Become a dynamic leader in Environmental Sustainability
The University of Illinois offers a fully online Bachelor’s of Science degree in Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability! We teach this degree both on campus and online – and all our students get the same high level of attention.
Join us remotely and earn a B.S. Degree in Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability from the University of Illinois, one of the nation’s top academic and public research institutions. This degree is offered through the University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and students specialize in a range of subjects, including environmental consulting, sustainability policy, geographic information science, sustainable business, ecology, and environmental communications.
Online students are awarded the identical degree as those pursuing the program on campus, and have the same access to the University Career Center, Library, Alumni network, Financial Aid, Veterans Office, and other campus resources.
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Why Illinois?
Curriculum That Works Around Your Schedule
We deliver the majority of our classes asynchronously – this means that you don’t need to log on at a specific time. Depending on the course, there are weekly readings, lectures, lessons, discussion forums, quizzes, and/or assignments. Courses may also have final papers, projects, and exams. Everything can be done off-campus and at any time zone (even our online exams are remotely proctored and have flexible start times). A few of our elective major classes offer live discussions (with sessions held in the evenings or on weekends), but these are not required courses. If this is an issue, you can always take a course that does not have a specific log-on time.
Most classes are 8 weeks long. Some classes run for the full length (16 weeks) of Fall and Spring Semesters. All Illinois students are full-time, which means they are enrolled in at least 24 credit hours per year, which can be taken throughout the year. We offer classes in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms.
The major is designed to accommodate students with a diverse range of backgrounds, enabling them to complete the degree. There are two concentrations to choose from: Science of the Earth System, with a natural science focus, and Society and Environment, with a social science focus. There are over 60 advanced hours available for the online major, as well as hundreds of elective and general education options from across the campus. All required courses are offered every two years, and a wide variety of online elective options are offered every semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the online degree?
What sets this program apart from other programs?
This is the only online Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sustainability! We’ve offered this degree online for over a decade. It’s flexible, designed for people with busy lives and diverse interests, and offered by the flagship University of Illinois.
How is the online program different from the on-campus program?
We only have one degree – but it can be taken online or in-person. Whether you’re online or on-campus, you’ll share the same diploma, transcripts, and professors. The only difference is that the online program costs less and is delivered completely online.
What do I need to have to apply to the program?
Since the online program is for transfer students, the key application material is official transcripts from your previous institutions. You will also need to submit an application essay and provide documentation of English proficiency if English is not your native language. As a transfer student, you should have at least 30 credit hours of completed college or university credit and a GPA of 2.7 or higher.
Can I enroll in the degree while working full-time?
All of our students must register as full-time students – that’s at least 24 credit hours a year, or 3 or 4 courses a regular semester.
How much does the program cost?
You can find the most up-to-date tuition information on the undergraduate admissions page.
Is there support for veterans?
We have had several veterans complete the online degree! To find out how the University helps veterans get the most from their education, contact the Chez Veterans Center.
Is there financial aid available for this program?
Yes! Standard financial aid is available to all students in the program. Contact the financial aid office to learn more.
Can International students apply?
Yes! And tuition is the same for in-state, out-of-state, and international students.
What courses should I take to prepare for the degree?
There are no other specific requirements and the program is designed for a wide variety of programs. If you are interested in the “Science in the Earth System” concentration we highly recommend at least a semester of chemistry with lab, and a semester of physics with lab (as we don’t offer lab courses online, and these are needed for this concentration). Many of our transfer students have an Associates Degree in Arts or an Associates Degree in Science, which are both a perfect foundation, but this is not required.
Other questions?
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Major Requirements
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