Program Overview

Introduction to the Fifth-Year Master’s Degree Program: BA/BS and MS in Sustainability

The Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning department at Tufts University offers an exceptional opportunity for undergraduate students to earn both a BA/BS and an MS in Sustainability in just five years. This combined degree program is designed to prepare graduates to take the lead in the field of sustainability, addressing the urgent challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and equity.

Program Description

The Fifth-Year Master of Science in Sustainability (MSS) program provides students with the opportunity to earn both an undergraduate degree and an MSS in five years. This program is ideal for students who are passionate about sustainability and want to make a positive impact in the world. Potential related majors include Anthropology, Architectural Studies, Biology, Community Health, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Economics, Environmental Studies, Sociology, and Political Science.

Program Requirements and Policies

• Students may apply up to six credit-hours of coursework at the 100-or 200-level taken as part of the undergraduate degree requirements towards the master's degree requirements.
• Students may reserve up to six credit-hours of coursework at the 100- or 200-level to count towards the graduate degree.
• To satisfy the credit requirements of both the graduate and undergraduate degrees, students may need to take courses during the summer.
• Graduate tuition is paid per-credit, and the overall cost of the 36 credit degree is reduced by up to 12 credits that have been reserved or double-counted.

Course Requirements

Fifth-Year MS in Sustainability students should review the requirements of the MS Sustainability program regarding core sustainability courses, electives, and internships. Admitted fifth-year students can double-count 2 courses across both undergrad and grad programs and reserve 2 courses taken as an undergrad to count towards the graduate degree.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must meet the following prerequisites before admission to the MS Sustainability program:

• Intermediate Economics with B- or higher (ECON 11 or ECON 30)
• MATH 21 with B- or higher
• ENVS major, co-major, or minor OR (with UEP permission) course, internship, or independent project with significant sustainability focus

Students seeking admission to the program should consult their undergraduate major advisors and UEP Professor Rebecca Shakespeare before applying. Interested students are encouraged to contact the department before applying during their first year, as sophomores, or as juniors. Juniors or Seniors may apply to this program and should start their application during the fall semester, noting the application deadlines on the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) website. Note that Tufts students do NOT have to take the GRE.

Research Areas

The Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning is involved in various research areas, including:

• Data and Spatial Analytics
• Food
• Housing & Community Development
• Land Use Planning
• Sustainability
• Transportation
• Water

Additional Resources

• Policy and Planning Competencies
• Field Projects
• Internships
• Master's Thesis and Capstone Exam
• Sample Degree Pathways
• Department of Environmental Studies
• Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering