Environment and Sustainability with MS in Ecology

Part of: Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Accelerated Degree

Degree: Bachelor to Master of Science in Ecology

Undergrad Pathways: Biology, Ecology

Part of: Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Accelerated Degree

Degree: Bachelor to Master of Science in Ecology

Undergrad Pathways: Biology, Ecology

Through our accelerated program, Western offers undergraduate students the opportunity to combine their undergraduate degrees with a Master of Science in Ecology. With unmatched access to public lands and hands-on research with wildlife agencies, ranchers, and global scientists, you’ll build the skills and connections to tackle today’s biggest ecological challenges—locally and worldwide.

Environment & Sustainability; Ecology Requirements

Accelerated Degree programs let students earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time. After an accelerated undergraduate study, students begin graduate courses, saving time and money. This fast-track option builds skills and experience, helping students start their careers sooner.

Program Requirements Degree Plan

Once students in the accelerated program complete their undergraduate requirements, including the prescribed coursework, General Education, and electives, they become eligible for their Bachelor’s degree conferral. At this point, typically in the fall of junior year, students must apply to continue to the graduate portion of the accelerated program.

Scholarships

Scholarships by Department

The Western Colorado University Foundation offers scholarships for this program. Explore eligibility requirements and funding opportunities.

Explore Scholarships

General Western Scholarships

Western Colorado University offers merit—and need-based scholarships, recognizing achievement, financial need, and special talents.

Explore Scholarships

Business Development
Communications
Data-Driven Decision Making
Environmental Policy
Environmental Laws
Operations Management

Biofuels Production Manager
Chief Sustainability Officer
Conservation Scientist
Environmental Economist
Fish & Game Warden
Range Manager

Department News

Verzuh Ranch: Where Conservation Meets Education

Looking around the forty acres of prime wetland habitat Wynn and Ryan Martens recently donated to Western Colorado University, you can almost feel the pressure…
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Western Graduate Students, Faculty Member Receive Distinguished Achievement Award

Recipients conducting important research in four disciplines Western Colorado University’s School of Graduate Studies is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Achievement…
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Western’s Clark School wins grant to help add value to internships

Program focused on bringing underrepresented groups into the fold Let’s face it: Interns are often more work than they’re worth to the companies and organizations…
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Prescribed Fire in Wilderness Research Team Honored by National USFS Award

This project embodies the spirit of the Center for Public Lands and the Clark School of Environment and Sustainability On December 14 at the 2023…
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Mountaineers Without Borders: From Concept to Colombia

Western students build clubs, coops, and bridges Two years ago, Joshua Clyncke found himself in a place a lot of first-year college students would envy:…
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Western receives $10,000 Catalyst Grant to help fund push toward sustainability

GUNNISON, Colorado: Even before the leaders of Western Colorado University made sustainability a guiding principle of the latest Strategic Plan, programs and departments on campus…
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Workshop synthesis paper describes value of prescribed fire in wilderness areas

We have both the opportunity and responsibility to recognize fire’s ability to renew the landscape GUNNISON, Colorado – Many of the wilderness areas that we…
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Women Move Mountains: Western Students Attend UN Conference in Aspen

Katya Koepsel, a first-year student in the Master of Environmental Management (MEM) program, was among eight Western students who attended the United Nations Mountain Partnership…
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Western Receives Research & Education Grant from Department of Energy

Western Colorado University’s Environmental Science and Forest Ecology programs were awarded a grant for $720,000 from the United States Department of Energy (DOE). To support…
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Western Organics Guild Continues to Grow

Fifteen years ago, on the Western Colorado University campus, a professor caught a student digging up the soil by the Mountaineer Field House. The professor…
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Danielson Honored with Antioch’s Horace Mann Award

An attorney, professor, researcher and expert on minerals policy, national development strategies, and environmental and social performance, Luke Danielson has been a champion of environmental…
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Western Earns Silver STARS Ranking

Western Colorado University has earned a silver STARS rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher…
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More Extreme Fires—or ‘Megafires’—to Come

Expect to see more extreme wildfires like the East Troublesome fire in Colorado and the Holiday Farm fire in Oregon. That’s the conclusion of a…
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Western Graduates Named to Forbes 30 Under 30

Enabling Equitable Energy Solutions An effort to bring critical solutions to renewable energy has landed two Western Colorado University alumni on a prestigious list of…
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Conservation Grant Helps Fund Recreation Management Project

Mitigating Landscape Impact To keep pace with increased outdoor recreational visitation, the Gunnison community is exploring avenues to mitigate landscape impacts and improve outdoor experiences.…
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Leadership and Experiential Learning Projects at Western

Leadership and experiential learning projects are one of the core components of the Western Colorado University experience. With program-specific clubs, on-campus events, off-campus trips, and…
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Graduate Studies Program Honors Two Members for Inclusive Excellence

The School of Graduate Studies Award for Inclusive Excellence Two members of the Western Colorado University graduate studies community have been recognized for their promotion…
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Researchers Help Shape Recreation Policy with Great Blue Heron Study

The Great Blue Herons Along a more than four mile stretch of the Slate River near the Town of Crested Butte lies a colony of…
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Western Among Best Colleges that Offer Hands-on Learning Experiences

Colleges that offer hands-on learning experiences give students the opportunity to practice their field of study in an immersive, exciting way. At Western Colorado University,…
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Western Film Highlights Impact of Siberian Fires

What started with the desire to educate the public about the validity of science grew into a full-blown documentary. Now, “Smoldering Ice,” a film made…
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Reusable Solution to COVID-19 Disposable Container Problem

As the COVID-19 pandemic changed protocol for students in the classroom at Western Colorado University, it also drastically changed how students are able to dine…
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Research Shows Increased Wildfire Risk & Long-Term Ecological Change

For Immediate Release July 1st, 2020 Risks as Wildfire Prevalence Increases of Long-term Ecological Change Western Colorado University associate professor of environment and sustainability, Jonathan Coop,…
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Western appoints new adjunct faculty members in graduate Ecology program

Western’s School of Environment and Sustainability recently announced the addition of six adjunct faculty members to the Master of Science in Ecology program. The school…
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Western Professor Featured in VentureWell Article

Western School of Environment and Sustainability and School of Business faculty member Taryn Mead was recently featured in VentureWell, a nonprofit organization focused on solving…
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Western staff member featured in CBS Denver news story

Western alumnus, staff member and local historian David Primus was featured in a news piece by CBS Denver regarding Gunnison’s successful efforts to quarantine the…
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