MST Sustainable Tourism

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.

Attendance type

Full-time

Credit hours

31 credit hours

Study method

Online only

STEM-OPT option

STEM-OPT option not available

Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions

The Watts College is dedicated to tackling society's most daunting challenges through nationally ranked degree programs, internationally recognized faculty and practically-applied research. The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions embodies academic excellence and accessibility, hosting ASU's most diverse student body with the highest percentages of minority, transfer and working students, as well as the largest community of first-generation college students. International students from 59 countries are part of our vibrant community. The four schools-Community Resources and Development, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Public Affairs, and Social Work-bring inclusion, creativity, systems-level thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit to our mission of creating more vibrant, healthy and equitable communities.

ASU degree pathways

Students enrolled at an ASU Cintana Alliance Network institution have the chance to start their courses at their home institution and transfer those credits* to finish their remaining years at ASU.

Models available: Graduate dual degree and accelerated masters.

Courses at home university

TDM 570: Sustainable Tourism(3)

TDM 520: Sustainable Thinking in Tourism(3)

TDM 530: Sustainable Tourism Destination Planning and Management(3)

TDM 540: Sustainable Food Management in Tourism(3)

Courses at ASU

31 credit hours including the required applied project course (TDM 593)

Required Core (12 credit hours)

CRD 569 Advanced Tourism and Recreation Studies (3)

TDM 521 Sustainable Thinking in Tourism II (3)

TDM 531 Sustainable Tourism Destination Planning and Management II (3)

TDM 550 Managing the Sustainable Tourism Business (3)

Electives or Research (3 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (4 credit hours)

TDM 593: Applied Project (4)

*Transfer eligibility is subject to student performance in courses at home institution and Arizona State University transfer requirements.

Featured courses

Advanced Tourism and Recreation Studies

This course covers the advanced study of tourism with an emphasis on relevant practices, theories and concepts.

Managing the Sustainable Tourism Business

This course analyzes how sustainability impacts business operations and how successful sustainable businesses identify and assess alternative resource management techniques.

Sustainable Food Management in Tourism

This course focuses on the fundamentals of sustainability, sustainable food systems, relationships between food and tourism and the applications of sustainable food practices in different types of global tourism.

Career opportunities and applicable roles

After earning a Master of Sustainable Tourism, you’ll be able to pursue a variety of career options within both the sustainability and tourism sectors. Some students use their degree to advance in their existing professional path, while others turn to new opportunities.

Community Engagement Specialist

Conservation Officer

Sustainable Tourism Analyst

Sustainable Tourism Constant/Advisor

Sustainable Tourism Coordinator

Sustainable Tourism Educator/ Travel Guide

2025-26 Important dates and deadlines

Program Start	Application Deadline	Classes Begin	Tuition Payment Deadline
Spring start (January)	Rolling	January 13, 2025	January 20, 2025
Fall start (August)	Rolling	August 21, 2025	August 25, 2025
Spring start (January)	Rolling	January 12, 2026	January 19, 2026