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- Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making, Master of Arts
Overview
This program will begin fall 2020.
Sustainability is a growing field in both the public and private sectors. The Master of Arts in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making at St. John’s University will prepare you for opportunities in a rapidly evolving global community that spans the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
This professional master’s degree program, which is grounded in St. John’s Vincentian Mission, combines science and policy, helps you acquire the skills you need to solve today’s complex environmental sustainability problems. Environmental catastrophes disproportionately affect poor people in underdeveloped regions. As a graduate of the M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making, you will be a leader in addressing social injustice and its impact around the world.
Contact
Laura Schramm, Ph.D.
Professor, Biological Sciences
(718) 990-5558
[email protected]
Admission
The M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making is designed to provide students with undergraduate degrees in the natural and physical sciences, social sciences, political science, and humanities with the opportunity to expand their career options to the field of environmental sustainability. We also encourage prospective students with minors in these disciplines to apply.
Applicants must present a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, as well as 3.0 or better in the major discipline. No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.
Applications received by March 1 will receive priority review. Qualified applications received after March 1 will be considered based on available space in the program.
Graduate Admission Information
Office of Graduate Admission
718-990-1601
[email protected]
Courses
The M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making offers both a 33-credit non-thesis option and a 30-credit thesis option. The program’s culminating experience includes a choice of a capstone project, comprehensive examination, or thesis, which you will select in consultation with your advisor.
The program offers two concentrations, allowing you to design a curriculum that best fits your individual interests and career goals. Both concentrations—science and policy—combine training in core environmental science topics with coursework designed to train leaders in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making.
In addition to the required capstone project, thesis, or comprehensive examination, you also have the option of completing an internship or independent study to enhance your research and professional development.
Requirements
ENV 005 | Colloquia | 0 credits |
|---|---|---|
ENV 101 | Environmental Principles | 3 credits |
ENV 102 | Methods of Environmental Analysis & Sustainability | 3 credits |
Statistics (Choose One) | ||
PAS 252 | Biostatistics | 3 credits |
PSY 603 | Inferential Statistics | 3 credits |
SOC/CRM 127; 127L | Statistics for Social Science | 3 credits |
Research Methods (Choose One) | ||
BIO 248 | Biotechniques | 3 credits |
CHE 101 | Instrumental Methods of Analysis | 3 credits |
PSY 604 | Psychology Laboratory | 3 credits |
Electives (Choose From Among the Following) | ||
BIO 299 | Scientific Literacy and Integrity | 3 credits |
CHE 101 | Instrumental Methods of Analysis | 3 credits |
CHE 200 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 credits |
CHE 202 | Separation Techniques in Chemistry | 3 credits |
ENV 200 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 credits |
ENV 201 | Current Topics in Waste Management | 3 credits |
MPH 316 | Global Environmental Sustainability & Health | 3 credits |
TOX 216 | Environmental and Occupational Toxicology | 3 credits |
TOX 285 | Environmental Health Sciences | 3 credits |
Internship (Optional) | ||
ENV 350 | Internship I | 3 credits |
ENV 351 | Internship II | 3 credits |
Independent Study (Optional) | ||
CHE 260 | Independent Study | 3 credits |
ENV 352 | Special Research I | 3 credits |
ENV 353 | Special Research II | 3 credits |
Thesis Research (3-6 Credits) | ||
ENV 900 | Master’s Thesis Research | 3 credits |
ENV 105T | Master’s Thesis Defense | 0 credits |
Required
ENV 005 | Colloquia | 0 credits |
|---|---|---|
ENV 101 | Environmental Principles | 3 credits |
ENV 102 | Methods of Environmental Analysis & Sustainability | 3 credits |
Statistics (Choose One) | ||
PAS 252 | Biostatistics | 3 credits |
PSY 603 | Inferential Statistics | 3 credits |
SOC/CRM 127; 127L | Statistics for Social Science | 3 credits |
Research Methods (Choose One) | ||
BIO 248 | Biotechniques | 3 credits |
CHE 101 | Instrumental Methods of Analysis | 3 credits |
PSY 604 | Psychology Laboratory | 3 credits |
Electives (Choose From Among the Following) | ||
BIO 299 | Scientific Literacy and Integrity | 3 credits |
CHE 101 | Instrumental Methods of Analysis | 3 credits |
CHE 200 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 credits |
CHE 202 | Separation Techniques in Chemistry | 3 credits |
ENV 200 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 credits |
ENV 201 | Current Topics in Waste Management | 3 credits |
MPH 316 | Global Environmental Sustainability & Health | 3 credits |
TOX 216 | Environmental and Occupational Toxicology | 3 credits |
TOX 285 | Environmental Health Sciences | 3 credits |
Internship (Optional) | ||
