Environmental Science and Policy, MS
New York, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 46,215 *
STUDY FORMAT
* estimated total cost of program: $42,660–$46,215
Key Summary
About: The MS in Environmental Science and Policy at Pace University combines science, policy, law, communication, and advocacy to prepare professionals to address environmental challenges. You'll study in a small university setting in the New York metropolitan area with access to labs, digital resources, faculty mentorship, and hands-on options including a research thesis or capstone, internships, and externships.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as advocates, policy analysts, consultants, sustainability specialists, conservation scientists, program coordinators, legislative staff, or environmental managers, in government agencies, consultancies, think tanks, high-tech firms, or non-profits, or pursue PhD study and bridge science-policy decision making roles globally.
Today's environmental challenges require professionals who understand the scientific foundations of problems and can navigate the policy-making process. Our program immerses students in both worlds and teaches you how to facilitate the solutions. The MS in Environmental Science and Policy is an integrated curriculum of science, policy and law, communication skills, and professional advocacy that will make you an effective agent of change in the public, private, or non-profit sectors.
Flexible, Immersive, Hands-On
- Learn in a small university environment located at the epicenter of American environmentalism.
- Train with expert faculty who will prepare you for an impactful career in the public, private, or non-profit sectors.
- Jump-start your career through our network of professional partners and internship opportunities.
Add Opportunities and Experiences
Students work alongside faculty members to expand the knowledge boundaries of the environmental realm and design improved policies. They are trained in how to apply analytical techniques to unexplored questions through a research thesis or capstone project.
The New York metropolitan area has deep roots in environmental protection and our faculty are well-connected to professionals in the region, which ensures that you'll gain meaningful experiences through externships, internships, and research assistant opportunities.
Pace University offers ample physical resources for success, including state-of-the-art lab facilities and critical digital assets. Our students have worked on regional and global research questions, from improving the protection of eels in the Hudson River to mammals in India.
Required Core Courses for All Tracks
- ESP 610: Principles of Environmental Science (3 credits)
- ESP 602: Environmental Policy and Politics (3 credits)
- ESP 608: Analytical Methods in Environmental Science and Policy (3 credits)
- ESP 609: Art of Advocacy and Negotiation (3 credits)
- ESP 702: Contemporary Issues in Environmental Policy: A Colloquium (2 credits)
Required Track
Science Track
- ENS 622: Quantitative Methods in Environmental Science (4 credits)
- ENS 623: Research and Statistical Methods (3 credits)
Policy Track
- EP 601: Introduction to Environmental Law (3 credits)
- EP 604: Environmental and Ecological Economics (3 credits)
- EP 606: Legislative and Regulatory Process (3 credits)
Public Administration Track
- PAA 601: Public Administration and its Environment (3 credits)
- PAA 602: Organization Theory and Management (3 credits)
- PAA 603: Economics of Government, Health Care and Nonprofit Entities (3 credits)
Required Degree Culmination Experience
External and Capstone
- ESP 701: Environmental Science and Policy Externship (4 credits)
- ESP 794: Contemporary Environmental Issues: Capstone (3 credits)
Thesis
- ESP 772: Thesis Preparation (1 credit)
- ESP 792: Research I (3 credits)
- ESP 793: Research II (3 credits)
Required Electives/Specialization Courses
These can be electives with ESP, ENS, EP prefix, or courses approved by the program director. Electives to fill up to 36 credits for the thesis option and 39 credits for the external/capstone option.
Pace University offers students as much financial assistance as possible. Financial Aid can come in many forms, including scholarships and grants, work-study, and student loans. Financial Aid award packages offered by Pace University typically consist of a combination of awards from these types of aid programs.
General Rules Covering All Financial Aid
- Any combination of tuition-specific Pace-funded scholarships, grants, or awards and New York State or other tuition-specific funding cannot exceed your actual tuition charges.
- All financial aid combined may not exceed your Cost of Attendance.
- You must be matriculated in a degree program at Pace University to receive any financial aid other than Alternative Loans. (Note that some certificate program students also qualify). Matriculated means that you are admitted to and enrolled in a degree or applicable certificate program.
- Generally, students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per semester) to qualify for aid. Exceptions are Federal Pell Grants and Alternative Loans.
- To review basic eligibility criteria for Pace University, Federal, and New York State aid programs please visit our General Eligibility section.
Pace Scholarships and Resources
- Institutional Scholarships and Grants
- Federal Grants
- New York State Scholarships and Grants
- Third-Party Scholarship Resources
Choose Your Career
Influence and make policy as a leader, analyst, advocate, consultant, or manager. Work for a government agency, a legislative committee staff, a high-tech company, a consultancy think tank, or a non-profit adv, acacia y organization. Investigate the inner workings of natural ecosystems and explore new approaches to solve our environmental problems.
There has never been a better time to consider a career in environmental science and policy. Related positions are on the rise in response to a surge in sustainable technologies, new energy markets, environmental disasters, and support for improved conservation policies. Applicants with training and experience in brokering the science-policy interface will have a competitive advantage.
Career Options
Potential career options for graduates of this program include:
- Advocacy community organizer
- Consultant
- Conservation scientist, manager, or land steward
- Environmental program coordinator
- Legislative staff aide
- Policy Analyst
- Policy associate
- Sustainability Specialist
- Further studies via PhD programs