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Environmental and Energy Policy—MS, PhD

Human actions matter at a global scale. What role can you play in helping the human race learn to interact with Earth systems in ways that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially just? Can your policy-related research help support societal decisions and choices toward a sustainable society? Are you ready?

Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Overview

Study the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of environmental issues with a master's or doctorate degree program in environmental and energy policy. Dig into policies governing our use of the environment, including those that influence energy choices and natural resource management. Participate in research projects involving local watersheds and urban recycling programs or global supply chains and international treaties. Explore methods for facilitating decision-making processes that include citizens, scientists, policy analysts, legislators, business interests, and nonprofits.

Delivery Options
- Accelerated: MS
- On-Campus: MS, PhD

Environmental and Energy Policy Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the environmental and energy policy program at Michigan Tech.

On-Campus Programs

PhD Requirements: Environmental and Energy Policy

To complete a doctoral degree, students must complete the following milestones:

Complete all coursework and research credits (see credit requirements below)
Pass Qualifying Examination
Pass Research Proposal Examination
Prepare and Submit Approved Dissertation
Pass Final Oral Defense

The minimum credit requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Degrees	Credits
MS-PhD (minimum)	30 Credits
BS-PhD (minimum)	60 Credits

Individual programs may have higher standards and students are expected to know their program's requirements. See the Doctor of Philosophy Requirements website for more information about PhD milestones and related timelines.

MS, Environmental and Energy Policy: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Environmental and Energy Policy: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

Accelerated MS, Environmental and Energy Policy

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you.

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about environmental and energy policy at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Don Lafreniere

Graduate Assistant

Kathryn Hannum

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your environmental and energy policy MS or PhD. Sample areas include:

Environment and Public Policy
Natural Resource Management
Sustainability and Conservation

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

3 Letters of Recommendation
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
Writing Sample
Prerequisites: Environmental Sciences, Microeconomics, and Statistics
GRE not required

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of at least 100 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of at least 7.0

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Made starting on March 15 for the fall semester, November 15 for spring semester admissions.

Application Deadline

Fall Semester: January 15.
Spring Semester: September 15.
All accepted students are considered for financial support.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

2 Letters of Recommendation
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
Statement of Purpose
GRE not required
Prerequisites: Environmental Sciences, Microeconomics, and Statistics

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Work With

Faculty expertise is interdisciplinary and wide-ranging, from wind energy in Nepal to community-based recycling programs. As active scholars with funded research programs, our faculty have received numerous awards for publications and research and possess national and international reputations. Program faculty have expertise across issues of energy systems, forest resources, food sovereignty, among other environmental issues, particularly the social, legal, and political contexts influencing resource governance and access. Due to the small and focused nature of our program, faculty work with graduate students individually and intensively.

Where You'll Work

Our students get out from behind their desks and into the field. From mining issues in the Upper Midwest to the global impacts of climate change, you’ll apply what you learn to projects around the world. Many MS and PhD students are supported by graduate teaching and research assistantships. Their work takes them across the Americas and throughout Europe and Asia.

Faculty Spotlight

Nancy Langston

Nancy Langston
Professor,
Environmental History

"Solving environmental problems requires interdisciplinary tools."

The challenges facing Lake Superior are many, yet communities have overcome enormous threats to the lake’s ecosystems in the past. What can we learn from the recoveries of the past century as we face new, interconnected problems like climate change, synthetic chemicals, and forest change?

Program Faculty