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Area of Study

Social Systems

Gain the knowledge and skills to address today’s most pressing environmental and social challenges.

Sustainable Futures Start Here

Solve Sustainability’s Biggest Challenges

Today’s most urgent sustainability challenges, including climate change, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity, are deeply interconnected. These programs are designed to reflect that reality. By blending environmental science, social systems, and economics, you’ll gain the tools to create integrated, practical solutions that serve both people and the planet.

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Career-Focused

Lead Change Across Systems and Sectors

Graduates are prepared to step into careers that demand more than technical know-how. They bring a systems-thinking mindset to roles that span agriculture, conservation, urban planning, climate resilience, and beyond. As the world faces increasingly complex environmental and social challenges, employers need professionals who understand the big picture and can design solutions that work across disciplines and industries.

Transformative Learning

Choose Your Specialized Program

If you want to pursue a career working to help marine organisms and environments grow and thrive, take a deep dive into the insights, information, and skills provided in this online degree program.

With a focus on the existing and emerging issues involved in marine biology and aquaculture, this comprehensive program will help you build the tools you need for careers in fields for marine science, conservation, and advocacy for Earth’s oceans.

Coursework also emphasizes sustainability practices to help you prepare for responsible management of aquaculture operations.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Implement laboratory and field techniques for marine life observation and research
  • Evaluate aquaculture systems to environmental and systematics sustainability
  • Offer real-world solutions to environmental issues in marine biology and aquaculture

This transdisciplinary degree offers a holistic look at environmental issues. It offers a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of environmental problems and provides tools and perspectives from multiple disciplines — including natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities — to tackle them. You can help align your studies to your career goals with elective opportunities in animal health, ecotourism, geographic information science (GIS), biomedical sciences, sustainable farming, and more. Upon graduation, you will be able to:

  • Build consensus when working to solve environmental problems
  • Evaluate environmental solutions from economic, ecological, and societal perspectives
  • Explain core environmental aspects, also from multiple perspectives

From seed storage and pest management to financial planning and product marketing, this online degree program blends sustainability practices with business essentials. It offers climate-smart agricultural practices you could use to pursue opportunities in agronomy, farming, and greenhouse management — or run your own horticultural business.

Coursework covers what it takes to incorporate sustainable practices into landscaping, gardening, food production, or any horticulture-related operation.

You’ll also learn what it takes to:

  • Select, manage, and improve plants and their products
  • Identify, monitor, and respond to horticultural problems
  • Apply business principles as well as science to horticultural operations

Explore a future in sustainable food business addressing environmental conservation, social justice, waste reduction and more to contribute to food security and better nutrition. This degree offers the skills and credential you need to explore professional opportunities in a host of culinary ventures — from sustainable supply chain management to product development to starting your own food truck business.

Coursework offers a mix of business fundamentals with environmental essentials to help you build or grow food business grounded in ethical and sustainable food practices.

You’ll learn about:

  • Regenerative food systems and promoting eco-friendly culinary practices
  • Addressing social justice issues and fair labor practices in the food industry
  • Reducing the carbon footprint of food businesses with sustainable farming

Take the next step in your career by leveling up your research and conservation expertise in marine science. In this online master’s degree program, you’ll take classes that offer advanced training and insights into marine biology, conservation principles, and research techniques.

Coursework will help you develop strategies and solutions for preserving marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices.

Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped to take on critical challenges to aquatic environments, from overfishing and pollution to habitat destruction, with insights on how to:

  • Develop and implement effective conservation strategies
  • Design strategies to address marine conservation challenges
  • Restore and sustainably manage marine ecosystems

Want to advance your wildlife conservation career? Start by strengthening your ability to design and implement effective strategies for real-world conservation challenges with this 100% online program.

Coursework covers wildlife conservation campaigns, conservation ecology, human dimensions of wildlife management, and more.

You’ll learn what it takes to:

  • Analyze the factors that influence wildlife conservation
  • Lead effective communication and outreach strategies
  • Solve conservation problems with evidence-based methods

Take your career in food and sustainability to the next level with a graduate-level education in the environmental science, policy, economics, and social justice issues within the field of sustainable food systems.

