Graduates of this program will integrate technical and scientific expertise in a social-political-natural context to provide effective environmental policy and management solutions. This program will provide such an integrative background and develop the communications, organizational, and policy skills students must have to practically implement scientific and technical findings.

This program is designed as a 2 year, coursework centered, terminal practice-oriented Master’s degree. As a Plan II Master of Science, the degree requires 42 units of graduate (200 series) or upper division (100 series) courses. A minimum of 18 units must be graduate courses in the major field. A comprehensive final exam is required for successful graduation. Neither research nor a thesis is required.

This degree emphasizes experiential learning for students that carry a scientific background into the program. There are seven elements to the degree program: the environmental policy analysis courses (12 units; graded); quantitative analysis elective (3 units; graded); law, management and administration requirements (7 units, graded); the policy clinic (8 units; graded); professional development seminar (3 units; S/U only), elective (3 units) and a practicum (6 units, graded).