In this program, you’ll cover the foundational concepts of sustainability, including social equity, protection of the environment and economic viability. You’ll also learn how to:
- Analyze data in order to identify trends, opportunities and threats to proactively prevent damage.
- Build cultural awareness and sensitivity necessary for respecting diverse cultures, traditions and perspectives of different communities.
- Design effective strategies to lessen or eliminate the impact of travel on local communities.
- Utilize problem-solving skills to develop solutions for complex issues related to environmental, social and economic sustainability in diverse areas.
Along with specialized knowledge, you’ll develop transferable skills, such as critical thinking and effective communication, which can be valuable in various tourism industry roles for working with stakeholders.
What can you do with a sustainable tourism master’s?
A master’s degree in sustainable tourism affirms your knowledge and capabilities in the travel sector. It shows that you can:
- Balance the need for profit with the importance of sustainability.
- Craft equitable, environmentally-conscious responses to issues and opportunities in the travel industry.
- Take all stakeholders into account when making decisions.
Travelers, communities, businesses, government agencies and organizations are moving towards a future of sustainability. As this interest continues to rise, so will the demand for qualified professionals in the field. After completing this program, you’ll be able to advance in your current professional path or pursue roles across the tourism or sustainability sector. Diverse opportunities you’ll be prepared for include; ecotourism educator, sustainability marketing associate, travel guide and more.
Is sustainable tourism the same as ecotourism?
No. Sustainable tourism is a broader concept that encompasses a range of practices aimed at minimizing the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, society and the economy. While it includes ecotourism, it also addresses other aspects of tourism sustainability.
Additionally, sustainable tourism can encompass a wide range of tourism experiences, not limited to nature-based activities. It includes cultural tourism, heritage tourism, adventure tourism and more.
Sustainable tourism centers around identifying and mitigating the potentially negative results of travel on local communities and the natural environment. In Arizona State University’s online Master of Sustainable Tourism, you’ll learn about the environmental, social and economic aspects of traveling. After completing this program, you’ll be prepared to build sustainable solutions for the various challenges facing tourism today.
Alongside core concepts, the curriculum for this degree focuses on specialized issues within sustainable tourism. For the program’s capstone you’ll prepare a project that combines both theory and practice.
The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inspire the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Faculty highlights include:
- Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
- Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is a comprehensive public service college dedicated to addressing social problems through teaching, research and service. Our programs, which range from public policy and social work to criminal justice and emergency management, are designed to prepare graduates to make a difference in their communities.
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Applicants to the Master of Sustainable Tourism program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program. Alternatively, prospective students must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Official transcripts.
The online application will require three letters of recommendation. These should be from current or former employers, current or former faculty members or others familiar with the applicant's scholarly and professional abilities. Required are the names, email addresses, titles and organizations from whom the student will be requesting recommendations. The three referees will be emailed a link to complete an online recommendation form.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in criminology or criminal justice, public administration or public service, sociology or social work, public safety or fire service management, parks and recreation management, applied sciences or another closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”