Master of Arts in Environmental Resource Policy

 

Two TSPPPA ENRP students and two older adults all wearing hard hats and standing in front of a DC Water sign

 

The Master of Arts in Environmental Resource Policy (MA-ENRP) at the Trachtenberg School offers a multidisciplinary approach to environmental and sustainability studies. This STEM program prepares students to enter environmental policy careers in government, nonprofit organizations, the private sector and environmental advocacy groups.

Students begin the program by taking a specialized, two-semester course in environmental sciences, which provides a solid grounding in the scientific side of environmental and resource policy.

The program culminates in a capstone project, during which students collaborate in small groups on a pro bono product for a client of their choice. 

 

 

Program Highlights 

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Multidisciplinary

The ENRP curriculum draws on disciplines including environmental economics, environmental law, public policy, research methods and a two-semester environmental science course. This STEM program teaches students to craft policy using science-based evidence, understand economic incentives and develop a clear-eyed understanding of environmental law and politics.

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Practical and Theoretical

The curriculum blends theory and practical experience, culminating in a professional, client-oriented capstone project based on a real-world environmental policy issue. Through group work, students gain experience collaborating on environmental policy issues.

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Tailored to You

Master's students can customize their coursework around the required core curriculum by choosing electives from virtually any academic department in the Columbian College. Additionally, GW offers courses at consortium partner schools including American University, George Mason University and Georgetown University.

 

MA-ENRP Course Requirements

The MA-ENRP curriculum consists of 36 credit hours. Full-time students typically complete the MA-ENRP in two years. Part-time students complete the degree in three to four years. The MA-ENRP program is available at the George Washington University's Foggy Bottom campus in downtown Washington, D.C. It is not available as a distance-learning program.

Students complete a common core and select elective coursework in a field of study tailored to their unique interests and career objectives. Other core requirements provide the broad intellectual base and tools necessary for making multidisciplinary environmental and resource decisions.

Note: Students who feel that their prior undergraduate coursework duplicates one of the core requirements may seek a waiver of the requirement. If approved, an elective course can be taken instead. All core courses and most electives are three credits.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

36 credits, including 24 credits in required courses and 12 credits in elective courses.

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 36 credits, including 24 credits in required courses and 12 credits in elective courses.

Required
ECON 6237Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources
ENRP 6101Environmental Sciences I: Physical Sciences
ENRP 6102Environmental Sciences II: Life Sciences
PPPA 6002Research Methods and Applied Statistics
PPPA 6006Policy Analysis
PPPA 6007Microeconomics for Public Policy I *
PPPA 6140Introduction to Environmental Law
PPPA 6198Environmental Resource Policy Capstone
or PPPA 6008 MPA/MPP Capstone
Electives
12 credits of approved elective drawn from a number of departments throughout the University.

*Students who previously completed required courses may be allowed to substitute additional elective courses with program approval. Students may substitute PPPA 6017, PPPA 6014, or ECON 6217 for PPPA 6007.