online phd environmental policy

Environmental Science, Policy, & Management PhD

The Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) Graduate Program provides a wealth of opportunities for students interested in careers in academia, government, and non-governmental agencies worldwide. Our faculty are internationally recognized, and ESPM is the campus hub for connections to other renowned Berkeley programs in the environment such as the Energy and Resources Group , Agricultural and Resource Economics , the Goldman School of Public Policy , Integrative Biology , Berkeley Natural History Museums , and Berkeley Law . The Berkeley campus maintains close ties to world-class research facilities at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, California Academy of Sciences, Stanford University, and many other institutions. Students admitted to our program work with their research mentor to select courses, individualize their training, and conduct research projects that meet their interests and goals. Our core graduate courses provide an introduction to the wide breadth and deep expertise of research on the environment within our department and help students apply for funding opportunities early in their graduate program.

The PhD program is the main graduate program in ESPM for students entering with or without previous masters degrees, though we also offer limited numbers of MS degrees in our specialized Master of Range Management and Master of Forestry programs. The goal of the program is to provide both a strong disciplinary education and broadly based experience in cross-disciplinary communication and problem solving. To achieve this, the program leading to the PhD in environmental science, policy, and management requires that students complete three core courses and take additional coursework in the following three areas: area of specialization, research skills, and experiential breadth.

Disciplinary Emphasis

The disciplinary emphasis is the broadest academic area encompassing the student's interests. The three disciplinary emphases within the department are ecosystem sciences, organisms & environment, and society & environment. A student pursuing a strongly interdisciplinary program may study more than one of these disciplines in depth. Specific coursework within each field will be chosen by the guiding committee in conjunction with the student and approved by the graduate mentor.

Area of Specialization

The area of specialization is a narrower field within the context of the disciplinary emphasis. Some examples of these areas are microbial community ecology, ecosystem function, arthropod population and community ecology, biological control of arthropods, arthropod biodiversity science, American environmental history and policy, international forest management, biogeochemistry, Mediterranean grassland ecosystems, remote sensing, and forest management, to name a few.

Application

Prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact a potential PhD mentor directly prior to the application deadline. If possible, prospective graduate students should plan to visit the campus, department, and graduate program. As part of their application, each student will be asked to identify one of the three disciplinary emphases (ecosystem sciences, organisms & environment, and society & environment) most closely associated with her/his interests. If you have questions about which emphasis to choose, please ask your prospective mentor. It is not uncommon for students in ESPM to be co-mentored by two professors, often with different disciplinary emphases. The area of specialization is determined after entry into the program, in consultation with the guiding committee and PhD mentor.

Contact Info

[email protected]

130 Mulford Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Environmental Science Policy & Management PhD

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 3, 2024

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

Earth System Science & Policy Ph.D.

Help drive new Earth system science and policy research to advance knowledge and develop original solutions to global sustainability challenges.

Learn to generate rigorous scientific inquiry that bridges the gaps identified in scientific knowledge. UND's Earth System Science & Policy Ph.D. combines theory with practice, global and local perspectives, and scientific and social disciplines.

Why earn an earth system science and policy Ph.D.?

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Sustainability science seeks to meet the needs of society while sustaining the life support systems of the planet. UND's Earth System Science & Policy Ph.D. program is practical in nature. The multidisciplinary nature of the curriculum ensures a comprehensive understanding of Earth systems and policies, enabling you to approach complex challenges with a holistic perspective.

You'll have opportunities to become a high-level researcher with the ability to generate new theories and knowledge. In addition, you will gain research expertise to be able to critically evaluate and identify gaps in existing knowledge.

The research, technical skills, and expertise you accumulate throughout the program are not just academic achievements; they directly translate into your capacity to influence environmental policies and regulations. As a graduate, you become a key player in the ongoing dialog surrounding sustainability. You’ll contribute to the development and implementation of policies that address pressing environmental issues. Your work can have a tangible impact on driving sustainability progress, fostering a harmonious balance between societal needs and the preservation of our planet's life support systems.

