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 Associate 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 degrees 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 |
Associate Degree
MCC’s associate degrees enhance your resume and prepare you to enter the workforce with an advantage. Whether you are interested in simply completing basic, required college courses or specializing in a specific area, there’s a degree for you.
A list of available associate degrees offered in the Sustainability program
Name |
Type |
Title |
Courses |
Associate in Arts |
AA |
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Sustainability and Environmental Studies |
Course List |
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of a degree or 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
$24.35
Annual Median Wage
$50,667
Number of People Employed
807
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 14.4%
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
$68.48
Annual Median Wage
$142,456
Number of People Employed
3,803
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
$70,469
Number of People Employed
822
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.7%
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
$44.32
Annual Median Wage
$92,194
Annual Job Openings
1,284
Number of People Employed
13,474
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
$35.61
Annual Median Wage
$74,078
Number of People Employed
114
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 17.5%
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
$70,469
Number of People Employed
822
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.7%
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
$70,469
Number of People Employed
822
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.7%
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
$27.11
Annual Median Wage
$56,397
Number of People Employed
170
4-Year Employment Growth
Decrease by -1.8%
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
$17.76
Annual Median Wage
$36,958
Number of People Employed
103
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 19.4%
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
$59,949
Number of People Employed
92
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 7.6%
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
$34.78
Annual Median Wage
$72,354
Number of People Employed
204
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 2.5%
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
$70,469
Number of People Employed
822
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.7%
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
$35.61
Annual Median Wage
$74,078
Number of People Employed
114
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 17.5%
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
$35.09
Annual Median Wage
$72,997
Annual Job Openings
2,786
Number of People Employed
26,356
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 10.5%
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
$35.61
Annual Median Wage
$74,078
Number of People Employed
114
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 17.5%
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
$80,692
Annual Job Openings
1,242
Number of People Employed
10,946
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 10.0%
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
$40.92
Annual Median Wage
$85,128
Number of People Employed
651
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 7.4%
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
$33.66
Annual Median Wage
$70,017
Number of People Employed
205
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 4.4%
* 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
You can get a high-quality, affordable education. MCC’s low tuition rates and various financial aid opportunities make it possible. Explore federal and state grants, Federal Work-Study, scholarships, student loans, and other options today.