Earth and Environmental Science

The Department of Earth and Environmental studies offers a suite of BS, MS, and graduate certificate programs in Earth and Environmental Science, GIS and Remote Sensing, Water Resource Management, and Environmental Forensics. We also house the university-wide transdisciplinary PhD Program in Environmental Science and Management. Our programs prepare future scientists who are equipped to address complex issues including the mechanisms and effects of climate change, identifying the nature and source of contaminants in the environment, designing novel methods of removing contaminants from air, water, and soil, understanding interactions between humans and the coastal zone, developing strategies for responsible land use and water resource management, and understanding the workings of our planet from the core to the top of the atmosphere.

Earth and Environmental Scientists are employed by:

State and federal agencies that oversee environmental protection, land use management, energy, water quality, and water resource conservation and management
Environmental consulting and engineering firms that remediate and redevelop contaminated sites
Mining and petroleum exploration companies that locate and extract mineral and petroleum resources
Law firms that specialize in environmental law
Public and private school districts
Colleges and universities
Museums, nature conservancies, and publishers and producers of science books, magazines, websites, and broadcasts

Students interested in these career paths are best served by earning a degree in Earth and Environmental Science. Each Montclair State University degree program includes carefully selected core courses and provides flexibility to select electives in disciplines such as Earth Surface Processes and Hydrology, Environmental Quality and Remediation, Geology & Geophysics, or GIS and Remote Sensing. Students looking to augment their existing credentials are also encouraged to explore our post-graduate certificate programs in Environmental Forensics, Geographic Information Science and Remote Sensing, and Water Resource Management.

Program Curriculum and Additional Information

Teaching Programs

Certificates Programs

Climate Science Certificate
Environmental Forensics Certificate (ENVF) – No longer accepting applications
Geographic Information Science Certificate (GEIS) – No longer accepting applications
Water Resource Management Certificate Program (WRMA) – No longer accepting applications

Program Advisors

Your program advisor can be found on NEST.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Earth and Environmental Scientists

American Geologic Institute Careers in Geoscience
US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Geoscientists
US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Environmental Scientists

Professional Geologist Licensure

New Jersey currently does not have licensure requirements for geologists. However, New York and Pennsylvania (along with Alabama, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Texas) require licensure for companies carrying out geological work in their states. EAES alumni working for New Jersey environmental consulting and geoengineering firms are seeking licensure through NY and PA. Anecdotally, these alumni recommend that new graduates will be more competitive job applicants by beginning the Professional Geologist licensure process early, starting with the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam (step 1 of the multi-part process).

Below are online resources that explain the Professional Geologist licensure process nationally and regionally and requirements for New Jersey’s “Site Remediation Licensure” process.