Program Overview
Masters of the Environment
The Masters of the Environment (MENV) program is a graduate program that focuses on sustainability, energy, and environment. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex environmental challenges facing the world today.
About the Program
The MENV program is housed in the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Community (SEEC) building at the University of Colorado Boulder. The program is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and offers a range of specializations and electives that allow students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals.
Specializations
The MENV program offers six specializations:
- Environmental and Natural Resource Policy (ENRP)
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy (RSE)
- Sustainability in the Outdoor Industry (SOI)
- Sustainable Food Systems (SFS)
- Urban Resilience and Sustainability (URS)
- Dual Specialization
Dual Specialization
The Dual Specialization program allows students to officially focus on two distinct areas within the MENV program. Students can choose a primary specialization and complete all core courses, and then select a secondary specialization and complete any three courses (core or elective) within that area. The Dual Specialization program provides students with a unique perspective on the intersections between different fields and prepares them for careers that require a deep understanding of multiple areas.
Dual Specialization Combinations
The following dual specialization combinations are available:
- ENRP + RSE: This combination provides students with the knowledge to directly participate in the renewable energy sector and to change the societal incentives to support those practices.
- ENRP + SOI: This combination prepares students for careers in state or federal public land agencies and conservation non-profit organizations.
- ENRP + SFS: This combination provides students with the knowledge to directly participate in the food system sustainability and to change the societal incentives to support those practices.
- ENRP + URS: This combination helps students understand the connections between land use, energy, and sustainability and prepares them for careers in transportation planning, resilience planning, and climate planning.
- RSE + ENRP: This combination provides students with the knowledge to directly participate in the renewable energy sector and to change the societal incentives to support those practices.
- RSE + SOI: This combination prepares students for careers in renewable energy consulting, corporate sustainability, and energy and sustainability specialist roles.
- RSE + SFS: This combination provides students with a unique perspective on the energy-food nexus and prepares them for careers in agrivoltaics, land use and energy policy, and food industry sustainability.
- RSE + URS: This combination operates at the intersection of land use, energy, and sustainability and prepares students for careers in city and state sustainability management, land use and transportation planning, and green building and renewable energy consulting.
- SOI + ENRP: This combination prepares students for careers in state or federal public land agencies and conservation non-profit organizations.
- SOI + RSE: This combination prepares students for careers in renewable energy consulting, corporate sustainability, and energy and sustainability specialist roles.
- SOI + SFS: This combination explores the interdependence of food production systems and the outdoor recreation industry on healthy ecosystems and prepares students for careers in agricultural land stewardship, sustainable supply-chain management, and community development.
- SOI + URS: This combination examines the ways in which outdoor recreation is central to the development of sustainable and resilient communities and prepares students for careers in urban sustainability, parks and open space planning, and community and economic development.
- SFS + ENRP: This combination provides students with the knowledge to directly participate in the food system sustainability and to change the societal incentives to support those practices.
- SFS + RSE: This combination provides students with a unique perspective on the energy-food nexus and prepares them for careers in agrivoltaics, land use and energy policy, and food industry sustainability.
- SFS + SOI: This combination explores the interdependence of food production systems and the outdoor recreation industry on healthy ecosystems and prepares students for careers in agricultural land stewardship, sustainable supply-chain management, and community development.
- SFS + URS: This combination explores the connection between food production, food security, and broader community development goals and prepares students for careers in urban sustainability, food system planning, and community development.
- URS + ENRP: This combination helps students understand the connections between land use, energy, and sustainability and prepares them for careers in transportation planning, resilience planning, and climate planning.
- URS + RSE: This combination operates at the intersection of land use, energy, and sustainability and prepares students for careers in city and state sustainability management, land use and transportation planning, and green building and renewable energy consulting.
- URS + SOI: This combination examines the ways in which outdoor recreation is central to the development of sustainable and resilient communities and prepares students for careers in urban sustainability, parks and open space planning, and community and economic development.
- URS + SFS: This combination explores the connection between food production, food security, and broader community development goals and prepares students for careers in urban sustainability, food system planning, and community development.
Academics
The MENV program offers a range of academic courses and experiential learning opportunities. The program includes a core curriculum, specializations, and electives, as well as a capstone project and global immersion opportunities.
Career Paths
The MENV program prepares students for a range of career paths, including:
- Environmental policy analyst
- Renewable energy project manager
- Supply chain analyst or manager
- Land use planner
- Permitting and zoning staff member
- Energy agency official
- Local, regional, or national elected official
- Sustainability consultant
- Sustainability manager
- Program director for an outdoor recreation or food systems business or non-profit organization
- Urban sustainability director
- Parks and open space planner
- City/county recreation manager
- Transportation specialist
- Community and economic development consultant
Student Resources
The MENV program offers a range of student resources, including financial information, housing, student support, international student resources, academic advising, and graduate student assistant opportunities.
Career Services
The MENV program offers career services, including professional development services and resources, alumni success stories and outcomes, and 6-month post-graduation employment data.