Little Delaware is the second smallest state by land area, but also the sixth most dense… which puts almost everyone here in touch with the natural environment in some way.
That's a pretty serious consideration in the age of global climate change, and one that none of us can dodge… not a single one of the nearly 1 million residents of Delaware live any higher than 450 feet above sea level. With the lowest mean elevation of any state, we're particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges from increasingly frequent-and northerly veering-Atlantic hurricanes.
But we know about those threats only through science, and it's through science that we will find ways to counter them. That's why earning a degree in environmental science is a smart and proactive approach for both your career and your concerns for home and family.
What Can I Do with an Environmental Science Degree in Delaware
Like all states in the modern era, Delaware's state government takes environmental protection and conservation responsibilities seriously. Environmental scientists and technicians are always in demand at the state Department of Natural Resources, and those roles represent the single largest category of environmental jobs in the state.
Perhaps because of that, the average salary for those positions in the state according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics is only $60,340. But government jobs come with benefits such as terrific medical care, guaranteed pensions, and job security that bring a lot more value to your total compensation.
The education industry itself is another source of environmental work in Delaware, with the very universities you will rely on to earn your degree in turn looking to graduates to fill research and teaching positions.
2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for Environmental Scientists and Specialists reflect state data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2021.
Master's in Environmental Science in Delaware
The College of Ocean, Earth, and the Environment at the University of Delaware really covers all the bases in environmental education through their graduate studies program. A significant research program with diverse areas of investigation ranging from wind power to small crop farming in third world countries gives you an opportunity to earn your spurs, with a range of graduate degrees in specialized areas like climatology, geography, marine policy, marine bioscience, and more.
On the private school front, Wesley College in Dover delivers a terrific MS in Environmental Science that caters to working individuals by offering classes primarily in the late afternoon or evening. With the hallmark private school touch of small class sizes and an innovative, personalized curriculum, you get your money's worth here.
Bachelor's in Environmental Science in Delaware
Whatever path you decide to take at the master's level, you'll need a solid undergraduate degree first. Delaware State University has all your bases covered with bachelor of science degrees on offer in environmental science, fisheries management, and wildlife management. They also have an agricultural department that goes on to offer specific degrees in agriscience and plant science.
Online Environmental Science Degree Options from Schools in Delaware
Online degree options are increasingly popular at every level of education. With the ability to sit at your kitchen table anytime day or night taking in the day's course content on your laptop, what's not to like?
Wilmington University is the place in Delaware that delivers this flexible, innovative option for environmental science students through their online BS in environmental science program. Extra touches such as home lab kits that are sent right to your door and research partnerships with agencies such as the Delaware Space Grant Consortium give you an education every bit as rigorous as on-campus programs offer, with a lot more freedom and flexibility.