ENV 350 | Internship I | 3 credits |
ENV 351 | Internship II | 3 credits |
Independent Study (Optional) | ||
CHE 260 | Independent Study | 3 credits |
ENV 352 | Special Research I | 3 credits |
ENV 353 | Special Research II | 3 credits |
Comprehensive Examination or Capstone Project | ||
ENV 105 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 credits |
ENV 354 | Capstone | 3 credits |
Required
ENV 005 | Colloquia | 0 credits |
|---|---|---|
ENV 101 | Environmental Principles | 3 credits |
ENV 102 | Methods of Environmental Analysis & Sustainability | 3 credits |
Statistics (Choose One) | ||
PSY 603 | Inferential Statistics | 3 credits |
SOC/CRM 127; 127L | Statistics for Social Science | 3 credits |
Research Methods (Choose One) | ||
GOV 205 | Modern Political Research | 3 credits |
PSY 604 | Psychology Laboratory | 3 credits |
Electives (Choose From Among the Following) | ||
ENV 200 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 credits |
ENV 201 | Current Topics in Waste Management | 3 credits |
GOV 146 | American Governmental Process: The Legislature | 3 credits |
GOV 156 | Global Environmental Politics | 3 credits |
GOV 198 | American Political Parties and Interest Groups | 3 credits |
GOV 212 | Global Energy Politics and Policy | 3 credits |
GOV 218 | Public Policy – American | 3 credits |
GOV 275 | Green Political Theory | 3 credits |
MGD 130 | Impact of International Organizations in Global Development | 3 credits |
MGD 172 | Project Management and Nongovernment Organizations | 3 credits |
Internship (Optional) | ||
ENV 350 | Internship I | 3 credits |
ENV 351 | Internship II | 3 credits |
Independent Study (Optional) | ||
CHE 260 | Independent Study | 3 credits |
ENV 352 | Special Research I | 3 credits |
ENV 353 | Special Research II | 3 credits |
Thesis Research (3-6 Credits) | ||
ENV 900 | Master’s Thesis Research | 3 credits |
ENV 105T | Master’s Thesis Defense | 0 credits |
Required
ENV 005 | Colloquia | 0 credits |
|---|---|---|
ENV 101 | Environmental Principles | 3 credits |
ENV 102 | Methods of Environmental Analysis & Sustainability | 3 credits |
Statistics (Choose One) | ||
PSY 603 | Inferential Statistics | 3 credits |
SOC/CRM 127; 127L | Statistics for Social Science | 3 credits |
Research Methods (Choose One) | ||
GOV 205 | Modern Political Research | 3 credits |
PSY 604 | Psychology Laboratory | 3 credits |
Electives (Choose From Among the Following) | ||
ENV 200 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 credits |
ENV 201 | Current Topics in Waste Management | 3 credits |
GOV 146 | American Governmental Process: The Legislature | 3 credits |
GOV 156 | Global Environmental Politics | 3 credits |
GOV 198 | American Political Parties and Interest Groups | 3 credits |
GOV 212 | Global Energy Politics and Policy | 3 credits |
GOV 218 | Public Policy – American | 3 credits |
GOV 275 | Green Political Theory | 3 credits |
MGD 130 | Impact of International Organizations in Global Development | 3 credits |
MGD 172 | Project Management and Nongovernment Organizations | 3 credits |
Internship (Optional) | ||
ENV 350 | Internship I | 3 credits |
ENV 351 | Internship II | 3 credits |
Independent Study (Optional) | ||
CHE 260 | Independent Study | 3 credits |
ENV 352 | Special Research I | 3 credits |
ENV 353 | Special Research II | 3 credits |
Comprehensive Examination or Capstone Project | ||
ENV 105 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 credits |
ENV 354 | Capstone | 3 credits |
Tuition and Financial Aid
Graduate Assistantships
St. John’s University offers competitive graduate assistantships to qualified full-time applicants. These positions typically include tuition remission and a stipend. Read more about Graduate Assistantships.
Graduate Financial Aid
Learn more about additional forms of financial aid available to St. John’s graduate students.
Career Outcomes
Sustainability is a growing field in both the private and public sectors, with job opportunities in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. As a graduate with an M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making, you will excel in the competencies and values required for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving global community, directly related to the vision and mission of St. John’s.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the job outlook for environmental scientists and specialists will grow by 11 percent (faster than average) through 2024. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identifies environmental Science as one of the top five projected highest paid mathematics and science majors at the master’s degree level. Coupled with projected growth in “green” jobs, this data shows that the M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making is a key opportunity for students interested in environmental sustainability.
Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural and social sciences to protect human and environmental health. Some act as researchers analyzing environmental problems and developing solutions. Others work at the policy level in governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Still others work in the private sector for consulting firms that help companies comply with regulations and policies.
Whether your focus is in science or policy, the M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making will help you develop the knowledge base, professional experience, and background in research to achieve your individual career goals.