MPA in Environmental Science and Policy Curriculum
Basic applied environmental science forms the foundation for the study of policy analysis and management. Courses emphasize the practical skills that sustainability professionals need to make a difference in the world.
Students learn to drive sustainability through the formulation of policy and the management of organizations. The STEM-designated program is unique in anchoring the study of sustainability policy and management in basic applied environmental science. The combination of science and policy makes for graduates who have a complex understanding of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability.
In the science component of the curriculum, students learn the fundamental science of earth systems and conservation biology, including their human dimensions. Students go on to learn applied microeconomics and applied regression analysis, which are required for policy formulation and analysis. They also learn the core aspects of management, including organizational analysis, budgeting and financial analysis, probability theory, and reporting. At the same time, students practice the work skills that are required to be problem-solving professionals: project management, teamwork, presentation, and memo and report writing.
Contact Us
Steven Cohen, Professor of Professional Practice
Director of the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy
sc32@columbia.edu
Maya Lugo
Assistant Director of the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy
mll2135@columbia.edu
Steven Cohen, Professor of Professional Practice in the Faculty of International and Public Affairs; Director of MPA-ESP
Rohit Aggarwala, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Howard Apsan, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Kathleen Callahan, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Steven Chillrud, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Robert Cook, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Anne 'Nancy' Degnan, Adjunct Assistant Professor of International and Public Affairs
Selcuk Eren, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Dong Guo, Professor of Professional Practice of International and Public Affairs
Lloyd Kass, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Rebecca Koike, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Ryshelle McCadney, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Michael Musso, Lecturer (part-time) of International and Public Affairs
Matthew Palmer, Senior Lecturer in Discipline
Rachel Patterson, Lecturer (part-time) of International and Public Affairs
Louise Rosen, Lecturer (part-time) of International and Public Affairs
Sara Tjossem, Senior Lecturer in Discipline of International and Public Affairs
Anyi Wang, Adjunct Assistant Professor of International and Public Affairs
Antoinette Wannebo, Lecturer (part-time) of International and Public Affairs
Philip Weinberg, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Yutian Wu, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Beizhan Yan, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Visit our SIPA Faculty Directory to view bios
Students in the MPA-ESP program must complete the requirements of the core curriculum (26 points), the policy concentration (16 points), and three elective courses (12 points).
Core Curriculum
The classes that comprise the core curriculum (26 Points) prepare students to analyze and understand the formulation and management of public policy. Students learn about organizational analysis, budgeting, financial analysis and reporting, probability theory, applied regression analysis, and applied microeconomics. The program emphasizes a hands-on approach so that students may acquire the analytic, communication, and work skills required to be problem-solving earth systems professionals. These skills include memo writing, presentations, team management, and financial analysis.
The core also includes Workshops in Applied Earth Systems Policy Analysis and Management, which challenge students to apply their theoretical knowledge and functional skills to address real-world environmental policy and management issues. This unique aspect of the program helps the participants synthesize what they are learning and gives them valuable experience as they prepare for careers in public policy.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Points |
| Points |
| ENVP U6234 | Sustainability Management | 3.00 |
| ENVP U6310 | Quantitative Techniques and Systems Analysis in Policymaking | 3.00 |
| ENVP U8201 | Financial Management | 3.00 |
ENVP U8213
- ENVP U8216 | Microeconomics and Policy Analysis I
and Microeconomics and Policy Analysis II | 6.00 |
| 11.00 |
| Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management I | |
| Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management II | |
| Capstone Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Policy Analysis | |
| Total Points | 26 |
Policy Concentration
The Environmental Science and Earth Systems Concentration (16 Points) comprises both natural and social science courses.
The five natural science courses are Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Toxicology, Climatology, Hydrology, Ecology, and Urban Ecology. The social science course is Earth Systems and Environmental Policy, Politics, and Management (ENVP U6241).
The science component of the concentration is designed to enable students to understand enough science to manage the work of science experts. Our goal is for students to be capable of more than passive consumption or understanding of environmental science. However, we do not expect MPAs to become producers of scientific research. The environmental science taught in the program focuses on understanding the ecological processes that directly affect human health and well-being.
The policy and management issues our graduates are being trained to address include global change issues such as global warming but more frequently focus on: the provision of safe drinking water; environmentally-sound sewage treatment and disposal; solid and toxic waste management; and the control of local sources of air pollution.
The science courses required in this concentration are designed to support global and local environmental decision-making and management.
Degree Audit Report
Matriculated students in this program can view their degree audit report on Stellic.