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Ask the Expert: Joel Gerard Burken, PhD, PE, F. AEESP, BCEE

Joel Gerard Burken

Dr. Joel Burken is Curators’ Distinguished Professor and Mathes Chair of Environmental Engineering at Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T). He received his PhD from the University of Iowa in 1996, where he conducted some of the initial research on phytoremediation.

A leader in his field, Dr. Burken has served in various national professional and agency-related leadership roles, including president of the Board of Directors of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Board and chair of the ASCE Department Heads Coordinating Council (2021-2023). He is also a past member of the US EPA Science Advisory Board.

With over 100 publications, his research on phytoremediation and sustainable infrastructure has achieved international recognition and innovation awards, including the 2007 AEESP Outstanding Teaching Award, the 2018 AAEES Science Award, two ASCE Rudolf Hering Medals, and the 2024 ASCE President’s Medal.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What is something you wish the public understood about environmental engineering?

Dr. Burken: Most of all, I wish the general public understood that environmental engineering saves more life years than doctors by preventing disease from environmental causes. When we prevent disease in the first place, people are more prosperous and do not have the need to thematically treat disease from environmental causes.

Many consider “environmental engineering” as merely improving our surroundings, and while that is part of our charge, our main goal and greatest impact is to protect human health. When we invest in environmental infrastructure and control environmental exposures to disease agents, we see improvements in quality of life, increased life expectancy, and decreased infant mortality rates.

This in turn results in numerous benefits, including more children having educational opportunities, better public health, and reduced care needs for the infirm—all of which foster prosperity. The result is an enhanced opportunity for societal advancement, elevating the welfare and dignity of the population.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What advice would you give to aspiring students in environmental engineering?

Dr. Burken: My biggest piece of advice would be to invest time in learning more about the profession. As noted, it aligns more with public health improvement than solely environmental care. While environmental improvement of water, air, soil, and food sources is crucial, our efforts target specific vectors that expose us to disease agents to enhance public health. By understanding the greatest health threats, we can mitigate their impact more efficiently, transitioning over time from acute health threats to more chronic exposures that affect people later in life.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What does the future of the field look like to you?

Dr. Burken: The field is growing fast. In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that environmental engineering would grow “faster than average” over the next decade. Recent investments from the infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act are likely to further support the field, particularly in civil and environmental infrastructure. We’re already seeing a notable shortage of engineers, with over 100 employers seeking environmental engineers at our fall career fair at Missouri University of Science & Technology. With about 30 seniors, we can’t meet the demand for our graduates.

We’re also seeing increased investment in resilience against natural hazards—such as floods, droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes—and impacts related to climate change. With a growing range of disease agents and a rising global population, the challenges continue to expand.

We can and will address these issues!

Is an Online Environmental Engineering Degree Right for me?

Before deciding on an online program, it is important to consider several factors to determine whether or not it is the best option.

Most importantly, anyone considering enrolling in an online environmental engineering degree program must understand its campus visitation requirements. Some schools ask that you attend an on-campus orientation. Others ask that you attend an on-campus intensive at regular intervals, like once per semester, or once per year. Others may ask that you present your capstone project on campus. So be sure to inquire about specific campus visitation requirements.

Certainly, primarily or totally online programs can be a highly attractive option for those who do not have the time to attend scheduled lectures or who do not live close enough to the campus to make travel practical. Others, however, may find it difficult to excel in such a program, particularly students who do not perform well without in-person support from professors or their peers inside the classroom or outside the classroom in group study sessions.

Furthermore, while a number of students may find it beneficial to have a more flexible schedule as compared to a traditional program, many others may have issues with this lack of structure and struggle to meet deadlines without constant supervision. Ultimately, there are a host of factors to consider before deciding to enroll in an online program. For independent learners and doers who require flexibility, online programs can work exceptionally well.

