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The M.A. Environmental Studies has an interdisciplinary focus encompassing the natural and social sciences.  This foundation is necessary for understanding the complex, cross-disciplinary problems faced today by environmental policy decision-makers. 

Students gain a thorough grounding in methods, applications, and natural sciences, in addition to a core of courses in common to the field.  Students may choose an emphasis, within fields including: human populations and their interactions with the environment; effectiveness of environmental analysis and protection institutions; and analysis and resolution of the pressing environmental issues faced by modern society.
We specialize in educating students in the application of scientific information to policy analysis and management decision-making. Environmental Studies finds a productive complement in the University's M.S. Environmental Science, a sibling degree program that emphasizes scientific research of the natural world. Environmental Studies students choose to partake of the same science-based courses taught by our experts in ecology, marine science, and environmental biology. Every student completes a thesis: a piece of independent scholarly research, in close collaboration with a faculty mentor, that makes an original contribution to the field.  

Who should consider this degree?

The Environmental Studies Masters Program prepares graduates students for careers and leadership positions in a variety of fields. Graduates will have advanced education that opens the doors to a wide range of career possibilities, such as:

• Environmental agencies of local, state, and federal government.
• Consulting firms who work with those agencies in assessing environmental programs, and with private firms who want to be good stewards toward the environment or want to evaluate their environmental impacts.
• Non-government organizations dedicated to protecting the environment, who need skills in assessing environmental systems, designing programs for environmental protection, and critical analysis of public policies.

Environmental Studies leads people into a growing and urgently needed field, with needs in the State of Florida and nationally.  The program is an effective terminal degree for seeking entry to these fields at a high career level. It also is an opportunity for advanced training to enhance the skills – and boost the careers – of current professionals. And, it is designed to serve as an entry-level research degree for those who wish to pursue studies at the doctoral level.