UND's Earth System Science & Policy Ph.D.

Gain the skills  to generate creative new solutions to Earth system and sustainability problems, and to seize opportunities presented by a changing environment.

Prepare for a range of careers in industry, government agencies and higher education.

Generate rigorous and original scientific inquiry that bridges gaps in scientific knowledge.

Synthesize and communicate research results with a dissertation, peer reviewed publications and professional presentations.

Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.

Study at a Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students are an integral part of UND research.

What can I do with an earth system science Ph.D.?

Median annual salary for geoscientists, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Projected job growth for geoscientists through 2032

Earth system science and policy research is a fast-growing field. It offers those with high-level graduate experience plenty of opportunity, especially considering today's environmental and sustainability issues, and evolving government regulations. This Ph.D. program offers the curriculum and research resources to prepare you for a successful career in:

• Private industry
• Government agencies
• Non-governmental organizations
• Academic professions

UND graduates can expect exciting opportunities to a wide range of professions, including:

• Earth system scientists
• Environmental and geospatial consultant
• Environmental project manager
• Governmental agency careers
• Non-governmental Organizations
• Chief environmental scientist
• Academic career

Earth System Science & Policy alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

• Advanced Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc.
• EMU Office of Research Development
• International Water Institute
• Dewberry Consultants, Inc.
• Environmental Communication Options

Earth System Science & Policy Ph.D. Courses

ESSP 503. Environmental Policy & Science. 3 Credits.

Human interactions with the Earth system are often managed through policy and science. This course will introduce students to concepts, ideas, practices, and challenges at the nexus of policy, science, and the environment. Students will examine the human dimensions of environmental problems and the different roles of policy and science in helping us address them. F.

ESSP 504. The Biosphere. 3 Credits.

The Biosphere ( ESSP 504 ) introduces students to the concept of the biosphere as articulated by Vladimir Vernadsky in the 1920s and 1930s, and examines the concepts and roles of nutrient cycling, biodiversity, evolution, ecology, and ecosystem productivity on Earth. The overall course is framed around the Drake equation and walks students through critical steps in the formation of the solar system, habitable zones around stars, evolution and proliferation of life on Earth, the interconnected nature of inorganic nutrient cycling and ecosystem function, and human's impact on all these systems, culminating with the final variable of the Drake equation--the longevity of civilizations--and humanity's active role in the Anthropocene. F.

ESSP 505. Energy Issues and Earth Systems. 3 Credits.

This course is about contemporary complex energy issues. It gives an overview of energy history, the last century trends and the achievement in energy production. It also discusses energy systems and energy "linkages" with society. It then examines the pros and the cons of both fossil fuels and alternative fuels. Finally it considers the future of energy in low-carbon energy systems. F.

ESSP 506. Ecosystem Services: Valuing Nature in a Market Society. 3 Credits.

Analyzes the services and goods provided by natural and human-made ecosystems with a primary focus on the agroecosystems and grasslands of the northern Great Plains. Explores the scientific framework of ecosystem services, their disruption or disturbance, economic and ecological values, methods of analyzing these values, and policy implications. S.

ESSP 507. Earth Systems Processes and Vulnerability Analysis. 3 Credits.

Earth Systems Processes and Vulnerability Analysis ( ESSP 507 ) will explore how humans exist on an active landscape. The course focuses on an understanding of the integration of the processes of physical Earth systems and the human vulnerability to hazards and Earth system syndromes related to these processes. The course also explores human vulnerability by analyzing spatial, numerical, and historical data, through spatial and statistical techniques. S.

Online Ph.D. in Earth System Science & Policy

best online graduate programs

best online college in North Dakota

Intelligent

UND's online Ph.D. in Earth System Science & Policy is fully online. You never have to come to campus.

