Environmental Studies
M.S. & M.P.S.

SUNY-ESF now offers two new graduate degrees: the Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Environmental Studies. For priority consideration, applications for admission in fall 2009 are due by February 1; separate applications for financial support are due by the same date.

About the Program

The Environmental Studies Graduate Program at SUNY-ESF is dedicated to preparing students to actively support local to global communities working to achieve sustainability. The program integrates social, cultural, and environmental knowledge and skills to address the challenges of the 21st century. Students in this program want to make a difference. Our program offers students a focused, yet flexible, interdisciplinary understanding of environmental issues, the problems that underlie them, and the paths that lead to sustainablecommunities. The program facilitates student engagement with the study of fundamental cultural, social, political, technical, and economic forces that drive environmental degradation as well as the emerging approaches that can foster sustainability.

Coursework. Students in our program draw on the frameworks of social science, humanities, and natural science to enhance their critical, analytical, and communication skills. Coursework combines theoretical, practical, and applied approaches to engage areas such as environmental policy, environmental communication, sustainable communities, human behavior, collaborative governance, public participation, and environmental impact analysis.

Core Environmental Studies courses present its many disciplines and methodologies, and demonstrate its applicability to problem analysis, action, and the quest for sustainability. In addition to completing the core requirements, students may pursue a general program of study or emphasize a particular theme. A general program of study builds on the core and typically broadens it in multiple directions, providing a thorough preparation for diverse professional careers. A thematic focus builds additional competencies related to specialized academic and career goals. Suggested themes and lists of recommended courses will be available in the Environmental Studies graduate program handbook (forthcoming). Examples include conflict resolution, sustainable development, risk management, media and environmental journalism, watershed policy, and ecosystem-based management. For M.S. students, a thematic choice is the preferred -- though not required -- alternative, since it should strengthen substantive content knowledge in an area relevant to the thesis.

Plan of Study. Faculty work with individual students to develop a tailored plan of study to meet their specific goals. The plan of study is an opportunity for students to work out their learning, research and career objectives in narrative form and outline a sequence of courses and other learning experiences to help meet those objectives. The plan of study is also used by their major professor in order to provide effective advising on program, research, and internship choices. Guidelines for preparing the plan of study will be available in the Enviromental Studies graduate program handbook (forthcoming).

The Environmental Studies Graduate Program is intended to prepare students to address the emerging challenges of the environmental professions by enabling their abilities to critically investigate issues, analyze problems, and implement innovative approaches to environmental affairs and sustainability. As part of one of the world's foremost schools focused exclusively on environmental research and applications, the program is enhanced by SUNY-ESF's diverse expertise in the natural sciences and engineering, as well as by Syracuse University's extensive curriculum.

Degree Options. The Environmental Studies Graduate Program offers two degree options: the Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.). The requirements of each are outlined below. The M.P.S. and M.S. degrees may be completed in 1-1/2 to 2 years of full time study, respectively.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies M.S. degree program is a 37 credit hour experience focused on advanced academic scholarship and research related to environmental affairs and sustainability. This degree requires the completion of a Master's thesis. Details on thesis proposals and expectations will be available in the Enviromental Studies graduate program handbook (forthcoming). All students must present a Capstone Seminar during their final semester. If necessary, the distribution of required credits may be adjusted to take into account a student's prior academic work and background.

Core (12 credits)

All students take:

• EST 600. Foundations of Environmental Studies (3)

All students also take at least three of the following:

• EST 608. Environmental Advocacy Campaigns and Conflict Resolution (3)
• EST 612. Environmental Policy and Governance (3)
• EST 626. Concepts and Principles of Sustainable Development (3)
• EST 640. Environmental Thought and Ethics (3)
• EST 650. Environmental Perception and Human Behavior (3)

Research Methods (7 credits)

All students take:

• EST 797. Environmental Studies Seminar (1)
• Students are required to take the specific section of this seminar that deals with research proposal preparation.