List of Online Environmental Engineering Degree Programs

Filter by state :
DEGREE :
School City State Website Undergrad Graduate Grads
University of Florida

Gainesville

FL www.ufl.edu/ 110
Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore

MD www.jhu.edu 76
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign

IL www.illinois.edu 62
Columbia University in the City of New York

New York

NY www.columbia.edu 57
California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton

CA www.fullerton.edu 42
University of New Haven

West Haven

CT www.newhaven.edu 42
North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh

NC www.ncsu.edu 41
Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla

MO www.mst.edu 38
Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins

CO www.colostate.edu 31
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester

MA www.wpi.edu 21
Southern Methodist University

Dallas

TX www.smu.edu 15
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville

TN www.utk.edu 13
University of North Dakota

Grand Forks

ND und.edu 4
Northcentral Technical College

Wausau

WI www.ntc.edu 3

1University of Central Florida

The Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering Department of the University of Central Florida offers an online environmental engineering degree program with two options: an MS and an MSVE. These programs can be completed entirely online providing convenience and flexibility to working professionals. The programs help students learn about air and water pollution control, recycling, public health, and waste disposal.

Admission requirements for the program include a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or from a recognized foreign institution (the MS option is for students who have a bachelor’s degree in science or math, while the MSVE option is for those with a bachelor’s degree in engineering), one official transcript, a current resume, goal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation is required for students who have attended a college or university outside the United States. GRE scores are not required for admission.

The program, which consists of 30 credits, includes courses such as physical/chemical treatment systems in environmental engineering, biological treatment systems in environmental engineering, industrial waste treatment, and water treatment.

Both programs prepare students for environmental engineering careers in state, local, and federal governments, consulting, industry, and higher education. They can take up roles such as environmental engineers, environmental health and safety managers, engineering managers, directors of engineering, and fire protection engineers.

  • Location: Orlando, Florida
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

2Columbia University

At Columbia University, students can earn a master's in earth and environmental engineering. The program is ideal for scientists and engineers who are interested in pursuing a career in environmental management and development. The program focuses on environmentally sound practices including the processing of minerals, water, and energy, as well as proper disposal or recycling of used materials.

To gain admission, students must have an undergraduate degree in science, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or a related field from an accredited institution, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, a GRE score, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a current resume, personal statement, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for students whose first language is not English.

The program, which comprises 30 credits, includes courses such as introduction to aquatic chemistry, introduction to surface and colloid chemistry, introduction to sustainable mineral production, catalysis for emissions control, combustion chemistry and processes, environmental microbiology, and management and development of water systems.

Graduates of the program are qualified to work for financial, and engineering companies engaged in mineral processing. They can find employment in the environmental industry, as well as local, state, and federal organizations concerned with the environment and resource conservation. Apart from a master’s, the university also offers a doctorate in earth and environmental engineering, a certificate in earth and environmental engineering, and a certificate in low carbon and efficiency technology.

  • Location: New York, New York State
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Must be completed within five years

3University of Florida

The University of Florida offers an online master’s degree (MS or ME) in environmental engineering sciences (EES), delivered through the University of Florida’s electronic delivery of gator engineering (EDGE). An online degree from the University of Florida is similar to the one awarded to on-campus students. That means it also demands the same rigorous admissions standards, world-class faculty, and a tradition of academic excellence.

For the master of engineering (ME) program, students must have earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited college or they must complete articulation work for equivalence. If this is not the case, a master of science (MS) degree should be earned. Apart from an undergraduate degree, additional admission requirements include a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, a grade point average of 3.0, official transcripts, official test scores, a current resume, background courses, and TOEFL scores for international students.

The 30-credit program includes courses such as contaminant subsurface hydrology, advanced surface hydrology, environmental biochemistry of trace metals, water quality analysis, ecological and general systems, energy analysis, advanced ecological engineering, environmental nanotechnology, and wetland hydrology.

Through the program, students will be able to identify and solve environmental problems using engineering and scientific tools and methods, critically evaluate and read engineering or science literature, communicate effectively, and develop an understanding of ethical and professional responsibility.