UND is one of the most affordable online colleges in the region. For this program, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Flexible Online Ph.D. in Earth System Science & Policy Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

• Lesson modules
• Streaming video content
• Virtual libraries
• Posted lectures
• Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Top-Tier Online Earth System Science Ph.D.

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs. No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

• Same degree:  All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) . Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
• Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
• Real interaction:  You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
• Your own academic advisor:  As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
• Free online tutoring:  We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
• Unlimited academic coaching:  Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
• Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
• 24/7 technical support:  UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
• Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

• Affordability
• Student satisfaction (retention rate)
• Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
• Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Earth System Science & Policy

The earth is comprised of complex and interconnected systems. Learn about programs and research opportunities at UND.

Connect with the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

• Department of Earth System Science & Policy
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Doctorate in Sustainability – PhD (Online)

Career paths, residencies.

• Faculty & Staff

Tuition & Fees

Emerge as an innovative leader in the field of sustainability to address socio-ecological resilience, climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity, environmental policy, economic justice, and more.

At a Glance

For the program beginning summer 2025

Residency Locations

Portugal, Tanzania

Priority Deadline

November 1, 2024, followed by rolling admissions

Final Deadline

January 31, 2025

Critical Global Issue of Study

Climate & Environment

Development & Inequality

Program Cost

Why a phd in sustainability from sit.

Developed for professionals working to create a more sustainable future, PhD in Sustainability students will investigate the social, ecological, technical, and political dimensions of sustainable transformations, the relationship of science and society in advancing more sustainable futures, and novel and inclusive approaches to community-based problem solving and sustainable development.

This fully accredited online program is complemented by two 10-day international residencies across four years of part-time study. During the first-year residency, students will immerse themselves in Lisbon, Portugal, a beacon of progress in renewable energy innovation, marine conservation, and sustainability. During the second-year residency, students transition from theory to hands-on exploration through unique case studies in Tanzania’s Zanzibar Archipelago, which is at the forefront of blue economy initiatives.

Students will develop skills in research, organizational leadership, policy development, and communication in order to contribute to climate change mitigation, advocate for social equity, and innovate sustainable business practices for economic prosperity. Graduates of the program will be prepared to lead multi-stakeholder groups as they will be effective communicators in policy circles, academic and organizational contexts, and in popular science.  

SIT’s global faculty bring experience in both teaching and mentorship and applied work in many facets of sustainability, from integrative conservation, climate change, food security, environmental governance, and sustainable business and technology. With SIT’s global network and long history of experiential learning, students will gain a unique global perspective they can apply to their careers.

This program is ideal for professionals enthusiastic about producing evidence-based analysis to investigate the social and ecological dimensions of sustainable transformations, the relationship of science and society in advancing more sustainable futures, and novel and inclusive approaches to community-based problem solving and sustainable development. Career paths may include:

Climate and environment analyst

Lead sustainability designer or director

Energy policy advisor

Regenerative systems specialist

Green tech innovator

Sustainability curriculum designer

University faculty

Leadership and research roles in academic, government, NGO, and business

Read about SIT Graduate Institute alumni careers through the SIT blog and our Career Impact page.

First-Year Residency: Lisbon, Portugal

Dates : May 18, 2025 – May 28 or May 29, 2025

A beacon of progress in renewable energy innovation, marine conservation, and sustainability, Portugal offers a vibrant environment of breathtaking coastlines and majestic mountainous regions that will serve as your classroom. During this 10-day residency, students will explore and contribute to areas such as marine conservation, renewable energy innovations, and sustainable agriculture practices.

The program base, Lisbon, received the 2020 European Green Capital Award. The city surpassed its 2030 target for carbon emissions reduction in 2016 and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Second-Year Residency: Zanzibar, Tanzania

Dates : May 30, 2026 – June 8 or June 9, 2026

Transition from theory to hands-on exploration through case studies in the Zanzibar Archipelago, which is at the forefront of blue economy initiatives. This 10-day residency serves as a cornerstone for grounding the program themes and tools in real-world applications, where your research becomes a powerful catalyst for positive change.

