New master's degree targets need for leaders in environmental practice
Victoria B.C. - Royal Roads University, in partnership with the Environmental Career Organization of Canada (ECO Canada), is launching a master's degree in environmental practice, a three-year program targeting people seeking leadership roles in the environmental sector through the Canadian Centre for Environmental Education.
The program is being offered entirely through distance-based education and offers students looking for career-related graduate education the opportunity to gain leadership and management skills applicable to the environmental sector.
"The program provides a unique opportunity for people to continue with their employment as they gain new knowledge and credentials to advance their careers," says Canadian Centre for Environmental Education director Michael Moss.
Grant Trump, ECO Canada's president and CEO, says the degree will allow environmental professionals to better meet their full employment potential and ensure a competent environmental workforce in Canada.
"This program will be an excellent professional development activity for both seasoned professionals and newer graduates," says Trump.
The three environmental employment sectors identified by ECO Canada form the basic structure of the degree. These three degree specializations are Environmental Protection, Conservation and Management of Natural Resources, and Environmental Sustainability. Depending on their interests in one of these fields, a student will follow either the Master of Arts or Master of Science route to graduation. Upon graduating students are expected to have strategic knowledge and a critical skill set needed to become a leader in their chosen field of expertise.
The core courses and many of the electives for the specializations are offered through Royal Roads University. Students also have the option to take electives through from the online master's degree program in environmental policy and management offered by University College at Denver University. Students also have the option of completing either an employment or organization-based practicum or a research paper in an area of particular interest.
The Centre for Environmental Education began in 2006 as a collaborative effort between ECO Canada (Environmental Careers Organization), and Royal Roads University. Its aims and objectives are to enhance the education, training, professional development, and mobility of environmental professionals both in Canada and internationally.
Royal Roads University was established by the Province of British Columbia in 1995 specifically to deliver quality applied and professional programs to advance professionals in the workplace. The university blends online and on-campus learning with current, real-world relevance for doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees, certificates, diplomas, executive and custom education.
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For media queries, contact:
Communications Officer, Phil Saunders
phil.saunders@royalroads.ca 250-391-2526, cel 250-812-5065 or,
Communications Coordinator for ECO Canada, Jessica Reynen
media@eco.ca 403-233-0748