All students also take two research methods courses, typically from the following list and typically to support their thesis research needs:

• APM 510. Statistical Analysis (3)
• APM 625. Introduction to Sampling Techniques (3)
• APM 630. Regression Analysis (3)
• APM 635. Multivariate Statistical Methods (3)
• CRS 602. Empirical Research in Social Communication (3)
• CRS 604. Qualitative Communication Research Methods (3)
• EST 604. Social Survey Research Methods for Environmental Issues (3)
• EST 605. Qualitative Methods (3)
• EST 702. Environmental and Natural Resource Program Evaluation (3)
• LSA 640. Research Methodology (3)
• PPA 721. Introduction to Statistics (3)
• PPA 722. Quantitative Aids for Policy Analysis (3)
• PSC 602. Public Policy Analysis (3)
• PSC 693. Introduction to Quantitative Political Analysis (3)
• PSC 694. Qualitative Political Analysis (3)
• SOC 614. Introduction to Qualitative Research (3)

Generalized / Thematic Area (12 credits)

All students take four courses--typically in a thematic area--in consultation with their major professor. The thematic area should be used to substantively prepare the student for thesis work. EST 898 and EST 899 may not be included as thematic area courses.

Thesis Research (6 credits)

All students with an approved thesis proposal take at least six credits of:

• EST 899. Master's Thesis Research

Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies M.P.S. degree program is a 39 credit hour experience focused on advanced academic scholarship and its application to environmental affairs and sustainability. This degree requires the completion of a synthesis experience which frequently, though not always, involves a professional internship. Details on internships and other synthesis options will be available in the Enviromental Studies graduate program handbook (forthcoming). All students must present a Capstone Seminar during their final semester. If necessary, the distribution of required credits may be adjusted to take into account a student's prior academic work and background.

Core (18 credits)

All students take:

• EST 600. Foundations of Environmental Studies (3)
• EST 608. Environmental Advocacy Campaigns and Conflict Resolution (3)
• EST 612. Environmental Policy and Governance (3)
• EST 626. Concepts and Principles of Sustainable Development (3)
• EST 640. Environmental Thought and Ethics (3)
• EST 650. Environmental Perception and Human Behavior (3)

Natural Sciences (3 credits)

All students take one natural science course. Typically this would be one of the following courses, though alternatives may be considered in consultation with the major professor.

• EFB 516 Ecosystems (3)
• EFB 518 Systems Ecology (4)
• EFB 523. Tropical Ecology (3)
• EFB 600. Toxic Health Hazards (4)
• EFB 611. Topics in Environmental Toxicology (3)
• EFB 623. Marine Ecology (5)

Research / Technical Methods (6 credits)

All students take two research or technical methods courses, typically from the following list and typically to support their learning objectives:

• APM 635. Multivariate Statistical Methods (3)
• EFB 519. Geographic Modeling (3)
• ERE 550. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
• EST 550. Environmental Impact Analysis (3)
• EST 604. Social Survey Research Methods for Environmental Issues (3)
• EST 605. Qualitative Methods (3)
• EST 702. Environmental and Natural Resource Program Evaluation (3)
• FOR 556. Introduction to Raster GIS Analysis (3)
• FOR 557. Practical Vector GIS (3)
• FOR 558. Advanced Topics in GIS (3)
• LSA 500. Computer Graphics I (3)
• LSA 501. Computer Graphics II (3)
• LSA 552. Graphic Communication (3)
• LSA 640. Research Methodology (3)

Generalized / Thematic Area (6 credits)

All students take two courses in consultation with their major professor. The thematic area should be used to substantively prepare the student for capstone synthesis work. EST 898 and EST 899 may not be included as thematic area courses.

Synthesis (6 credits)

All students take the equivalent of two courses of:

• EST 798. Problems in Environmental Studies
• EST 898. Professional Experience

Admission Requirements

Entering students in both the M.S. and M.P.S. programs must demonstrate adequate preparation to engage in graduate studies. They are expected to have successfully completed at least the following undergraduate courses:

• One course in environmental policy or environmental communication;
• One course in general ecology; and
• One other environmental science course.

Students without these prerequisites may take them during their first year at ESF but the credits will not count toward degree requirements. Further undergraduate courses in sociology, political science, communication, economics, philosophy, and statistics, are recommended but not required.