Master’s program in Environmental Science and Policy
12 October 2020
Columbia University’s Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy program is seeking talented prospective students, who are dedicated to taking on some of the world’s greatest challenges. I would like to share with you some of the unique aspects of the program!
The program represents a partnership between Columbia’s acclaimed Earth Institute, including the internationally renowned Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and the highly ranked School of Public and International Affairs. Nearly twenty years after its creation, it remains unique in anchoring the study of policy analysis and management in an understanding of basic applied environmental science.
By integrating science with environmental policy and management, the program provides students the practical knowledge and training to become leaders in the rapidly growing area of sustainability. The program’s visionary curriculum emphasizes applied environmental science and sustainability, general and financial management, economics and quantitative analysis, and policy and decision making so that students can thrive in the job market. Graduates hold key positions in important organizations worldwide in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Courses are taught by the world’s foremost sustainability academics and researchers, along with leading sustainability practitioners in New York City. Graduates transform how organizations do business by formulating and implementing innovative and comprehensive environmental long-term strategies. They know how to design and implement sustainability initiatives that are methodologically rigorous, effective, and equitable, within the constraints of available resources.
The one-year format of the program saves students time and money, allowing them to return to the workforce more quickly than two-year public policy programs. During the year, students acquire the practical skills that are required of effective leaders: fostering and managing organizational innovation, optimizing group work and dealing with group conflict, managing the work of scientists, and communicating science to non-scientists. Graduates also understand the relationship of sustainability programs to organizational management and management to finance.
The application deadlines are November 1 (early decision); January 15 (fellowship consideration); and February 15 (final). All students who apply by January 15, 2020 are eligible for partial fellowships. BIPOC students who apply by this deadline will be considered for the Dean’s Fellowship – a full tuition grant and internship –and for numerous other partial fellowships.
