Masters of Science in Sustainable Tourism

Introduction

East Carolina University now offers the nation’s first interdisciplinary Master of Science in Sustainable Tourism (MS-ST) degree. Approved courses were first offered in Fall 2009, with the arrival of the first enrolled students.  

East Carolina University now offers the nation's first interdisciplinary Master of Science in Sustainable Tourism (MS-ST) degree. Approved courses were first offered in Fall 2009, with the arrival of the first enrolled students.  A faculty committee representing the College of Business, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Human Ecology, the College of Fine Arts and Communication, and the College of Health and Human Performance provides direction and oversight to this degree program and the students enrolled.

Sustaining environments, businesses, and social and cultural identities requires an interdisciplinary approach and perspective. The MS-ST program draws upon emerging sustainability sciences ranging from the physical to the social to address complex sustainable tourism issues. Science and education are critical partners in the sustainable, long-term management of tourism, and this program provides the foundation for this new approach to sustainable management.

The program is anchored on four core sustainability and tourism courses—an introductory course, a science course, a business course, and a planning and policy course. In addition, students will choose from a set of electives and can opt for independent study or internship experience. Both thesis and non-thesis options are offered.

Electives for the program are drawn from disciplines across campus, utilizing the expertise of faculty at ECU and, as appropriate, from other universities. Electives are chosen to fit the career aspirations of the student and reflect the “triple bottom line” of sustainable tourism—economic, environmental, and sociocultural viability. Courses from the management, social, and biological sciences are taken to provide a broader understanding of the complexities of tourism and the challenge of sustainability.

These courses provide students the opportunity to study sustainability within a research-intensive tradition balanced with innovative planning, development, and management solutions for the growing challenges that face the future of tourism.

Click to hear more about the Center for Sustainable Tourism, the MS in Sustainable Tourism program, and Students for Sustainable Tourism!

Again, thank you for your interest in the sustainable tourism offerings of East Carolina University and the Center for Sustainable Tourism! Tomorrow Starts Here.

Faculty Oversight Committee

Course Requirements

SUTO 6000. Principles of Tourism and Sustainability (3 s.h.)

Theories of tourism and sustainable tourism; local and global applications of sustainable tourism practices.

SUTO 6100. Environmental Systems and Sustainability (3 s.h.)

Integration of environmental science in sustainability and tourism; emphasis on environmental impacts, and tourism; causes and consequences of environmental change.

SUTO 6200. Development and Management of Sustainable Tourism (3 s.h.)

P: Admission to the graduate program or consent of instuctor. Socially and environmentally responsible business practices in sustainable tourism.

SUTO 6300. Policy and Planning of Sustainable Tourism (3 s.h.)

P: Admission to the graduate program or consent of instructor. Public policy issues and planning; strategies crucial to sustainable tourism.

SUTO 6400. Sustainable Tourism Internship (Non-Thesis Option) (3 s.h.)

P: SUTO 6000 or consent of program director. Application of advanced sustainable concepts within a community or industrial setting.

SUTO 7000. Thesis (Thesis Option) (1-6 s.h.)

May be repeated. May count a maximum of 6 s.h.

In addition, a student needs to take Research Methods (6 s.h.), Directed Electives (9 s.h.), and a minimum of 6 s.h. from CRM 6200, ECON 6301, GEOG 6150, SOCI6212, SOCI 6213, MATH 5031, PSYC 6430, OMGT 6123, RCLS 6110 and PLAN 6301.

http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/grcat/sustainable-tourism.cfm

Program Goals

The Master of Science in Sustainable Tourism (MS-ST) is a multidisciplinary degree program focusing on the critical issues of sustainability within the world’s largest industry, tourism. It is designed to provide educated leadership to assist with the stabilization, expansion, and effective management of tourism businesses and the furthering of effective public policy at all levels of government to ensure that tourism contributes to economic vitality in balance with preserving environmental and community attributes.

Specifically, the MS-ST degree program will:

• Provide a strong foundation for career advancement, future doctoral studies, and executive and senior level positions within the many and varied public, private, and nonprofit tourism entities;
• Provide recent graduates from undergraduate programs at both ECU and across North Carolina, an outstanding graduate degree program opportunity in tourism, most specifically, sustainable tourism;
• Provide technical consultation and planning advice to local communities, businesses, and non-governmental organizations interested in improving and expanding their tourism potential;
• Provide culturally diverse coursework specific to the unique business practices needed in tourism that will prepare students to meet the challenges of living and working in a global community;
• Meet emerging industry demand for degreed professionals who can manage complex sustainable tourism environments;
• Provide for individuals who are interested in transitioning from their current level of employment to higher positions in tourism that call for more advanced study;
• Provide educational advancement and applied research opportunities to the emerging numbers of community college personnel needed to prepare students for jobs and careers in tourism; and
• Recruit and support outstanding faculty committed to quality teaching, research, and community activities in all components of sustainable tourism including (but not limited to) leisure and recreation, hospitality, social and physical sciences, medicine, business, information technology, and the arts.

FAQ

Will the MS-ST be offered online or through distance education?

At this point in time we will not be offering this degree program online or through distance learning. Students admitted to our graduate program must be able to attend their courses in person. Consideration for online options is being made for the future.

Is the GRE required?

Yes, the general GRE test is required of all applicants regardless of previous undergraduate or graduate degrees. We do not require any GRE subject tests. MAT scores are not accepted.

Can I attend this graduate program part-time?

Yes, you may attend part-time. Please keep in mind that your time-to-degree will be extended and that we expect that students in our program will finish their degree in a timely manner.

Can international students apply for MS-ST program?

Yes, we accept applications from international students. Please visit the ECU Graduate Catalogue website for information on additional requirements for international students.

Do I have to have a tourism degree/background to be accepted to the program?

No, you are not required to have an undergraduate degree in tourism or to have worked in the tourism industry to be accepted into the program. However, your statement of purpose will be carefully considered as part of the application process. Due to the specialized nature of the program, it is important that your professional and/or academic goals are closely related to the field of sustainable tourism.

Is there funding and/or scholarships available for the program?

Information on funding and scholarships will be posted soon.

Application and Admission

Admission

Participation in the MS in Sustainable Tourism program requires commitment, motivation, and excellent academic preparation. Completion of the program will typically require two years, both of which will be spent in residence at East Carolina University. Students must have a strong motivation to work independently as well as collaboratively with fellow students and faculty.

Applicants must meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School of East Carolina University and are expected to have previously obtained a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0.

Deadlines for Application Process

Rolling by semester.

Selection

An Admissions Committee made up of the members of the Faculty Oversight Committee will review applications and make recommendations for admissions and financial support to the program director based on the strength of the total application.

Admissions Contact:

Dr. Bob Edwards, Director of Academic Programs

edwardsr@ecu.edu