Academic Information
Program Missions
The Master of Environmental and Sustainabillity Studies (MES) program provides students with an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of environmental problems without sacrificing the training rigor of a specific academic discipline. The interdisciplinary emphasis is established through a carefully designed set of required courses that provide students with an understanding of environmental issues. The MES curriculum addresses these issues by teaching students the principles of scientific research, by giving students the tools to evaluate the potential environmental risks, and by helping students examine the role of public policy in environmental decision making.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) mission is to prepare public service leaders. Upon graduation MPA students will have the ability to think critically and creatively about public issues, the dedication and capacity to serve a diverse community and the skills to enter a professional position in a public organization. To accomplish this mission, the MPA program provides the following:
- A rigorous core curriculum that examines the theoretical underpinnings of public service and provides concentrated areas of study in arts management, environmental policy, nonprofit management, and urban and regional planning;
- An environment that nurtures a commitment to service;
- Opportunities to support collaboration and the creation of partnerships among communities and public service organizations.
Degree Requirements
To earn the MES and MPA degrees separately, students would be required to complete at least 77 credit hours of coursework. The concurrent program allows students to earn both degrees in a condensed format - requiring a minimum of 60 credit hours. Each student is required to complete a set of core courses, a series of approved electives and an internship or thesis.
| Environmental and Sustainability Studies | Core Curriculum | Public Administration |
| EVSS 601 Economic Theory for Policy Analysis (3) | EVSS/PUBA 651 Research and Management in Environmental Organizations (3) | |
| EVSS/PUBA 602 Public Policy (3) | PUBA 600 Public Service Roles and Responsibilities (3) | |
| EVSS 611 Graduate Core Seminar (3) | PUBA 601 Research and Quantitative Methods for Public Administration (3) | |
| EVSS 624 Biometry (4) OR EVSS 659 Environmental Statistics (3) | PUBA 603 Managing Public Organizations (3) | |
| EVSS 541 OR 610 OR 640 OR 650 science core (3 or 4) | PUBA 604 Managing Human Resources (3) | |
| EVSS 632 Social Science Methods in Environmental Studies (3) | PUBA 605 Managing Financial Resources (3) | |
| EVSS 690 OR 691 Internships OR Thesis (6) | PUBA 701 Capstone Seminar (3) |
Total core – minimum 45 hours
Students then select elective courses from either program to fulfill the remaining hours to reach a minimum of 60 total credit hours. These elective courses should be selected with the input of their advisor.