Go beyond the classroom to contribute to solutions for sustainability challenges, particularly related to food production and tourism in the face of climate change. Visit key sites and interact with stakeholders to gain valuable insights into local sustainability practices and challenges. Beyond the local context, this experience extends to a global perspective as participants compare their Zanzibar experiences against similar cases worldwide.

Please note that in order to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, program excursions may occasionally vary.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the PhD in Sustainability, students will be able to:

• Conduct groundbreaking transdisciplinary research that cuts across systems thinking, sustainability studies, and social action.
• Design effective and successful project solutions that lead to inclusive, tenable results for the flourishing of human livelihoods and ecosystems at different spatiotemporal scales.
• Contribute to an emerging body of research and action that redefines mainstream environmental thought guided by contemporary, alternative conservation epistemologies.
• Lead organizations and initiatives in the creation and implementation of sustainable and regenerative systems that satisfy human and ecosystem needs.
• Design and carry out original, ethical research informed by relevant literature and grounded in appropriate methodologies and approaches.
• Contribute to scholarship and practice of the field through publishable research findings.

Read more about Program Learning Outcomes .

Students complete 64 credit hours of work across four years (12 semesters) of study in small personalized cohorts. Courses focus on theory, research methods, applied practice, professional development, and dissertation preparation. Throughout, you will learn from professors and advisors from across the globe. This PhD draws on SIT’s 60-year history of experiential education and global partnerships to provide students with a unique and powerful learning experience.

Students can request to transfer up to 15 credits of relevant previous graduate coursework during admission, thereby reducing the overall credit requirement from 64 to 49.

With approval, students can pursue an accelerated pathway to complete the degree in 10 semesters. The research and dissertation writing phase of the program may vary, dependent on individual student progress, outside commitments, and type or scope of research.

Please expand the sections below to see detailed course descriptions and admissions information.

This is SIT

• We value active togetherness, reciprocity, and respect as the essential ingredients for building a sustainable community .

• With open minds, empathy, and courage, we facilitate intercultural understanding and respect for the commonalities and differences between people.
• We champion social inclusion & justice in all that we are and all that we do, from ensuring our community and our programs amplify the voices, agency, and dignity of all people to deliberately instilling the principles and practices of inclusion in all of our work.
• We are committed to human and environmental well-being through sustainability and contributing to a better world for all living and future generations.
• Elective (3 credits; or 3 approved transfer credits)
• Perspectives on Sustainability (3 credits)

In this course, students will delve into the foundational bodies of theory that underpin both research and practical applications of sustainability approaches. This course provides the theoretical background for the discussion and analysis of sustainability issues that range from energy and natural resources to biodiversity and global climate change. Core concepts of the course include social-ecological systems thinking, vulnerability, resilience, regenerative development, policy, and communication in the context of sustainability.

Central to the course is the interconnectedness of sustainability issues across different scales and systems. Students will gain insights into how communities, governments, organizations, social movements, private corporations, and individuals can collectively address the looming threats to sustainability. The exploration of sustainability topics spans a wide array of perspectives, fostering adaptability in addressing the complex task of reshaping human society and its relationship with nature and technology. The overarching goal is to guide individuals towards more sustainable patterns in ecological, social, political, and economic relations while preparing them to be effective communicators of hope throughout their graduate degree and beyond.

• Social-Ecological-Technical-Political Systems and Integration (3 credits)

This course provides the theoretical background for the use and application of complex systems thinking and decision making for sustainability. The course content draws on diverse fields and spheres, including the social sciences, ecological systems, and technology, with a focus on how these spheres overlap, interact, and how we may further bring them together. Core concepts of the course include social-ecological systems thinking, supply-chain and networks analysis, and ethics and social justice in the context of sustainability. Students will examine interrelationships among natural, societal, economic, technological and political systems on multiple scales, and learn to identify problems and conceptualize solutions using systems thinking.

