Athabasca University

Programme overview

This is a 33-credit online Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies with a graduate focus in Environmental Studies. Students are admitted to the MA – Interdisciplinary Studies program and declare their Environmental Studies focus by submitting a study plan to the Graduate Office. Courses are offered in paced study and individualized study formats; individualized courses start monthly while paced courses have defined dates. You must complete at least 18 credits through Athabasca University. Program pacing is flexible: finish in as little as two years full time, work at your own pace up to six years, with an expected normal completion time of three to four years.

What you'll study

The focus examines how human activity shapes environments and how environmental change affects people and societies. Coursework draws on humanities and social sciences to cover cultural, ethical, political, economic, philosophical and ecological perspectives on environmental issues. Topics explicitly identified include sustainability, environmental justice, Indigenous ecological knowledge, different meanings of "nature," and the social and cultural contexts that frame responses to environmental change. The program concludes with a final integrated project or capstone paper; students may complete this through a paced study course or an individual project that connects research to a community, work or ecological situation.

Entry requirements

Admission requires a baccalaureate degree and an academic writing assessment. Applicants are admitted to the overall MA – Interdisciplinary Studies program and must submit a study plan after admission to declare the Environmental Studies focus. There are three intakes per year with application deadlines tied to start dates (Jan. 15 for spring intake, May 15 for fall intake, Sep. 15 for winter intake).

Career prospects

The focus prepares graduates to engage thoughtfully with environmental challenges by applying cultural and ecological awareness across perspectives. It suits those aiming for roles where interdisciplinary understanding of environmental change, sustainability, environmental justice and Indigenous ecological perspectives are important—such as policy, community engagement, research, advocacy, program development, or roles in organizations addressing socio-ecological issues.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Tuition and fee information is published by the university. For 2026–2027 the program lists per-course tuition fees and estimates total tuition for a Canadian student taking all AU courses at $22,572 (based on eleven three‑credit course equivalents); program and admission application fees and other administrative fees are additional. Indigenous Canadian graduate students are noted as eligible for a 10% tuition reduction on the tuition portion of AU graduate course costs starting Sep. 1, 2026. Prospective applicants should consult the university for details on scholarships, fee waivers or external funding opportunities.