Online Master of Sustainability, Security and Resilience

Ohio University's Online Master of Sustainability, Security and Resilience (MSSR) is tailored for working professionals seeking a dynamic educational experience. This entirely online program offers the flexibility to complete your degree in under two years, and there's no GRE requirement for application. Our program consists of three stackable certificates that you'll earn along the way, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to lead and address critical challenges, such as climate change, natural disasters, and global crises.

100% online format designed for working professionals
No thesis — the program concludes with a Capstone course to build a resilience implementation plan.
Flexible start date — start any semester (Spring, Summer, or Fall)
Earn your master's in just 18 months
No GRE required for admission

Diverse Career Paths
Our Online Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience program opens doors to a wide array of career opportunities across various industries. Graduates find themselves equipped to make a significant impact in roles such as government leaders shaping policy, disaster management experts ensuring community safety, architects and designers spearheading sustainable projects, and educators preparing future generations for a changing world. Whether you're at the mid-point of your career or looking to enter a new field, our program provides the versatile skills and knowledge you need to thrive.
Explore the possibilities:
- Government and Policy Leadership
- Disaster Response and Management
- Sustainable Design and Architecture
- Educational Leadership and Curriculum Development
Expert Faculty and Collaboration
In this program, you'll have the privilege of learning from a team of esteemed faculty members. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective fields, providing you with valuable insights and guidance throughout your educational journey. Beyond the classroom, you'll also have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of professionals from government, disaster management, design/architecture, education, and other related industries. This collaborative environment fosters creative problem-solving and a rich exchange of ideas, enhancing your learning experience.
Benefits of our expert faculty and collaborative environment:
- Learn from seasoned professionals and thought leaders.
- Network with peers from various industries, broadening your perspective.
- Gain practical insights from real-world experiences shared by both faculty and fellow students.
Why Resilience is Important
Does your organization or community have the resilience to survive when catastrophe strikes? Having to prepare and respond to crises hitting simultaneously is the new normal. The COVID-19 pandemic may have been one of the first incidents in this century to impact the entire global community, but it certainly won’t be the last. Recent events show the vulnerability of communities worldwide, including:
- Wildfires in California and Australia
- Extreme rain throughout the country
- Agricultural fields flooded in the Midwest
- Extraordinary heat and cold events
- Threats to drinking water and sewage treatment, along with electrical grid and supply chain failures, in the wake of natural disasters

Certificates in Sustainability, Security, and Resilience

Within Ohio University's Online Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience program, you'll have the opportunity to delve into three distinct areas of expertise through our stackable certificates. These certificates are designed to equip you with specialized knowledge and hands-on experience, ensuring you graduate with a comprehensive skill set ready to address today's most critical challenges. Explore the certificates below to discover the unique focus and practical skills each one offers:

Community Risk & Resilience Certificate

In this certificate, students examine resiliency as a general concept, critically assess it as a management approach, and focus on its concrete applications. You'll delve into concepts of justice and equity in risks to human security, risk management, and communication. Gain an understanding of the implications of climate change science for public policy-making and acquire hands-on experience in using climate information for preparing a climate change plan.

Environmental Change Management & Leadership Certificate

Our Environmental Change Management & Leadership Certificate empowers students with essential tools for addressing environmental issues integral to economic development, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. You'll explore the conceptual foundations and applied techniques of sustainability assessment and delve into various environmental leadership models. Engage with public leaders from both for-profit and nonprofit sectors and apply these insights to develop your environmental leadership skills.

Planning Resilient Systems Certificate

Learn about resilient agricultural and energy systems with the Planning Resilient Systems Certificate, gaining expertise in sustainability, venture proposals, and energy policies. Understand the diverse portfolio of agricultural products driving essential systems in the United States and the major challenges for achieving resiliency in the agricultural sector. Learn how to pitch venture proposals addressing criteria such as efficacy, feasibility, sustainability, and potential return on investment — both financial and social. Additionally, gain insights into the implications of energy systems and the policies that govern them.

These certificates can be pursued individually, allowing you to specialize in a particular area, or combined to earn your Online Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience degree. Whether you choose to stack certificates or pursue the full master's program, Ohio University is committed to providing you with a flexible and comprehensive education to meet your academic and professional goals.

Join the Conversation

If you're curious about how this program can work with your life and goals, we'd like to connect with you. Register for a virtual information event that is convenient for you.

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Diverse Career Paths

Expert Faculty and Collaboration

Why Resilience is Important