Purdue University has announced a new online Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) in Sustainability Engineering, a forward-looking program designed to prepare professionals to address complex global challenges at the intersection of engineering, sustainability and economic growth.

The interdisciplinary degree responds to exceptional demand for sustainability expertise across engineering sectors. According to the International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency bringing together governments, employers and workers, as many as 20 million new sustainability-related jobs may be needed worldwide by 2030, reflecting the accelerating need for engineers who can design systems that balance environmental responsibility, economic viability and social impact.

“This program recognizes that sustainability is no longer a niche specialization — it is a core engineering competency,” said John W. Sutherland, Fehsenfeld Family Head of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering. “By grounding students in life cycle assessment, systems thinking and real-world applications, we are preparing graduates to make informed, data-driven decisions that reduce environmental impact while delivering value for industry and society.”

Developed in close collaboration with industry partners, the program emphasizes practical, workforce-relevant skills, including circular economy strategies, resource efficiency and waste reduction. The M.S.E. track is available to students with undergraduate engineering degrees, while the M.S. track extends access to learners from other disciplines, reflecting the collaborative, cross-functional nature of sustainability work.

Students engage in project-based learning, applied case studies and virtual lab experiences that connect directly to their professional roles. Graduates will be prepared to lead sustainability initiatives across sectors such as energy, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, transportation and technology.

The M.S./M.S.E. in Sustainability Engineering developed by the School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering is a 30-credit-hour curriculum. This includes two new core courses in Life Cycle Assessment and Global Sustainability Engineering, a third core course selected from environmental engineering-related options, nine credit hours of technical electives and 12 credit hours of professional and applied electives.

Students can further customize their path of study with courses spanning Electrical and Computer Engineering, Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Materials Engineering.

As sustainability becomes central to global competitiveness and engineering practice, Purdue’s new online master’s program positions graduates to advance their careers while helping shape a more resilient and sustainable world.