Maximize your career advancement with a Master’s in Environmental Practice

Did you know? Canada’s environmental workforce is highly educated relative to the rest of the labour force.  In fact, over 165,000 environmental workers have earned a master’s degree or higher. Stay ahead of this highly-educated workforce by earning your Master’s in Environmental Practice (MEP) online! This program is offered through the Canadian Centre for Environmental Education (CCEE) which is a result of a partnership between Royal Roads University and ECO Canada. Maximize your advancement by learning the strategic knowledge, critical skills and perspective required to become an environmental leader.

5 reasons why these recent grads chose this program:

Daniel Dietrich Environmental Advisor, SaskEnergy Graduate of the M.Sc. in Environmental Practice

Lana van Veen Environmental Coordinator, North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd Graduate of the M.A. in Environmental Practice

Amanda Mitchell Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator, Green Power and Transmission, Enbridge Graduate of the M.A. in Environmental Practice

1. You can still work while you complete your degree.

Yes, you can still earn a paycheck while investing in your long-term career development! The MEP program is specifically intended for environmental practitioners currently working in the environmental sector seeking to advance into a managerial or leadership position. “The online program option meant that I didn’t have to quit my job or take leave to complete my degree. The quality of education, in the MEP program, is very high, and within the top echelon of programs offered in North America,” says Amanda.

2. Apply what you learn immediately.

Daniel notes, “The program is worth the cost, and much of what you learn can be applied immediately in today’s environmental protection sector.” While Daniel’s degree concentrated on Environmental Protection, other concentrations include Conservation and Management of Natural Resources or Environmental Sustainability. “I took the M.Sc. (Environmental Practice) because I was looking to expand my knowledge relating to environmental protection and compliance.  I wanted to learn about what others were doing and how they were achieving and sustaining environmental protection,” he says. Courses also relate to key environmental topics such as climate change, renewable energy, environmental law, and ecosystem science. Additionally, the program includes business, leadership and management courses such as Communication for Environmental Communicators and Environmental Project Management, making it a well-rounded degree.

3. Balance your family commitments and career goals.

Let’s face it: many environmental practitioners are busy. You may be juggling your career aspirations along with your family commitments. But earning a master’s degree at home and at your pace can enhance your career growth and your work-life balance. “The program was rigorous and challenging, but the payback and knowledge I gained made it worth every minute of it.  Being able to stay at home with my young daughter and wife was important to me and my employer wanted me to continue on full time as well,” notes Daniel.

4. Earn your Master’s anywhere

Some environmental professionals work in remote communities and may not have access to a wide range of training or career development resources. This is true of Lana, who lives in the Yukon and currently works at a Tungsten Mine. Many graduate programs require travelling to a city to attend classes. When she found out about the online MEP program via email, she was thrilled. “The majority of my education, from high school through to my recently completed Master’s Degree, has been accomplished via distance education. The MEP program was perfectly arranged and easy to work with. Each of the courses was very well organized and executed.” she says.

5. Connect and learn with other highly motivated environmental professionals.

MEP grads are not only impressed with the professors and instructors but their fellow students. Amanda tells us, “The calibre of my fellow student was phenomenal. The majority of my classmates were as eager and willing to participate and engage in online discussions, provide additional learning resources, their own experiences and perspective, and fully contribute to the many group assignments we all shared. Not only did I learn as much, if not more, from my fellow classmates from this experience, but gained friends and contacts across industries from all over the world.”