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"My
master's degree greatly contributed to both my GIS position and my decision
to attend law school. The critical thinking and writing skills I took
away from graduate school have already proven very beneficial as a first-year
law student."
—Melissa
Hornyak
MS, Environmental Policy 2001
Cooley Law School
Environmental Law Specialist
The
Degree
The Master of Science in Environmental Policy is a professional
degree. Therefore, in your course of study, you will learn various concepts,
strategies, and techniques for addressing contemporary environmental problems.
The curriculum also strengthens your analytical skills and conceptual
understanding of environmental issues and policies. As a result, many
of our students have gone on to PhD or law programs. The faculty pays
careful attention to your preparation for success as an environmental
professional or researcher.
Degree
Requirements
The MS in Environmental Policy requires 32 semester credits.
- At least
12 in nonthesis credit courses at or above the graduate (5000) level.
- No more
than 12 credits at the undergraduate (3000-4000) level.
The
program typically involves two years at Michigan Tech. During the first
year, you take 16 credits of required courses covering environmental policies,
decision making, and citizen participation. Most of the second year is
devoted to concentration courses and to the project or thesis.
 Concentration
(6–9 credits)
In the second year, you and your graduate committee identify two courses
(thesis option) or three courses (project option) that provide further
depth in some aspect of environmental policy or related skills and techniques.
The electives you choose, drawn from across the University, will be based
on your particular skills and interests. For example, you might choose
to concentrate in resource management, policy and regulation, environmental
technologies, pollution, or environmental communication.
Project
or Thesis (3–6 credits)
Much of the second year is devoted to your project or thesis, which will
be completed under the supervision of your advisor and graduate committee.
A master’s project (3 credits) involves applying your skills to
a real-world environmental problem. If you choose to write a
thesis (6 credits), you will perform original research related to an environmental
policy issue that interests you.
Practical Experience
Our Environmental Decision-Making class provides practical experience
that prepares you for future professional work. The class involves studying
and contributing to the decision-making process surrounding an environmental
issue. Here are some examples of topics addressed in past decision-making
classes.
Outreach
and Analysis for the Ottawa National Forest—This class
designed educational programs and conducted socioeconomic analyses for
the Ottawa National Forest.
Development
of a Community Guide for a Refinery—This group of
students worked to improve the regulatory interface between industry,
government agencies, and the public. They developed a community guide
to a local oil refinery that could serve as a model for similar guides
in other communities.
Assessment
of a Local Recycling Program—This class assessed the
effectiveness of an existing recycling program and recommended ways to
strengthen it.
For
more information, contact
Graduate Director, Environmental Policy
Social Sciences, 209 Academic Office Building
Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
Telephone 906-487-2824
E-mail kehalvor@mtu.edu
http://www.ss.mtu.edu/ep |
