Program Overview

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Overview of the Online Master of Science in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management

The University of Oklahoma offers an online Master of Science in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management, a 30-credit program designed to equip professionals with the tools to drive impactful change. This forward-thinking program blends science, policy, technology, finance, and best practices to empower students to lead sustainable initiatives across industries.

Program Details

• Time to Complete: 18+ months
• Credit Hours: 30
• Time Commitment: 10 to 20 hours weekly
• Start Dates: Fall, Spring
• Cost: Tuition and fees for the program total $30,450 ($1,015 per credit hour), excluding books or additional materials.

About the Online Master’s in Sustainability

The OU Online MS in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management is a 30-credit program offered through the Gallogly College of Engineering. Designed with a focus on the energy and materials sectors, the curriculum blends economics, social sciences, project management, and leadership to empower students to become innovative problem-solvers and forward-thinking leaders.

Master of Science in Sustainability: Where It Leads and What You Can Achieve

Earning an online master’s in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management from the University of Oklahoma prepares you for career advancement in various areas that rely on the skill and expertise of individuals with knowledge of sustainability practices. Career paths include:

• Industrial Engineer
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
• Industrial Production Managers
• Environmental Consultant/Specialist
• Climate Scientist/Engineer
• Architectural and Engineering Managers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Purchasing Managers
• Sustainability Director
• Chief Sustainability Officer

Industry Insights

• Median Pay: $104,170
• Job Outlook: Employment for environmental engineers is projected to grow 7 percent by 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
• Job Openings: An estimated 3,000 environmental engineering positions are expected to open each year, on average, over the next decade.

Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn and How You’ll Lead

OU’s online MS in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management prepares graduates to:

• Apply sustainable production practices that reduce environmental impact, conserve energy, and optimize natural resource use
• Navigate and implement ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) regulations to meet growing compliance demands
• Build expertise in material requirements planning, environmental economics, engineering management, and sustainable procurement and development
• Develop innovative solutions that stabilize systems, improve manufacturing and processes, and address climate and engineering challenges to drive global progress

Course Details

The Master of Science in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management offers a comprehensive exploration of sustainable engineering and manufacturing practices. Students gain in-depth knowledge in environmental separations, decision and risk analysis, and other critical topics that drive innovation in sustainable systems and processes.

Course Structure

You’ll earn 30 credit hours across 10 courses. You’ll take two 16-week courses at a time in the Spring and Fall semesters and two 14-week courses at a time during the Summer semester. Students are required to join live lectures one night per week per class Tuesday – Thursday from 7 to 9 pm CT.

Course List

• Sustainable Engineering Practices: Basic concepts of sustainability, including elements relevant to materials manufacturing, chemical processes, energy production, waste minimization, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainable Process Design: Concepts of sustainable design of chemical processes, including issues related to energy usage and GHG emissions, long-term availability of raw materials, and changes to process design that can lead to sustainable outcomes.
• Challenge Group Project: A group research project on a topic relevant to the MS in Sustainability, with projects offered by Faculty members in the School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering.
• Decision & Risk Analysis: Methods for predicting capital and operational costs of chemical plants, approaches for the quantification of uncertainties, and how such uncertainty could affect the profitability of industrial operations.
• Business Sustainability: Planning and assessing the efficacy of business strategies to ensure the sustainability of commercial operations, including achieving and maintaining the social license to operate, operating within the boundaries of environmental regulations, and promoting the goals of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce.
• Sustainable Polymer Manufacturing: Principles of polymer life cycles, polymer properties and environmental footprints, manufacturing, design guidelines for sustainability, and recycling/upcycling.
• Emerging Technologies toward Water Sustainability: Introduction to water reclamation and reuse, wastewater characteristics, conventional approaches for wastewater treatment, emerging materials and technologies for water remediation, and water reuse applications and outlook.
• Management & Leadership: Differences between management and leadership, assembling teams based on main personality traits, designing risk mitigation strategies, and managing financial resources.
• Environmental Separations: Fundamentals and applied aspects of sustainable aspects of gas and liquid separations, emergent technologies for the prevention and remediation of liquid contamination.
• Carbon Capture & Utilization: Quantifying the pros and cons of cutting-edge technologies available for capturing, storing, and utilizing CO2 (CCUS), including technological developments in catalysis, materials design, and sequestration.

Why Choose OU Online for an MS in Sustainability

OU Online offers high-quality, affordable, professional undergraduate and graduate programs in a flexible, online format from a top-tier public institution. Learn what it takes to operate in the dynamic world of sustainable energy and materials management.

Faculty Expertise

The MS in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management is built on the foundation of world-class University of Oklahoma faculty mixed with professors of practice providing valuable instruction.

Robust Student Support

OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center.

Global Alumni Network

With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means you’ll have access to a strong network of sustainability professionals to accelerate your career.

Flexible Format

The MS in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management is delivered in a fully online, flexible format designed to meet the needs of working professionals worldwide.

Tailored Experience

Progress through the program as part of a small, focused cohort of professionals who share similar goals and interests in sustainability.

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning your Master of Science in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management is a strategic investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment clear, accessible, and manageable.

• Tuition: $1,015 per credit hour, totaling $30,450 for the program.
• Financial Aid: Available to help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
• Scholarships: May be available to support your education.
• Employer Tuition Assistance: May be an option to consider.

Application Process

To apply to the online Master of Science in Sustainability: Energy and Materials Management program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university—or the international equivalent—with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Applicants must also have completed College Algebra as part of their undergraduate coursework.

Application Requirements

• Complete an online application
• Provide official college transcripts from all institutions
• Must have completed college algebra in their undergraduate studies
• Detailed resume documenting relevant work experience and past education
• Personal statement

Application Timeline

The admissions committee follows a rolling admissions process, reviewing applications as they are received. While admissions may remain open until two weeks before classes begin, some programs may set earlier deadlines. The committee aims to provide decisions within two weeks of receiving a completed application. A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester's tuition.