Environmental Science and Policy, MS

Overview

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The future of the planet is at stake: we must challenge convention

Right now, communities across the globe are facing existential threats to their ecosystems, with dire consequences for their health and wellbeing. The convergent challenges of toxic pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change undermine our food, water, health, and energy systems, deepening social and economic inequities.

At Clark University, we are not daunted by these challenges - our creativity and resolve are inspired by them. Our Master of Science degree in Environmental Science & Policy will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make a difference.

A distinctive approach to address environmental challenges

The Environmental Science & Policy program will prepare you to enact just and sustainable solutions through collaboration and experiential learning. Our students learn by working alongside those most impacted by social and ecological inequities.

Grounded in rigorous environmental science, you will learn how to integrate diverse forms of knowledge, forge meaningful partnerships, and catalyze change in systems and structures.

Chart a just and sustainable future

Our curriculum focuses on the interaction between environmental knowledge, governance, and justice. You will learn to navigate and influence the complex governance structures that shape decision-making at local, national, and international scales. Internships, studio courses, and field work provide real-world experiences and insights.

STEM Designated Program. If you are an international student with an MS in Environmental Science and Policy, you may be eligible to work in the US for up to 36 months on Optional Practical Training (OPT).

 

Course of Study

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The master’s degree in ES&P requires 10 graduate course units. Students will take the following:

Core Courses (2 units), SustainabilityStudies (1 unit), Social Change and Institutional Transformation (1 unit), Fundamental Skills (2 units), Methods of Inquiry and Subject Matter Electives (2 units), Intersectionality (.5 - 1 unit), Common Seminar (.5 unit) and one Experiential Learning unit.

As a small, vibrant interdisciplinary research university, Clark strongly encourages its students to take advantage of the courses offered within SSJ, as well as associated departments: Geography, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Economics and Management.

 

ES&P Program Requirements

 

The two core courses provide ES&P graduate students with a common academic foundation in science, policy, and integration of the two:

• SSJ 30287 - Fundamentals of Environmental Science  . Required. This foundation science class gives students the literacy and skills needed to understand the science behind environmental problems that affect us all: water pollution; air pollution; environmental health risks; population growth and the over-exploitation of natural resources. It also strengthens math skills and quantitative ability. Principles from science (especially Physics and Chemistry), as well as mathematical tools, are used to address two main types of environmental problem: a) problems of pollution; and b) problems of natural resource over-exploitation

AND EITHER

• SSJ 30118 - Science Meets Policy in the Real World  . Option. This workshop-style course explores the intersection of science and policy using case studies. Real-world problems are inherently complex: this course considers how to better understand such problems from multiple perspectives, then use this knowledge to inform how society may respond in the form of policies, programs, projects and practices.

OR

• SSJ 31218 - Environmental Governance and Justice  . Option.This course explores the principles, structures, and practices of environmental governance at various levels, from local to global with a focus on justice and equity. Students will examine the role of governments, non-governmental organizations, and community stakeholders in shaping environmental policies and regulations. Students will also learn how to assess environmental governance through the lens of justice and ethics. The course is divided into three parts, covering concepts and frameworks, actors and stakeholders, and environmental governance case studies.

 

Sustainability Studies (select 1 unit)

• SSJ 367 - Climate Change Adaptation  
• SSJ 365 - Cities, Regions, Climate Change & Health  
• SSJ 332 - Sustainable Development Assessment and Planning  
• SSJ 334 - Planning and Zoning for Community Developers  
• SSJ 30701 - Beyond the Population Bomb: Rethinking Population and The Environment in an Era of Climate Change  
• SSJ 30245 - Natural Resource Management  
• SSJ 30205 - Climate Change, Energy and Development  
• SSJ 30117 - Place-Based Ecological Knowledge  

 

Social Change and Institutional Transformation (select 1 unit)

• SSJ 3xx - Climate Change and Social Justice
• SSJ 30297 - Refugees, Forced Migration, and Belonging  
• SSJ 341 - Nongovernment Organizations: Catalysts for Development  
• SSJ 309 - Policy Analysis  
• SSJ 30115 - Community Power, Community Change  
• SSJ 30247 - Development Economics, its Discontents and Alternatives  
• SSJ 30101 - The Political Economy of Food and the Ethics of Eating  

 

Fundamental Skills (select 2 units)

