MA in Global Environmental Policy

In the Global Environmental Policy MA program students explore the causes of environmental degradation and the social, cultural, economic and political mechanisms that advance environmental protection. This interdisciplinary program builds a foundation in global environmental policy by integrating the study of environmental politics with natural science and economics.

During this two-year program, students master theoretical and conceptual frameworks for analyzing environmental problems, gain experience in the practice of policy formation and implementation, and develop research, writing and professional communication skills to enable them to participate in the global environmental policy process.

Recent graduates have undertaken career tracks in government agencies, non-governmental organizations, multilateral lending institutions, environmental activist groups, consulting firms, and for-profit entities.

The Global Environmental Policy program is comprised of courses in global policy studies, environmental science, economics, international environmental politics, and environmental law. The policy component includes both classroom and experiential learning opportunities that build a strong foundation in the legal and political dimensions of policy formation and implementation. The natural science component consists of a two-semester sequence of environmental science courses in which students study the biophysical dimensions of environmental challenges. The economics component aims to provide a general overview of economic theory plus a specific awareness of the relationships among economics, natural resources, and the environment. Elective courses drawn from a rich selection of offerings permit students to deepen their expertise in particular areas of global environmental policy.

Depth of knowledge is ensured through the relatively small size of the Global Environmental Policy program and the fact that most classes are seminars, providing frequent opportunity for student-faculty interchange. As students proceed through the Program, they work closely with individual faculty members to develop their own substantive area of interest.

Degree Requirements

• 39 credit hours of approved graduate course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00, including 21 credit hours in the core, 3 credit hours in social science research methodology, and 6 credit hours of research

Requests for the transfer of a maximum of 6 graduate credit hours from other accredited institutions to be applied to a master's degree are considered after successful completion of 9 credit hours in the graduate program at American University. A minimum grade of B in each course is required for transfer. Transfer courses must have been completed within seven years of admission and must fulfill stated requirements of the degree program.

• Comprehensive examination; a maximum of two attempts is permitted.
• Demonstration of research and writing skills through completion of a master's thesis or substantial research paper requirement. All courses taken to fulfill this requirement must be passed with a grade of B or better.

Thesis: 6 credit hours of thesis credit and submission of the thesis

Substantial research paper requirement: one 3 credit hour internship or cooperative education field experience and one 3 credit hour substantial research paper, or two substantial research papers.

• Proficiency in a modern foreign language

Research competence in English and another language relevant to the student's career objectives must be certified.

Course Requirements

Core (21 credit hours)

Theory (6 credit hours)

• SIS-660 Environment and Politics (3)
• One of the following:

LAW-618 International Environmental Law (3)

SIS-620 Studies in Global Environmental Politics (3) (topics)

SIS-649 Environment and Development (3)

Economics (6 credit hours)

• ECON-579 Environmental Economics (3)
• ECON-500 Microeconomics (3) or

ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory (3)

Science (6 credit hours)

• ENVS-580 Environmental Science I: A Quantitative Approach (3)
• ENVS-581 Environmental Science II: A Quantitative Approach (3)

Research Methodology (3 credit hours)

• One of the following:

CSC-610 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)

PUAD-601 Methods of Problem Solving I (3)

SIS-600 Quantitative Analysis in International Affairs (3)

An approved methods course

Capstone (3 credit hours)

• SIS-663 Washington Workshop: Advanced Studies and Research in Environmental Policy (3)

Area of Concentration (9 credit hours)

• 9 credit hours in a focused area selected in consultation with advisor

Research Requirement (6 credit hours)

• SIS-797 Master’s Thesis Supervision (6)

or

Substantial research paper requirement

Study Abroad

Combined Bachelor’s Degree and M.A. in Global Environmental Policy

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its accelerated bachelor’s/master’s programs. Undergraduate students may complete up to 3 credits for every 9 credits required for the graduate degree that may be applied to the requirements for both degree programs. The department that oversees the graduate program the student enters will determine if the courses the undergraduate student completes will satisfy master’s degree requirements. Bachelor’s/master’s students must complete at least 18 in-residence credit hours at the graduate level after the bachelor’s degree is earned and maintain continuous, sequential enrollment in the two programs.

This program enables highly qualified students to earn a B.A. or B.S. in any discipline and an M.A. in Global Environmental Policy.

Requirements

• Undergraduates should apply for admission to the combined program by the end of the junior year. At a minimum, students must have an overall grade point average of 3.00, a year of laboratory science (BIO-110/210 General Biology I/II, CHEM-110/210 General Chemistry I/II, PHYS-105/205 College Physics I/II or PHYS-110/210 University Physics I/II), and a year of calculus (MATH-221/222, MATH-211/212). Applications must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission to the combined program. Students should discuss their interest in the program with the environmental studies coordinator before submitting an application.
• All requirements for a bachelor’s degree in the student’s major at American University

Undergraduate students may apply up to 12 credit hours of approved graduate-level course work to satisfy the requirements for both degrees. ENVS-580 Environmental Science I and ENVS-581 Environmental Science II are recommended.

• All requirements for the M.A. in Global Environmental Policy, including a minimum of 18 credit hours completed in residence in graduate status after the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Students must finish the master’s degree requirements within three years from the date of first enrollment in the master’s program.

Prerequisites

Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor's degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.00 scale). Students who do not meet these minimum requirements, if otherwise admissible, may be assigned additional course work in excess of degree requirements specified at the time of admission. Students should normally have several years of professional or practical experience. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. International applicants whose degree was not conducted in English and/or whose native language is not English are required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum TOEFL score for full consideration is 600 (250 on the computer version). Fall applicants should plan to take the appropriate test no later than December to ensure full consideration of the application by the January deadline.

All applicants must submit two letters of reference evaluating undergraduate academic performance and suitability for graduate study in international affairs, at least one of which should be from an academic source. A resume should be included in the application. Applicants must submit transcripts from all institutions attended. Cultural factors are considered in evaluating transcripts and examination results.

The application deadline for fall admission is January 15; for spring admission October 1 (September 15 for international students). Admitted students may defer matriculation for no longer than two semesters provided that a written request for deferment is submitted to and approved by the SIS Graduate Admissions Office.