MPA/MSES Dual Master's Degree Program

SPEA offers a one-of-a-kind dual master's program that provides both a Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) and Master of Public Affairs (MPA). This dual masters-degree program develops the advanced training of each individual masters degree, while exploiting the interdisciplinary linkages in SPEA's uniquely integrated program. The curriculum and research are distinguished by a vigorous interdisciplinary approach to education and problem-solving.

Why choose the MPA-MSES Dual Master's Degree Program at SPEA?

In the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings of graduate and professional programs in American and international schools, SPEA Bloomington ranked second. SPEA's MPA program is the highest-ranked public affairs program at a public institution and has the highest-ranked environmental policy program at any institution (public or private) in the USA. The dual-degree program combines two of SPEA's highly regarded programs to provide a distinctive and powerful curriculum.

Five Major Benefits of the MPA-MSES Dual Master's Degree Program

Flexibility

You can apply for the dual masters degree program before you arrive at SPEA or at any time after you are admitted to either the MSES or MPA degree program. This allows a broad array of curricular choices to meet your particular professional interest.

Cost-Effectiveness

Program integration allows most students to complete the two degrees in an average of 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 years. That is 1/2- 1-1/2 years less time than would be required to complete the two degrees independently.

Individualized Advising

You will have two principal advisors, an environmental scientist and a public policy analyst. These advisors will help you design a curriculum that reflects your interests and goals, oversee progress, and help you with job placement.

Outstanding Professional Training

You will be rigorously trained in environmental science, resource science, management, and public policy.

Outstanding Professional Success

Dual-degree graduates rapidly advance in an unusually diverse range of market niches because of the depth of science and policy offerings.

Careers

The outstanding professional success of SPEA's dual-degree graduates is one reason SPEA's environmental program has ranked #1 in the United States in the most recent U.S. News & World Report surveys. Recent graduates are now working in:

Environmental Protection Agency
Department of the Interior
U.S. Government Accountability Office
U.S. Bureau of Land Management

Other graduates have found careers in

State and local agencies
International organizations
Foreign governments
Non-governmental organizations
Environmental science and engineering consulting firms

The diverse list of employers is a testament to the flexibility students are given in pursuing their individual career objectives and the power of this dual degree program.

Dual Master's Degree Requirements

Dual master's degree students complete a 60-credit hour curriculum that includes core requirements from the MPA and MSES programs. Beyond these core requirements, joint students can pursue one of several concentration options:

Option 1: Any MPA Concentration plus 12 additional credit hours from the MSES curriculum

Students may pursue any MPA concentration or MSES concentration, plus a minimum number of courses from the other degree component. This option is for students who identify themselves as primarily policy-oriented, but with a strong complementary interest in science.

Option 2: Any MSES Concentration plus 9 additional credit hours from the MPA curriculum

This option is for students who identify themselves as primarily science-oriented, but with a strong complementary interest in policy.

Option 3: Specialized Concentration (21 credit hours)

In conjuction with a faculty advisor, dual MPA/MSES students may design a "specialized" concentration. This means that a student may select four MES courses from one or more MSES concentrations, along with three MPA courses from one of the MPA concentrations.

Option 4: Any "Dual MPA/MSES Only" Concentration

Students may choose one of two concentrations unique to the dual degree program, 1) Environmental Management or 2) Environmental Systems Analysis and Modeling. These concentrations are designed to integrate science and policy components, allowing students to exploit synergies among environmental science, public management, and policy analysis.

For more information regarding degree requirements and the dual degree curriculum, visit the 2011-2012 Graduate Student Bulletin.