Field of Interest
Sustainability is not just a buzzword, it’s a way of life — and a possible career for you. Environmental studies allow you to explore the current and future interactions between human and natural systems. With a focus in Sustainability, you can analyze ideas of sustainable development at a local, regional, and global level – and maybe have a say in the best possible uses of our planet’s resources.
What role can you take on in this vital field? Students may go on to be sustainability specialists, compliance managers, environmental scientists, and soil and water conservationists. Familiarity with sustainability can also boost your career in adjacent fields like environmental reporting, city and regional planning, landscape architecture, construction, interior design, urban planning, and business.
It can start today. Make your future in sustainability happen.
The Right Pathway for You
MCC offers Certificates of Completion and Transfer Degrees for this program. Your interests and goals will guide you in selecting the pathway that is ideal for you. You may find a combination of certificates or transfer options is the fastest way to realize your dreams.
Certificate
The knowledge and skills acquired while earning a Certificate of Completion (CCL) can help launch you into a new career or energize your current job. Generally requiring fewer credit hours than degrees or transfer programs, a CCL may be your best first step into higher education.
A list of available certificates offered in the Sustainability program
Name |
Type |
Title |
Courses |
Academic Certificate |
AC |
Sustainability |
Pathway Map |
University Transfer Degree
Want to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a university? Save money by starting at MCC in manageable, small classes taught by renowned faculty. Our transfer pathways with Arizona universities help you achieve two goals: completing an associate’s degree while also staying on track to earn a bachelor’s degree at your transfer destination. MCC’s university partnerships throughout the nation assure your seamless transition toward a four-year degree.
A list of available transfer degrees offered in the Sustainability program
Name |
Type |
Title |
Courses |
Associate in Arts |
AA |
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Sustainability and Environmental Studies |
Pathway Map |
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of a certificate within the Sustainability program may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages*. Some occupations may require additional education or training. You can click on any occupation to view more detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$24.36
Annual Median Wage
$50,669
Number of People Employed
804
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 15.4%
Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$68.49
Annual Median Wage
$142,464
Number of People Employed
3,809
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 4.1%
Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$33.87
Annual Median Wage
$70,466
Number of People Employed
832
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.8%
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$44.33
Annual Median Wage
$92,221
Annual Job Openings
1,286
Number of People Employed
13,478
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 8.3%
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$35.60
Annual Median Wage
$74,063
Number of People Employed
114
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 16.7%
Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$33.87
Annual Median Wage
$70,466
Number of People Employed
832
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.8%
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$33.87
Annual Median Wage
$70,466
Number of People Employed
832
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.8%
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$26.78
Annual Median Wage
$55,710
Number of People Employed
172
4-Year Employment Growth
Decrease by -3.5%
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$17.75
Annual Median Wage
$36,930
Number of People Employed
98
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 18.4%
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$28.82
Annual Median Wage
$59,954
Number of People Employed
92
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 8.7%
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$34.79
Annual Median Wage
$72,368
Number of People Employed
205
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 2.0%
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$33.87
Annual Median Wage
$70,466
Number of People Employed
832
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.8%
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$35.60
Annual Median Wage
$74,063
Number of People Employed
114
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 16.7%
Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical Education Level
a Doctoral degree or more
Hourly Median Wage
$35.06
Annual Median Wage
$72,944
Annual Job Openings
2,879
Number of People Employed
26,552
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 11.3%
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$35.60
Annual Median Wage
$74,063
Number of People Employed
114
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 16.7%
Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$38.79
Annual Median Wage
$80,701
Annual Job Openings
1,249
Number of People Employed
10,972
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 10.1%
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$40.91
Annual Median Wage
$85,097
Number of People Employed
656
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 7.6%
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$33.67
Annual Median Wage
$70,037
Number of People Employed
206
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 3.4%
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer
Financial Aid
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