MSES Core Competencies

The Masters of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) program requires 48 credit hours distributed among four sets of courses: 1) core science courses, 2) policy and management courses, 3) tool skill courses, and 4) the option of either a capstone or thesis. An experiential component is required during the summer.

MSES Core Competencies (15 credit hours):
Applied Ecology (E527)
Environmental Chemistry (E536)
Applied Math for Environmental Science (E526)
Statistics for Environmental Science (E538)
Environmental Engineering (E552) OR Energy Systems Engineering (E555)

Economics, Policy, and Law (6-12 credit hours):
Environmental Law (V645)
International Environmental Policy (E535)
Environmental Economics and Policy (V625)
Natural Resource Management and Policy (V643)
Environmental Management (E543)
Sustainable Development (V596)

Tool Skill Courses (3-9 credit hours):
Environmental Risk Analysis (E560)
Vector-based Geographic Information Systems (E518)
Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs (V507)
Benefit-cost Analysis of Public Environmental Policies (V541)

SPEA’s position as a nationally recognized program is partially accredited to the eminent curriculum. In order to earn an MSES degree, each student is expected to demonstrate several competencies, depending on his or her concentration. These competencies include:

Relevant natural and physical sciences
Economics, policy or law
Quantitative problem solving

A Curriculum Advisory Committee works with the student to ensure that these competencies are met and that the student is pursuing a suitable plan of study. This curriculum provides students with a general knowledge of environmental science and management, the tool skills to allow them to apply that knowledge, and a specialized area of expertise. If you are interested in earning an MSES degree from SPEA, visit our admissions page!