Sustainable Development and Policy Concentration

The curriculum for the M.S. in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Sustainable Development and Policy prepares students for professional positions in environmental policy and regulation, advocacy, and sustainability planning.

Objectives are to enable students to:

  1. Understand the historical context for natural resources and environmental policy
  2. Critically evaluate and contribute to the design and implementation of effective environmental policies
  3. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the conceptual elements of sustainability
  4. Communicate and evaluate issues in sustainable development policies and practices
  5. Examine how shifts in natural resources and environmental policy might contribute to sustainable development

Students take two core courses, three concentration courses, and 16 credits of electives chosen in consultation with their adviser. Students can complete a thesis, graduate project, or 240-hour capstone internship as the closure option.

This degree concentration is interdisciplinary and is open to students from all academic backgrounds. Students do not need to identify a research supervisor in advance to apply for this concentration.

Requirements

Core Requirements
ENS 551Environmental Natural Sciences4
ENS 552Environmental Social Sciences and Humanities4
Concentration Courses
ENS 571Sustainable Development4
ENS 581Environmental Policy and Analysis4
ENS 587Natural Resources: Policy and Administration4
or ENS 483 Environmental Policies: National Environmental Policy Act
Elective Courses
Select electives in consultation with academic advisor before enrollment.16
Closure 4
Thesis
Graduate Project
Capstone Closure
Total Hours40