This is an archived copy of the 2018-2019 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uwgb.edu.

Environmental Policy and Administration Emphasis

Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy

Students who select the Environmental Policy and Administration emphasis may study the characteristics and operation of government institutions; organizational policy, design and evaluation; and substantive policies in regulation, environmental protection, science and technology, and energy and natural resources. Courses emphasize environmental problem analysis and planning, policy analysis and formulation, environmental law and implementation, program evaluation, statistical analysis and the application of social science research methods to environmental issues. Studies benefit from interaction with the Center for Public Affairs and the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity.

The Environmental Policy and Administration area of emphasis prepares students to:

  • identify and analyze policy-relevant problems of major importance;
  • collect, assess, and interpret policy-relevant data;
  • design, evaluate, and implement strategies and programs for addressing such problems; and
  • effectively communicate the results of policy analyses and evaluations to diverse audiences, including environmental scientists, policy makers, and the general public.

Graduates typically enter governmental agencies at the national, state or local level, or nonprofit organizations, where their work involves policy analysis, planning, or administration. Some prefer positions in legislative bodies, environmental organizations, or industry where administrative or analytical work is combined with politics, public relations, education or advocacy.

Environmental Policy and Administration (16-18 credits minimum)

Emphasis Prerequisites

Students who pursue Environmental Policy and Administration come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds such as economics, engineering, environmental planning, environmental policy, political science, public administration, sociology, or more traditional science disciplines. The appropriate undergraduate course preparation is dictated by the prerequisites for the courses to be included in a program of study and the thesis topic area. It would normally be expected that students would have the equivalent of one year of undergraduate course work in political science, public administration, or economics.

Required Courses - complete 6 credits:9
Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
Environmental Policy and Administration
Social Research Methods
Administrative Organizations and Processes - complete 3 credits:3
Organizational Theory and Behavior
Intergovernmental Relations
Administrative Law
Environmental Law
Natural Resource Policy, Law, and Administration
Public and Nonprofit Budgeting
Public Policy - choose 3 credits:3
Economics of Sustainability
Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
Congress: Politics and Policy
Regulatory Policy and Administration
Environmental Planning
Water Resources Policy and Management
Environmental Law
Natural Resource Policy, Law, and Administration
Global Environmental Politics and Policy
Public Policy Analysis
Additional Courses3
Select any combination from the courses listed here or above.
Research Methods:
Environmental Data Analysis
Design of Experiments
Cost Benefit Analysis
Environmental Science
Hazardous and Toxic Materials
Ecology and Management of Ecosystems
Landscape Ecology
Environmental Technology and Analysis
Environmental Systems
Pollution Control
Pollution Prevention
Resource Management Strategy
Ground Water: Resources and Regulations
Environmental Planning and Geographic Information Systems:
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Seminar and Special Topics:
Seminar in Ecology and Evolution
Special Topics
Total Credits18