2025-2026 Academic Catalog 
    
    Jun 27, 2025  
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2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Environmental Science and Policy, MS Accelerated 4+1

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Overview

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).

The Accelerated BA/MS Program in ES&P offers intense graduate-level study, using a liberal arts BA degree as the springboard.

Eligibility Requirements

Students in any undergraduate field are eligible to apply for the BA/MS degree, though Environmental Science (ES) undergraduate majors have a significant advantage in preparation. Majors in other disciplines are required to take the preparatory courses listed below:

Requirements for non-ES, non-science majors:

  • One introductory ES&P course: e.g. EN 101  or EN 120  
  • One semester of statistics: e.g. GEOG 110  or BIOL 106  
  • One introductory science course from the following list: BIOL 101  ; BIOL 102  ; CHEM 101  ; CHEM 102  ;PHYS 110  ; PHYS 111  
  • Two elective science courses, chosen from the list of Science electives for the ES&P track in the undergraduate ES major or from the list of Natural Science electives for the undergraduate GES major.

Requirements for non-ES, science majors:

  • Two social science courses from the list of social science electives for the  ES&P track in the undergraduate ES major.

Students are required to meet with the ES&P 4+1 Program advisor prior to April 1 as a formal part of the admissions process. This meeting is intended to assist prospective students in assessing the appropriateness of the degree to their professional aspirations. The student applies to the MS program by completing the Online Application no later than April 15 of the junior year. Please note that application deadlines differ for students who are graduating off cycle (either a semester early or late) or who have advanced standing; such students should contact Graduate Admissions for alternative dates.

Program Adviser

In the Junior year, students applying to the BA/MS Program are required to meet with the designated program adviser and have them sign the 4+1 Program Adviser Form. The signed form confirms the student and program adviser have discussed the requirements of the program. This form is also available on the Graduate Admissions website. 

The designated program adviser is:

Professor Cynthia Caron
SSJ Department
ccaron@clarku.edu
508-793-8879

*Once you have started your MS year, you may be assigned a different faculty advisor.

Any students considering applying to the 4+1 Program should read and understand the Eligibility Requirements and Policies.

Fees

This program is eligible for up to 100% tuition remission rate for a student’s fifth year graduate program.  There is a one-time program fee in the first semester of graduate study.  The student continues to be responsible for paying other enrollment and activity fees as well as their housing, books and personal items.  Tuition and fees are set annually by the Board of Trustees.

For those working to complete their research-based 10th unit beyond the MS year, there is a $200 fee (per semester) for non-residency status registration.

Program of Study

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

Core Courses (2 units), Sustainability Studies (1 unit), Social Change and Institutional Transformation (1 unit), Fundamental Skills (2 units), Methods of Inquiry and Subject Matter Electives (2 units), Intersectionality (0.5 units), Common Seminar (0.5 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.

 

Program Requirements

Sustainability and Social Justice Program Faculty

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.

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