  • Location: Gainesville, Florida
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

4University of North Dakota

At the University of North Dakota, students can pursue a master's degree (MS or MEng), a doctoral degree, or a certificate in environmental engineering. All these programs can be completed entirely online. Students in these programs will work closely with businesses, communities, and industries for developing new technologies and solving infrastructure-related problems.

The major admission requirements include a BS degree in an engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program, a minimum grade point average of 2.5, a GRE general test for those with undergraduate degrees from non-ABET accredited programs, and English language proficiency for international students.

Nine credits must be completed for the certificate, 30 credits for the master’s, and 90 credits for the doctorate. Courses include instruction in hazardous waste management; air pollution control; water sampling and analysis; hydrogeology; and energy, resources, and policy, among others.

Graduates of these programs will be prepared for careers in academia, industries, or government, including positions in waste disposal, recycling, water, and air pollution control, data science, pipeline operations, and consulting.

  • Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Certificate (one year); master’s (18 months); doctorate (up to seven years)

5Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers an online master of science in environmental engineering, allowing students to focus on interests such as industrial waste treatment, stormwater quality control, and physicochemical treatment processes. Students engage in practical projects and research, gaining an overall understanding of the professional and technical aspects of preserving the environment and public health.

To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a relevant bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (preferably ABET-accredited), transcripts for all post-secondary colleges or universities, three letters of recommendation, and TOEFL scores for international students, among other requirements.

The coursework provides a strong foundation in the theoretical and practical aspects of environmental engineering. Topics covered in classes include hydraulics and hydrology, physical, chemical, and biological treatment systems for water, wastewater, hazardous waste and industrial waste, modeling of contaminant transport and transformations, and water quality and water resources.

Graduates of these programs can find employment in industries like pharmaceutical production, industrial manufacturing, sustainable energy, and facilities planning.

  • Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

6North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University offers an online master of environmental engineering program. This online program is identical to the on-campus program, allowing students the flexibility to study and learn at their own pace.

Applicants to the program must have an undergraduate degree in environmental or civil engineering from an accredited institution (or its equivalent) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students, but these can be waived for students with at least one year of full-time study at a U.S. university. The GRE is automatically waived for students who have an undergraduate engineering degree from a U.S. institution.

The program consists of 30 credits involving courses such as the physical principles of environmental engineering; biological principles of environmental engineering; chemical principles of environmental engineering; engineering principles of air pollution control; hydraulics of groundwater; engineering hydrology; and water resources engineering.

  • Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Must be completed within six years

7California State University, Fullerton

California State University at Fullerton offers an online master of science in an environmental engineering program, which educates and prepares future leaders of environment-related fields. This MS program provides working professionals with technical knowledge and practical information on contemporary environmental issues and topics including wastewater treatment and disposal, potable water treatment, air pollution control engineering, landfill design, global warming issues, and other topics. Students are required to complete a virtual orientation session before the program and a virtual symposium halfway through the program to gauge their progress.

For admission to the program, students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 for students with an engineering bachelor's degree and 3.0 for students with a non-engineering bachelor's degree, and TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores for students who have a bachelor's degree from a country in which English is not the majority language.

The program comprises 30 credits, including courses on the fate and transport of chemicals in the environment, hydraulics and hydrology for environmental engineers, water supply, treatment, and system design, environmental engineering practices and project management, air pollution control engineering, and surface water pollution and control.

Upon completion, students will be prepared for professional engineering exams and will be able to explore a range of environmental engineering careers and roles.

  • Location: Fullerton, California
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

8Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University offers an online master’s degree in environmental engineering, providing students with comprehensive knowledge for advancing their careers. To complete this program, students are required to complete original research in an area of interest. They can use the resources available at the university's state-of-the-art facilities to complete their research. The program is taught by experienced engineering faculty members who are experts in their fields.