This interdisciplinary program offers the tools for food resilience and sustainability you need to lead initiatives to promote social equity, mitigate environmental degradation, and overcome food insecurity.

Upon graduation, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue opportunities in food policy and advocacy, community food initiatives, food entrepreneurship, consulting, and sustainable agriculture.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Implement regenerative farming practices
  • Promote equitable access to nutritious foods
  • Positively impact food security and environmental sustainability

This transdisciplinary program draws on multiple fields like environmental science, economics, sociology, and psychology to better assess the impact climate change has on people, ecosystems, communities, and more. With courses aligned to the American Society of Adaptation Professional’s Knowledge and Competencies Framework, you’ll develop the practical skills needed to work toward climate adaptation and resilience in any industry at every level. Online coursework will have you completing usable projects that:

  • Explain climate variability
  • Develop adaptation and resilience plans
  • Assess and decrease individual and system vulnerability to climate impacts
  • Address climate change through systems thinking

From climate change to habitat destruction, environmental factors can and often do make an impact on human health.

This online master’s degree explores the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health — One Health — to develop sustainable solutions for a healthier, more resilient future for people and the planet.

Designed to help you advance your career opportunities in healthcare, environmental science, research, or advocacy, this program offers insights into pressing and emerging public health challenges like infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Learn how to:

  • Use health data across species to develop strategies for disease surveillance and control
  • Meaningfully contribute to the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment
  • Analyze how environmental changes impact human and animal well-being

Make a positive impact for the environment and your career with an education in carbon dynamics and ecosystem management. This online graduate degree offers the tools and insights you need to mitigate climate change through carbon management. Coursework covers essentials for carbon sequestration, ecosystem restoration, sustainable land use, policy and governance, and nature-based solutions. Prepare for professional opportunities in conservation, climate advocacy, natural resource management, and environmental consulting by learning how to:

  • Analyze carbon dynamics with tools like GIS and remote sensing
  • Lead initiatives for carbon ecology and management
  • Enhance carbon storage, conserve natural habitats, and promote sustainability

The health of our oceans is directly tied to global environmental stability, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions. By better understanding the ocean-based economy, you can make a difference for the effective and sustainable use of our world’s marine resources.

The interdisciplinary nature of this online program will help you build the skills needed to develop sustainable business practices that promote marine conservation, balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

You’ll study business principles, marine science, and sustainability practices for potential roles:

  • Shaping policies for sustainable marine resource management
  • Leading initiatives from ocean-climate conservation to eco-friendly tourism
  • Protecting coastal communities and ecosystems from climate change impacts

If you want to make an impact for the future of aquatic environments and ensure the sustainability of our wetlands, lakes, rivers, oceans, and more, learn what it takes to create and maintain effective management strategies for marine ecosystems.

Your online master’s degree program integrates rigorous scientific training with practical policy and management skills to equip you for roles addressing challenges for marine resource management and conservation.

Coursework explores how to:

  • Evaluate public and private marine policies
  • Develop and implement sustainable management plans
  • Lead efforts for conserving marine biodiversity

Real Stories, Real Impact

Danielle Kallman 3

Real Stories, Real Impact

“The professors communicate effectively…”

Danielle K.

Bachelor of Science Marine Biology & Sustainable Aquaculture
Read Full Testimonial
Realizing Your Potential. Protecting Your Planet.

Why Unity Distance Education?

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High Educational Value

Nationally recognized educational quality at an affordable price.

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Sustainability Core

Committed to sustainable practices to prepare for a future of environmental awareness.

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Personalized Guidance

Dedicated to turning career and academic aspirations into tangible achievements.

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Professional Readiness

Graduate with the tools, confidence, and credentials to lead in your chosen field.

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Inspiring Faculty

Learn from experts who bring professional experience and are dedicated to your growth.

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Multiple Start Dates

With up to 8 terms a year, you can take a break without jeopardizing financial aid.

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Learning Flexibility

Balance life, work, and education by studying when and where you want

Earn Your Degree with America’s Environmental University!

Connect with Unity Distance Education and start your online learning journey. Speak with Una (our AI guide) or call us at 207-509-7100, and apply today!

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