Environmental Science and Policy, MS

Program Overview

This Master's program trains professionals in environmental science and policy to tackle critical issues such as land and water management, urbanization, and climate change. With a transdisciplinary approach, students specialize in concentrations ranging from aquatic ecology to communication for environmental behavior change. Graduates are prepared for careers in environmental policy analysis, conservation biology, and sustainability management.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This master's program addresses the growing need for trained environmental professionals capable of tackling critical issues like land and water management, urbanization, wetland loss, microbial ecology, bioremediation, conservation biology, and ecosystem preservation. Graduates will contribute to the analysis and resolution of global challenges such as deforestation, food scarcity, population growth, planetary health, and climate change. The program focuses on areas like ecosystems, conservation, environmental biocomplexity, molecular ecology, sustainability science, environmental policy and management, and human/environmental interactions. Recognizing that environmental problems often transcend traditional academic disciplines, the program emphasizes a transdisciplinary approach, combining diverse interests and subjects to develop creative solutions. The program is designated as a Green Leaf program, indicating its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Outline:

The program requires a total of 33 credits and is structured as follows:

Core Courses (15 credits):

• Science Courses (3 credits): Students choose 3 credits from a selection of courses including Conservation Biology, Fundamentals of Ecology, and Population Ecology.
• Statistics Courses (3 credits): Students choose 3 credits from courses like Quantitative Data Analysis for Environmental Scientists, Qualitative Research Methods for Environmental Scientists, Multivariate Data Analysis for Ecology and Environmental Science, Statistics and Study Design in Ecology and Conservation, Generalized Linear and Mixed Models in Ecology and Conservation Biology, Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government, and Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry.
• Policy Courses (3 credits): Students choose 3 credits from courses like Environment and Society, Environmental Policy Science.
• Science and Policy Courses (3 credits): Students choose 3 credits from courses like Evidence-Based Environmental Policymaking, Environmental Law Seminar.
• Seminar Courses (3 credits): Students choose 3 credits from courses like Master's Seminar in Environmental Science and Public Policy, Advanced Seminar in Environmental Science.

Research Requirement (3-6 credits):

• Research Project Option (3 credits): Students complete EVPP 798 Master's Research Project in Environmental Science and Public Policy, which includes a comprehensive examination covering program knowledge.
The examination includes written and oral components and is administered by the student's supervisory committee. Students are graded "Satisfactory/No Credit" on the project research requirement.
• Thesis Option (3-6 credits): Students complete EVPP 799 Master's Thesis in Environmental Science and Public Policy, present their results in a public seminar, and defend their thesis before their supervisory committee.
Students are graded "Satisfactory/No Credit" on the thesis research requirement.

Concentrations (12-15 credits):

Students choose one of the following concentrations, each with specific required courses and elective options:

• Aquatic Ecology Concentration (AQEC): Focuses on aquatic environments like lakes, streams, watersheds, and estuaries.
• Conservation Science and Policy Concentration (COSP): Integrates biological sciences and human dimensions of conservation practice, with a partnership with the Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation.
• Environmental Science and Policy Concentration (EVSP): Encourages independent and creative approaches to environmental science and policy research.
• Communication for Environmental Science, Policy, and Human Behavior (CESP): Emphasizes communication skills for environmental knowledge formation, policy, and behavior change.
• Environment and Management Concentration (EVM): Combines managerial and administrative skills with environmental science knowledge.
• Energy and Sustainability Policy and Science (ESPS): Provides multidisciplinary grounding in science, policy, and methods for energy and sustainability positions.
• Conservation Medicine & Planetary Health Concentration (CMPH): Addresses complex health problems related to disturbances in Earth's natural systems.

Electives (0-3 credits):

Students may take additional electives or concentration courses to reach the total 33 credit requirement. These courses must be approved by the student's supervisory committee.

Assessment:

The program's assessment methods include:

• Comprehensive Examination: For the Research Project Option, students take a comprehensive examination covering program knowledge, including written and oral components.
• Thesis Defense: For the Thesis Option, students defend their thesis before their supervisory committee.
• Coursework: Students are assessed through various methods within individual courses, such as exams, assignments, and projects.

Teaching:

The program emphasizes a transdisciplinary approach, combining diverse interests and subjects to develop creative solutions.

Careers:

The program prepares graduates for a variety of careers in environmental fields, including:

• Environmental Policy Analyst
• Conservation Biologist
• Environmental Scientist
• Sustainability Manager
• Environmental Educator
• Research Scientist
• Environmental Consultant

Other:

• The program is designated as a Green Leaf program, indicating its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• Students must form a supervisory committee and submit a program of study for approval within the first 9 credits of coursework or by the end of the second semester.
• The program offers an accelerated master's option for eligible undergraduate students.