To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (preferably in civil or environmental engineering, with a strong background in mathematics and physical sciences), an essay of 500 words or less, two letters of recommendation, an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher, TOEFL or IELTS is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. GRE scores are required only for applicants who do not have an ABET-accredited engineering degree from an institution in the USA.

The program consists of 30 credits. The curriculum delves into topics such as ordinary differential equations, environmental pollution and control, hydraulics and water resources, hydromechanics, civil and environmental computations, and calculus.

Graduates of the program can take up roles such as biofuels production managers, architectural and engineering managers, water resource specialists, wind energy operations managers, environmental compliance inspectors, environmental engineers, environmental restoration planners, water/wastewater engineers, and biomass power plant managers.

  • Location: Norfolk, Virginia
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

9University of New Haven

The University of New Haven offers a fully online master of science degree in environmental engineering. The program provides ample opportunities for students to collaborate with faculty and classmates while advancing their education. The faculty members for the program are the same as that of the on-campus program, and they use leading-edge instructional methods and the same curriculum as that on campus.

This 30-credit degree program includes 10 courses. Some of the courses include biological treatment of aqueous wastes, containment fate and transport in the environment, solid waste management, environmental law and legislation, hazardous waste treatment, open channel hydraulics, and surface water quality management.

Applicants to the program must submit a completed application form, official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools attended, a brief statement of purpose, a current resume, two letters of recommendation, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for all non-native English language speakers. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.

Students learn how to develop sustainable solutions to complex environmental problems and explore the myriad areas of environmental engineering, such as water quality, environmental protection, water purification, solid waste management systems, wastewater treatment, emission control measures, and site remediation.

  • Location: New Haven, Connecticut
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 18 months

10Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University offers an online master of science degree in environmental engineering that emphasizes engineering design and analysis of management and technology-oriented solutions to environmental problems. The coursework is offered completely online to help professionals continue with their jobs, uninterrupted.

Admission requirements include a bachelor of science degree in one of the engineering disciplines or a quantitative science closely related to environmental engineering, minimum of one year of college-level calculus and a year of college-level chemistry, and a solid background in the fundamental engineering sciences, including fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, is desirable.

The program, which comprises 30 credits, includes courses such as environmental chemistry, biological processes and treatment, air pollution management and engineering, physical and chemical processes and treatment, disaster management, and environmental regulations and compliance. Students in this program will also have the option to take three elective courses (a total of nine credits) in the following secondary concentrations: global and sustainable development, environmental health and compliance, and smart and resilient infrastructure.

  • Location: Dallas, Texas
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

11Arizona State University (Related)

Arizona State University offers an online master of science in engineering in a sustainable engineering program. This program focuses on sustainable principles that integrate environmental, social, economic, and political concerns into engineering theory. It is very similar to a master’s in environmental engineering. Engineering professionals who focus on sustainability consider a wider variety of concerns for every project. These professionals also consider a project’s potential influence on economies, governments, and societies along with the environment.

Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor's degree or master's degree in engineering or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Application requirements include a completed graduate application, GRE scores, official transcripts, a personal statement, and three recommendation letters.

The 30-credit program includes courses such as advanced earth systems engineering and management, industrial ecology and design for sustainability, life cycle assessment, earth systems and industrial ecology, sustainable energy and material use, and an applied project.

  • Location: Tempe, AZ
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Admissions Requirements for Online Environmental Engineering Degree Programs (what to expect)

Aspiring students who wish to enroll in an online environmental engineering program must first meet several admissions requirements before being accepted. While there is not a universal set of guidelines used by all online programs, in general, each of these institutions will employ a relatively similar set of admissions criteria to determine who is offered acceptance for an upcoming cycle. Because of this, anyone wishing to enroll in an online program should fully understand these admissions criteria and the steps they can take to enhance their chances of being offered acceptance.

