickly.
How we help make your master’s in natural environmental education affordable
Competitive tuition
When you invest in a master's in environmental education from Hamline, you benefit from a prestigious degree from Minnesota's first university. We work hard to ensure our tuition, accompanied by scholarships, tuition discounts, and other financial aid, is a worthwhile investment for all students.
Generous financial aid
In addition to the scholarships and tuition discounts listed below, additional financial aid is also available, and many graduate students use low-interest loans to finance their education.
- Academic merit scholarships - $1,500
- Leadership scholarships - $1,500
- Learning partnership discounts - 10% off tuition
- Service scholarships - 10% off tuition
- Alumni discounts - 10% off tuition
Nationally-accredited program
As one of only a handful of universities worldwide to be accredited by the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE), our master’s program in natural science and environmental education is a comprehensive, engaging program that prepares environmental educators to take the lead.