Best institutions to study Environmental Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach environmental education at various educational levels as a K-12 classroom educator.
16 U.S. institutions graduated 105 Environmental Education students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1338, a specialization of Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13), and leads most directly to the Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education occupation (BLS SOC 25-2021).
About Environmental Education programs
A program that prepares individuals to teach environmental education at various educational levels as a K-12 classroom educator. Includes instruction in foundations of environmental education, instructional methods, and related content knowledge.
See also: 31.0601 - Outdoor Education.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Environmental Education program, part of Teacher Education and Professional Development, prepares individuals to teach environmental education across various educational levels, specifically in K-12 settings. This program is ideal for those passionate about fostering environmental awareness and sustainability among students.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in learning strategies, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers foundations of environmental education, instructional methods, and content knowledge necessary for teaching in diverse classroom settings.
Credentials awarded
What Environmental Education graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree39 graduates / yr · 6 institutions37%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year35 graduates / yr · 4 institutions33%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate27 graduates / yr · 7 institutions26%
- Bachelor's degree4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.8%
Graduates over time
Environmental Education completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 25 |
| 2013 | 41 |
| 2014 | 30 |
| 2015 | 38 |
| 2016 | 215 |
| 2017 | 101 |
| 2018 | 142 |
| 2019 | 78 |
| 2020 | 84 |
| 2021 | 96 |
| 2022 | 91 |
| 2023 | 96 |
| 2024 | 86 |
| 2025 | 105 |
Top 16 institutions for Environmental Education, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 19 | 57% | — | $45,327 |
| 2 | Hamline University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 18 | 60% | $20,981 | — |
| 3 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 13 | 68% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 90% | — | $43,129 |
| 5 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicMaster's | 11 | 67% | — | $41,658 |
| 6 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 58% | — | $38,211 |
| 7 | University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MNPublicMaster's | 6 | 65% | — | $41,952 |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 6 | 51% | — | $40,005 |
| 9 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicMaster's | 3 | 81% | — | $49,041 |
| 10 | Antioch University - New England Keene, NHPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 3 | — | — | — |
| 11 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor's | 2 | 61% | — | $47,544 |
| 12 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 64% | $33,585 | — |
| 13 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 57% | — | $38,576 |
| 14 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 48% | — | $28,298 |
| 15 | Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 68% | $24,278 | — |
| 16 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 79% | — | $41,099 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field (CIP 13.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 14 states
Where Environmental Education graduates come from. Each state links to all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 2 | 24 | Hamline University18 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 19 | University of Idaho19 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 13 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion13 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 11 | University of Georgia11 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 11 | Mississippi State University11 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 8 | Missouri State University - Springfield8 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 6 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point6 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 3 | University of Delaware3 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 3 | Antioch University - New England3 / yr |
| Montana | 2 | 2 | Montana State University1 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 2 | University of Nevada - Reno2 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | Florida Institute of Technology1 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | Bard College1 / yr |
| Vermont | 1 | 1 | University of Vermont1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2021, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Environmental Education program often pursue careers as elementary, middle, or secondary school teachers, with a focus on environmental topics. While the job outlook for this field is projected to decline by 2%, there are still approximately 91,000 annual openings, with a median wage of $62,340 for educators.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1338
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educationprimary SOC 25-2021 | $63,970 | -2.0% Decline | ~91,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2022 | $64,370 | -2.0% Decline | ~40,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Environmental Education programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Teacher Education and Professional Development specializations
The 37 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13).
- Physical Education Teaching and CoachingCIP 13.13147,066 graduates / yr415 institutions
- Reading Teacher EducationCIP 13.13156,128 graduates / yr305 institutions
- Music Teacher EducationCIP 13.13124,104 graduates / yr447 institutions
- Mathematics Teacher EducationCIP 13.13113,340 graduates / yr347 institutions
- English/CIP 13.1305
Language Arts Teacher Education 2,847 graduates / yr349 institutions - Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.13992,468 graduates / yr113 institutions
- Social Studies Teacher EducationCIP 13.13181,922 graduates / yr219 institutions
- Art Teacher EducationCIP 13.13021,858 graduates / yr258 institutions
- Health Teacher EducationCIP 13.13071,475 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Agricultural Teacher EducationCIP 13.13011,051 graduates / yr68 institutions
- Science Teacher Education/CIP 13.1316
General Science Teacher Education 1,021 graduates / yr160 institutions - History Teacher EducationCIP 13.1328976 graduates / yr128 institutions
- Biology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1322702 graduates / yr145 institutions
- Trade and Industrial Teacher EducationCIP 13.1320695 graduates / yr31 institutions
- School Librarian/CIP 13.1334
School Library Media Specialist 578 graduates / yr34 institutions - Social Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1317498 graduates / yr66 institutions
- Technology Teacher Education/CIP 13.1309
Industrial Arts Teacher Education 389 graduates / yr33 institutions - Technical Teacher EducationCIP 13.1319356 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Spanish Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1330342 graduates / yr96 institutions
- Foreign Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1306264 graduates / yr61 institutions
- Family and Consumer Sciences/CIP 13.1308
Home Economics Teacher Education 261 graduates / yr38 institutions - Drama and Dance Teacher EducationCIP 13.1324242 graduates / yr49 institutions
- Chemistry Teacher EducationCIP 13.1323209 graduates / yr63 institutions
- Computer Teacher EducationCIP 13.1321183 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Business and Innovation/CIP 13.1303
Entrepreneurship Teacher Education 165 graduates / yr38 institutions - Earth Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1337144 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Physics Teacher EducationCIP 13.1329120 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Health Occupations Teacher EducationCIP 13.132789 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Speech Teacher EducationCIP 13.1331partial data60 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Driver and Safety Teacher EducationCIP 13.1304partial data40 graduates / yr4 institutions
- French Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.132526 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Communication Arts and Literature Teacher EducationCIP 13.1339partial data14 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Sales and Marketing Operations/CIP 13.1310
Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education limited data8 graduates / yr2 institutions - Latin Teacher EducationCIP 13.1333partial data7 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Psychology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1335partial data5 graduates / yr4 institutions
- German Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1326partial data4 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Geography Teacher EducationCIP 13.1332limited data2 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a postbaccalaureate certificate, or an award for at least 12 weeks of study.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as an elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher, focusing on environmental education.
What is the job outlook for environmental educators?+
The job outlook is projected to decline by 2%, but there are still many annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Environmental Education?+
Environmental Education is CIP 13.1338 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to teach environmental education at various educational levels as a K-12 classroom educator. Includes instruction in foundations of environmental education, instructional methods, and related content knowledge.
How many institutions offer Environmental Education programs?+
16 U.S. institutions reported Environmental Education graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states, awarding 105 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Environmental Education graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education occupation, which Environmental Education most directly leads to, pays a median of $63,970 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field report median earnings of $41,658 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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