Professional Science Master’s programs combine advanced STEM coursework with essential business skills, creating tomorrow’s workforce in science, technology, and innovation. Upon graduation, you earn a PSM-ESS, a degree that holds official accreditation through the national PSM organization.

The Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability equips students with cutting-edge knowledge in environmental science while developing professional skills for careers in sustainability. With flexible online learning, this program is ideal for working professionals aiming to address global challenges such as carbon management, water sustainability, and climate adaptation.

Hands-On learning and customization

Students gain real-world experience through tailored coursework and internships in focus areas like Carbon Management, Climate Adaptation, and Sustainable Food Systems. Flexible pathways allow students to specialize in areas that align with their career goals.

Fast-Track your degree

This non-thesis program is designed to be completed in as little as three semesters. The 36-credit program includes a 4-credit internship experience that empowers students with real-world application of the skills they learn in the program. Students have worked with organizations such as the UN, Denver Water, and the Nature Conservancy.

Real-World skills for career growth

Graduates gain valuable skills in environmental data science, R programming, and project management, ensuring they’re prepared for leadership roles in sustainability sectors.

Learn more about general graduate school application requirements here.

• Minimum 3.00 GPA
• Bachelor’s degree
• GRE not required

U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and International Students may submit English proficiency scores directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions at Colorado State University, 1062 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062. Scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic should be submitted with institution code 4075. Photocopies will not be accepted.

• When the CSU graduate degree program is taught in the student’s native language, the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or the PTE Academic requirement will be waived.
• Students are exempted from the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic requirement if the official language of their country is solely English, or if they have recently earned a degree at a university in the United States, or if they have recently earned a degree from a university in a country on the English Language Proficiency Exempt List maintained by the Graduate School as published below.

If you are an international student applying for the PSM, we recommend you visit the International Student FAQ

The GRE is not required. The ESS department recommends a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

$60 non-refundable application fee for domestic applicants

$70 non-refundable application fee for international applicants

The university does offer an application fee waiver. Visit the fee waiver request site to see if you qualify.

The PSM is not a traditional research degree program. There is no tuition remission and no dedicated Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships set aside for PSM students. Therefore, PSM students should expect to pay for the program through loans and scholarships. Very rarely do teaching assistantships become available to PSM students.

There are scholarships available, both CSU and external, that are geared towards students in natural resources. To see awards specific to CSU, WCNR, and ESS, check out the ESS Scholarships & Fellowships site.

The ESS Department maintains resources on scholarships relevant to ESS students that are periodically updated. This includes scholarships and fellowships for students at all levels, even graduates, with applications through CSUSA and external sites. Keep in mind that some external scholarships will have due dates and award amounts that vary from year to year. Check their websites to be sure you know what the current year information is.

Here is a list of important Financial Aid-related dates:

• October 1st – CSUSA application (in RamWeb) and FAFSA open for the following academic year. Starting the application before the spring can alleviate some stress when it is closer to being due!
• March 1st – CSUSA and priority FAFSA deadline. CSUSA applications – both general and for specific scholarships – must be completed by March 1. Submit your FAFSA by this day to be considered for as much aid as possible, and if you are applying for CSUSA scholarships that have a need-based component.
• Mid-March – Financial aid awards may begin appearing in RamWeb for you to review and accept. Some aid or scholarships may take longer to appear in RamWeb, this is the earliest you can expect to be notified of awards.

View the ESS Scholarship guide to see scholarships through CSUSA that ESS and WSS, or PSM students may be eligible for.

Yes! Many students choose to work part-time while completing their PSM. If you’re working full-time, it’s certainly possible to succeed in the program, but you should expect it may take longer than the typical three semesters to complete due to your professional commitments.

There is no thesis required to complete this program – but there is a mandatory 400-hr (4 credit) internship that is often completed over the summer.

This internship is not guaranteed to be a paid internship, but many students do receive a paid internship.

Students in this program have access to our department-specific internship coordinator, in addition to WCNR Career Services and CSU Career Services.

Faculty advisors and the internship coordinator will provide internship placement options and support.

PSM students are assigned a faculty advisor in their specialty. In addition, students have an ESS Graduate Coordinator who can help guide them.

Students do not need to know how to code to enter the PSM-ESS.

The core curriculum includes a robust, 5-credit introduction to data science course (ESS 523a) exploring tools and best practices for working with large environmental datasets, primarily using the programming language R. This course is intended to provide all PSM students with basic data science skills and understanding.

In addition to this course, the department hosts a Coding Club and provides suggestions for data science professional development courses through LinkedIn Learning to help students gain skills and confidence.

A 400-hr, 4-credit professional internship is a required component of the PSM. Some internships involve outdoor field work – such as taking field samples or measurements – to support various types of research. However, PSM internships usually involve skill-building and application geared more toward data analysis and assessment.

The internship placement may be with an academic, governmental, business, or non-governmental agency. It can be completed during the academic year or during the summer.

Through the internship, students:

• Apply their knowledge and skills
• Address real-world environmental and ecosystem challenges
• Develop additional professional expertise
• Grow their professional network

During the internship placement, students enroll in ESS 587 Internship for 4 credits. Students usually complete the internship in the summer, but may enroll in the internship credits during the spring semester. If a student completes their internship during the summer, they often work 40 hours/week for 10 weeks.

The PSM faculty advisor and ESS internship coordinator mentor and coach each student throughout the internship placement process. Students learn how to:

• Identify and apply for positions
• Network with prospective host organizations
• Develop a professional resume
• Develop a professional LinkedIn profile

PSM faculty and the internship coordinator help identify places to intern and assist you with making connections when applicable. However, each student is responsible for finding, applying to, and finalizing placement in their internship. The ESS 587 curriculum empowers PSM students with meaningful job-related skills in resume building, interviewing, and professional networking.

Our graduates have gone on to work in an array of private and public institutions such as:

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
• Northern Water
• Brilliant Earth
• Dewberry
• American Carbon Registry
• Winrock
• The Nature Conservancy
• Ducks Unlimited
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Soil and Carbon Solutions Center

In-Person field experience (August 18-22)

Please note: This field experience is required only once, during a student’s first fall semester in the program. It is a one-time experience designed to build foundational knowledge and community connections.

As part of this online program, students will participate in a required five-day, in-person field experience from August 18-22. This immersive component provides hands-on learning opportunities in real-world environmental settings.

Students will spend two nights at the CSU Mountain Campus, where they will explore ecological concepts firsthand. The experience also includes:

• A field visit to the Poudre River to study water systems and sustainability
• Soil sampling at a local farm to analyze agricultural impacts
• A sustainability tour highlighting innovative environmental practices

Transportation and lodging details:

• Buses and lodging are provided for students during their stay at the CSU Mountain Campus.
• Transportation is provided for all off-site visits.
• Students are responsible for their own lodging for the remainder of the week.

This hands-on experience is a valuable opportunity to apply course concepts in the field, engage with experts, and connect with fellow students in a dynamic learning environment.