Coursework Requirements and Guidelines

The PhD degree requires a minimum of sixty (60) total graduate credit hours (ESF policy). A total of forty-eight (48) hours in graduate coursework are required, of which twenty-four (24) credit hours must be taken in residence at ESF. In addition, PhD students must complete at least twelve (12) credit hours of thesis research credit (FOR 999 or ENS 999: Doctoral Dissertation, corresponding to the departmental affiliation of your major professor). You will develop your program of study to satisfy the coursework requirements in consultation with your major professor and steering committee.

Coursework should provide a coherent body of theory, a set of appropriate methods to test that theory, and should focus on an important area of application beyond the specific work done for the graduate degree (see handbook for further guidance in coursework).

In addition to the general graduate requirements set by the College (see the College Catalog, available at www.esf.edu/catalog), ENRP Area of Study has established the following specific requirements:

Core Competencies

The PhD in Environmental and Natural Resources Policy is offered by faculty in both FNRM and the Faculty of Environmental Studies. The requirements are identical. Doctoral students are expected to be able to integrate the biophysical sciences and policy-related social sciences toward a greater understanding and resolution of important problems in environmental and natural resources policy.

All students in the ENRP Ph.D. Area of Study are required to complete coursework to meet the following four competencies: biophysical science, policy-related social science, research methods, and advanced natural resource and environmental policy. Twelve (12) credit hours of coursework are required in each competency, as follows.

• Biophysical Science – 12 credit hours in at least 500 level courses in a definable area of biophysical science competency, (e.g., forest science, wetlands, conservation biology, water resources).
• Policy-related Social Science – 12 credit hours of 600 or higher level policy-related social science courses, including at least one government course and one economics course
• Research Methods – 12 credit hours of 600 or higher level courses in research methods, including a general research methods course (required), and other methods courses (e.g., qualitative research methods, quantitative methods, GIS, spatial statistics.)
• Advanced Natural Resource and Environmental Policy – 12 credit hours at the 700 level in policy analysis, program evaluation, and two additional courses

The ENRP Course Distribution Form (PDF, html version) must be attached to your 3B Form for approval by the ENRP Coordinator to show how your proposed courses meet the competency requirements.

Seminars

All students must take two 797-type topical seminars offered by any ESF Faculty or Syracuse University Department.