• Project Management
  • SSJ 361 - Project Management for Social Change  
• Monitoring and Evaluation
  • SSJ 319 - Quantitative Methods and Statistics For Evaluators  
  • SSJ 30281 - Community Needs and Resource Analysis  
  • SSJ 30229 - Program Monitoring and Evaluation Fundamentals  
  • SSJ 30203 - Program Evaluation for Youth and Community Development Initiatives  
• Spatial Analysis
  • SSJ 388 - Advanced Vector GIS  
  • SSJ 376 - Spatial Database Development  
  • SSJ 310 - Intro to Geographic Information Science  
  • SSJ 30393 - Social Applications of GIS  
  • SSJ 30306 - GIS for International Development  
  • SSJ 30274 - Computer Programming for GIS  
  • SSJ 30262 - Web Mapping and Open Source GIS  
  • SSJ 302 - Python Programming  
• Organizational Change and Leadership
  • SSJ 335 - Strategies for Community Organizing  
  • SSJ 341 - Nongovernment Organizations: Catalysts for Development  
  • SSJ 345 - CDP Practice: Reflection and Deliberate Practice  
  • SSJ 31118 - Non Profit Resource Development  
  • SSJ 30296 - Nonprofit Management  

 

Methods of Inquiry and Subject Matter Electives (select 2 units)

• Research Methods and Design
  • SSJ 30291 - Qualitative Research Methods  
• Human Rights and Mobilities Inquiry
  • SSJ 347 - Human Rights Strategy, Tactics, and Practice  
  • SSJ 330 - Theory and Methods in Genocide and Human Rights Studies  
  • SSJ 30108 - Research Methods for Forced Migration  
• Climate Change and Justice Inquiry
  • SSJ 30334 - Special Topics   (Climate Narratives)
• Independent Research Options
  • SSJ 399 - Directed Study   
• Development
  • SSJ 395 - Culture, Environment, and Development  
  • SSJ 333 - Development Mgmt in Developing Countries  
  • SSJ 329 - Property and Community  
  • SSJ 30204 - Advanced Community Development Finance and Research  
  • SSJ 30112 - Housing Policy and Practice  
• Global and Community Health
  • SSJ 377 - Approaches to Global Health  
  • SSJ 308 - Health (in)Equity: Social Determinants and Policy Solutions  
• Refugees, Migrants, and Human Rights
  • SSJ 30235 - Trafficking: Globalization and Its Illicit Commodities  
  • SSJ 30231 - Humanitarian Assistances in Complex Emergencies/Disasters  
  • SSJ 30107 - Forced Migration and the City  
• Education, Youth, and Development
  • SSJ 314 - Education and Youth in a Global Context  
  • SSJ 340 - Fundamentals of Youth Work  
  • SSJ 30365 - Global Issues in Education  

 

Intersectionality (0.5 units)

• SSJ 31119 - Intersectional Justice Movements  

 

Common Seminar (0.5 units)

• SSJ 30180 - Principles and Ethics in Community Engagement  

 

Experiential Learning (select 1 unit)

• SSJ XXX - Environmental Knowledge, Justice, and Government Studio
• SSJ 398 - Internship  

12 Unit MA/MS Degree - Research or Practice Track Requirements

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 For the master’s degree requiring 12 graduate course units with the Research Option, students will take 12 courses in the following categories:

1. Two required core courses
2. One course each in Sustainability Studies, Social Change and Institutional Transformation, Fundamental Skills, Intersectional Analysis, Principles and Ethics in Community Engagement, and Experiential Learning
3. Three courses in Methods of Inquiry & Subject Matter Electives
4. Two units of substantive research, one directed study (SSJ 399 ) and one thesis course ( SSJ 397 ).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

For the master’s degree requiring 12 graduate course units with the Practice Option. Students will take 12 courses in the following categories:

1. Two required core courses
2. One course each in Sustainability Studies, Social Change and Institutional Transformation, Intersectional Analysis, and Principles and Ethics in Community Engagement
3. Two courses in Methods of Inquiry & Subject Matter Electives
4. Three courses in Fundamental Skills
5. Two units of Experiential Learning

Sustainability and Social Justice Program Faculty

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David Bell, Ed.D.

Ramón Borges-Méndez Ph.D
Nigel Brissett, Ph.D.
Cynthia Caron, Ph.D.

Timothy Downs D.Env.
Anita Fábos, Ph.D.
Jude Fernando, Ph.D.
Ellen Foley, Ph.D.
Denise Humphreys Bebbington Ph.D.

Eman Lasheen, Ph.D.
Ken MacLean, Ph.D.

Yelena Ogneva-Himmelberger Ph.D.
Margaret Post, Ph.D.
Laurie Ross, Ph.D.

Morgan Ruelle, Ph.D.