Program Overview

Environmental Science and Policy, MS

Overview

The Environmental Science and Policy, MS program is an integrated curriculum of science, policy, and law, communication skills, and professional advocacy. Students choose one of three tracks: science, policy, or public administration, depending on career aspirations. The program consists of required core courses, track courses, and elective courses. It is offered on Pace's Pleasantville campus and can be completed in two academic years or four semesters of full-time study. The degree prepares students to pursue further advanced degrees or immediate employment in government, not-for-profit, or corporate sectors in the fields of conservation, sustainability, water quality, air quality, environmental justice, and climate change.

Curriculum

The program requires 36 (thesis) or 39-credit (non-thesis) credits. The course list includes:

• Required Courses
  • Required Core Courses for All Tracks
    • ESP 610: Principles of Environmental Science (3 credits)
    • ESP 602: Environmental Policy and Politics (3 credits)
    • ESP 608: Analytical Methods in Environmental Science and Policy (3 credits)
    • ESP 609: Art of Advocacy and Negotiation (3 credits)
    • ESP 702: Contemporary Issues in Environmental Policy: A Colloquium (2 credits)
  • Total Credits: 14
• Required Track (6 or 9 credits)
  • Choose one of the following tracks and complete corresponding courses
  • Science Track
    • ENS 622: Quantitative Methods in Environmental Science (3 credits)
    • ENS 623: Research and Statistical Methods (3 credits)
  • Policy Track
    • EP 601: Introduction to Environmental Law (3 credits)
    • EP 604: Environmental and Ecological Economics (3 credits)
    • EP 606: Legislative and Regulatory Process (3 credits)
  • Public Administration Track
    • PAA 601: Public Administration and its Environment (3 credits)
    • PAA 602: Organization Theory and Management (3 credits)
    • PAA 603: Economics of Government, Health Care and Nonprofit Entities (3 credits)
• Required Degree Culmination Experience (7 credits)
  • Choose one of the following degree culmination experience and complete corresponding courses
  • External and Capstone
    • ESP 701: Environmental Science and Policy Externship (4 credits)
    • ESP 794: Contemporary Environmental Issues: Capstone (3 credits)
  • Thesis
    • ESP 772: Thesis Preparation (1 credit)
    • ESP 792: Research I (3 credits)
    • ESP 793: Research II (3 credits)
• Required Electives/Specialization Courses (6 or 9 credits)
  • These can be electives with ESP, ENS, EP prefix, or courses approved by program director. Electives to fill up to 36 credits for thesis option and 39 credits for external/capstone option.
• Total Credits: 36 (Thesis) / 39 (Non-Thesis)