Program Overview

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Environmental Resource Management, M.S.

The Environmental Resource Management program at Florida Tech prepares students with the broad interdisciplinary expertise needed to lead in this space, through dynamic coursework, applied research, and hands-on internship opportunities.

Program Overview

Environmental resource management is about protecting natural systems while enabling the sustainable use of resources. Professionals in this field address complex challenges that span science, policy, business, and regulation. The program provides a strong foundation in the biological and chemical processes that shape natural systems and emphasizes the complex relationships between human activity and environmental change, both locally and globally.

Locations Offered

• Melbourne Campus

Why Choose Florida Tech for Environmental Resource Management?

At Florida Tech, environmental resource management students learn in a close-knit academic setting led by internationally recognized faculty. Small class sizes mean students get to know their professors, and students often have the opportunity to collaborate with them on cutting-edge research and real-world consulting projects.

Learning in Florida's Natural Environments

The location of Florida Techjust minutes from the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian River Lagoon, and a variety of wetlands and coastal habitatsputs students in the heart of one of North Americas most ecologically diverse regions. As a student in the environmental resource management program, students step directly into these living laboratories to gain hands-on experience developing and applying resource management strategies.

Facilities That Support Research and Discovery

The environmental resource management program is supported by advanced facilities designed for meaningful research and hands-on training. The Mertens Marine Center serves as a base for fieldwork, with on-site labs that allow samples to be processed within minutes of collection. The Ralph S. Evinrude Marine Operations Center offers direct water access and supports a wide range of research.

Applied Research for Environmental Solutions

Research is a vital part of the environmental resource management experience at Florida Tech. Students in this non-thesis program work on applied projects that address real environmental challenges, with topics ranging from habitat restoration and environmental chemistry to sustainability, remote sensing, and biofouling.

Summer Field Courses in Dynamic Ecosystems

Summer fieldwork courses are offered that take students to places like the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, Puerto Rico, or the Salish Sea in the Pacific Northwest. Students gain hands-on experience with techniques such as snorkeling surveys, wildlife tracking, and ecological data collection, building practical skills in an exciting range of environments.

Internships That Put Your Skills to Work

Internships in the environmental resource management program offer immersive, real-world learning opportunities with leading environmental organizations. Students have worked alongside respected groups such as the Audubon Society, Marine Resources Council of East Central Florida, Save the Manatee Club, Center for Coastal Studies, and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.

Careers in Environmental Resource Management

Graduates of the environmental resource management masters program are prepared to lead efforts that protect ecosystems, conserve resources, improve environmental quality, and support sustainable development. They enter careers in government agencies, environmental consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations, often working alongside scientists, engineers, and policymakers to solve complex environmental problems.

Career Paths

• Air quality program director
• Climate policy analyst
• Community environmental outreach manager
• Corporate environmental manager
• Director of conservation programs
• Environmental compliance director
• Environmental impact analyst
• Environmental planner
• Environmental protection specialist
• Environmental quality director
• Environmental risk assessor
• Habitat restoration coordinator
• Land use manager
• Natural resource specialist
• Natural resources conservation manager
• Policy and regulation specialist
• Sustainability consultant/specialist
• Wetlands program director

Advanced Degree Options

Many graduates use their environmental resource management masters degree to advance or pivot within their careers, entering the workforce with enhanced skills and credentials that set them apart. For those interested in continuing their studies, a Ph.D. in environmental science can be a natural next stepespecially for students with strong academic performance and relevant research experience.

The Environmental Resource Management, M.S., Curriculum

The 30-credit environmental resource management curriculum provides a strong foundation in the biological and chemical processes that shape natural systems and emphasizes the complex relationships between human activity and environmental change, both locally and globally. Students complete 12 credit hours of required core courses and 18 credit hours of electives selected in consultation with their faculty advisor.

Electives

Elective options in the M.S. in environmental resource management program span a broad spectrum of interests, allowing students to tailor their studies to match their passions and career goals. Topics include environmental science and analysis, field ecology and conservation, technology and spatial analysis, policy and decision-making, and hands-on research and experience opportunities.

Related Programs

Students might also be interested in:

• Conservation Technology, M.S.
• Environmental Science, M.S.
• Ecology, M.S.