The Environmental Education Department within Southern Oregon University (SOU) recognizes the immense value in nurturing a diverse Environmental Education community, where all backgrounds and experiences are celebrated in the unity of our collective work toward access to environmental wellbeing for all. We honor the vibrant dimensions of diversity that people experience, and are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and successful experience in the field of Environmental Education for all students and participants. The EE department of SOU highly encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply for opportunities within our program. 

The Master of Science in Environmental Education degree program at Southern Oregon University (SOU) is accredited by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAEE). This six quarter program develops leaders in the field of environmental education. It is housed in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) division and connected to the Biology Department. Coursework exposes students to natural sciences, environmental issues and their associated conflicts, curriculum development, program administration and evaluation, best practices in environmental education, and the history and current field of environmental education. The graduate academic experience can be further enriched by adding a Master of Arts in Teaching with licensure, a certificate in nonprofit management, thesis, or project that can be integrated with the Environmental Education degree. Every student will complete a capstone project delivering a series of residential and non-residential K-12 programs, an exit interview and either an oral exam, project, or thesis. The course of study begins during Southern Oregon University’s Second Summer Session.

Five graduate assistantships are offered each year to Environmental Education graduate students, four through the SEEC Office. Going into effect during the first fall quarter and continuing through the following summer, graduate assistants receive an 80% in-state tuition remission and a monthly stipend. The assistantship requires 16 hours of work per week. Positions include Siskiyou Environmental Education Center (SEEC) Office Manager, SEEC Assistant Office Manager, Outreach Coordinator/Kit Manager, and Fall in the Field Coordinator. The fifth assistantship is offered as an instructor for introductory biology labs for those with sufficient background in biology. This assistantship includes fall, winter, and spring terms. A sixth assistantship has been offered as an educational program coordinator at the farm at SOU. Additional assistantships are often available to environmental education graduate students depending on funding and availability. Please contact us for more information.

An additional letter explaining your qualifications is required to be considered for a graduate assistantship. Applications for admission into the Environmental Education program are considered January 15, 2021 and April 5, 2021. Applications received by the January 15th deadline receive priority consideration for graduate assistantships. For information about application requirements visit inside.sou.edu/ee/apply.html.