For virtually all undergraduate programs, students must show proof of SAT scores in combination with a copy of a high school diploma or GED. In addition to this proof, prospective students will often be asked to submit a personal essay about themselves and their aspirations as environmental engineers, as well as letters of recommendation from current teachers or employers who can attest to their capabilities as a student. In some cases, students will also be asked to offer additional information regarding their academic experience, or why they would like to enroll in this specific program.

Aspiring graduate students will likely encounter an application process that is similar to that of their undergraduate peers. Of course, instead of showing proof of SAT scores, they may be asked to submit the scores they received on the GRE (or on a separate graduate school entrance examination). These students will likely also be asked to offer copies of their undergraduate transcripts and diplomas, in addition to letters of recommendation from past professors or lecturers under whom they studied.

Finally, because aspiring graduate students may have spent time in the workforce, they may be asked to submit letters of recommendation from previous employers or supervisors, as well as a personal essay on how their experience in work and school will aid them in their future studies.

For all online programs, both undergraduate and graduate students will be required to submit their application packages on or before a specific deadline. And while the specific date may vary based on the institution, the deadline for a spring-start program may be in late fall, while the deadline for a fall-start program will likely be in the later months of winter. That said, this shouldn’t serve as definitive information; instead, individuals who are interested in enrolling in an online program should speak to that program’s administration to learn more about relevant dates and deadlines.

Online Environmental Engineering Program Accreditation

When choosing an online program, aspiring students may wish to use program accreditation as an additional criterion when making a final decision. Environmental engineering programs may receive accreditation through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET), which serves as the national accreditation agency for programs focusing on technology and engineering. ABET acts as an umbrella organization with a number of member groups; the American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists (AAEES) exists as the sub-agency for environmental engineering professionals.

Here, it is important to realize that a degree from an accredited institution is not a prerequisite to obtaining future employment as an environmental engineer. A degree from an accredited institution and at least four years of work experience as an engineer is necessary to qualify for the exam to receive a Professional Engineer license through the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). A PE license allows the holder to take on a greater degree of responsibility in his or her work and may be a requirement for certain types of advanced positions as well.

Furthermore, a Professional Engineering license is also one required criterion for becoming Board Certified in Environmental Engineering through AAEES, considered “premium credentials that are awarded to experienced professionals who have demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of specialization.”

Curriculum & Specialization of Environmental Engineering Programs

In general, students in online environmental engineering programs will generally take or have taken courses on physics, mechanics, materials, organic chemistry, heat transfer, microbiology, thermodynamics, calculus, and others related to engineering principles.

In some cases, particularly in master’s degree programs, environmental engineering students may also have the opportunity to specialize in water resources engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical and geophysical engineering, hydrology and hydraulic engineering, and environmental nanotechnology, among other areas.

Some of the topics can expect to study include:

  • Biological treatment in environmental engineering
  • Industrial waste treatment
  • Combustion chemistry and processes
  • Water systems
  • Stochastic subsurface hydrology
  • Pollution control
  • Energy resources and policy

Campus Visitation Requirements for Online Environmental Engineering Programs

Campus visitation requirements will vary by institution. Indeed, some online degree programs require students to visit the campus one or two times throughout the year to take an examination or to meet with an instructor.

Many others, however, have no campus visitation requirements at all, and students within these programs may complete a degree without ever setting foot on the campus. The environmental engineering master’s degree program at Columbia University is a prime example; here, students are never required to visit the campus while in pursuit of their degree.

Other Considerations for Selecting the Right Program

Prospective students of environmental engineering should examine post-graduate job placement data, which may shed light on the quality of the institution (or the reach of its graduates). Furthermore, students may also wish to inquire about online student support (including tech support) and career and advising services available during and after completion of the program.

How Much Do Environmental Engineers Make?

These numbers represent data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest figures available as of November 2024.

Environmental Engineers

  • Number employed in the U.S.: 39,880
  • Average annual salary (mean): $105,840
  • 10th percentile: $63,370
  • 25th percentile: $78,640
  • 50th percentile (median): $100,090
  • 75th percentile: $125,520
  • 90th percentile: $156,530

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