• Integrative Biodiversity Conservation (3 credits)

In this course, students will examine past and current environmental conservation theories, paradigms, approaches, and practices that explore and weigh 1) the challenges and successes of resource conservation on multiple scales, 2) the role of carbon in current and future management of ecological systems, 3) the emergence of environmental governance, and 4) ecological restoration and its potential impacts on human flourishing. Holistic in its approach, the course focuses on the relationships, nuances, and sacrifices involved in balancing human use of natural resources and the maintenance and regeneration of ecological health. The course will also draw on theories and concepts from the pluriverse, environmental psychology, and notions of the inseparable duality of the human-nature mosaic.

• Case studies in Climate Change and Sustainability (3 credits)

Societies in developing countries depend on ecosystem goods and services for their livelihoods. Climate change impacts have damaged the integrity of ecosystems and placed stresses on residents’ livelihoods, public institutions, and businesses. This Praxis course addresses climate change impacts and sustainable practices in the tropics and, furthermore, shows that sustainability is a key factor of the development process. The idea of sustainability emerged in response to growing concerns about the apparent failure of conventional, state-led “development” initiatives and about the extent and pace of socio-environmental degradation, including in African settings. In general, a practice is sustainable and resilient when it can cope with and recover from stress and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets, while not further undermining the natural resource base and its multi-sectoral linkages.

This 10-day course takes place in the Zanzibar Archipelago, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania in East Africa. The course addresses three specific cases by experiencing examples and putting theory and skills into practice where Africa meets the Indian Ocean. During the stay in Zanzibar, we also visit key sites and meet with stakeholders about sustainability practices and challenges, for instance as linked to food production and tourism in an era of climate change. Experiences and applications in Zanzibar are compared against global cases. This course grounds doctoral program themes and tools with on-the-ground experiences and applications in the Global South.

• Preliminary Review (0 credits)

At the conclusion of year one of the program, students must pass a preliminary examination. Preliminary exams demonstrate mastery of content covered in core courses and demonstrated progress towards the dissertation research proposal.

• Analytical Tools and Methods in Sustainability Studies (3 credits)

Sustainability assessment balances environmental, social, and economic impacts while respecting contextual and long-term risks. This Research Methods course provides a critical and systematic review of qualitative and quantitative, but primarily mixed methods, approaches to sustainability. Previous comprehension of baseline qualitative and quantitative methods is expected of students. The course also introduces and applies diverse analytical tools essential to the assessment of sustainability cases and outcomes. A broad comprehension of disciplines, scales (space and time), data types, metrics, indicators, and the strengths and limitations of specific paradigms and approaches informs the course and its content. Sustainability evaluations can impact policy and decision-making in both natural/physical and social spheres. Enhanced livelihoods and environmental conservation and social development can result from improved scientific and technical applications that assess the synergies and tradeoffs of sustainability outcomes.

• Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits)

In this course, students will be introduced to a range of approaches and methods used in qualitative inquiry. Among the approaches covered are process tracing, discourse analysis, ethnographic research, case studies, comparative historical analysis, archival research, interviewing, ethnography, content analysis, ethnographic research, political profiling, and agent-based modeling. Students will deepen their knowledge about these approaches and enhance their data collection skills by conducting surveys, analytical frameworks, designing case studies, and reflecting on each method’s strengths and limitations. Students will also learn how to code data inductively and deductively, develop codes, look for patterns emerging in data, develop overarching themes, and interpret findings.

• Comprehensive Exam (0 credits)

Upon completion of all coursework, students must pass a comprehensive examination and begin a prospectus (proposal) for their dissertation research. Comprehensive exams confirm students’ mastery of their chosen field of study and serve as the basis for their doctoral dissertation literature review. After passing the comprehensive examination and prospectus defense, students enter candidacy.

• Research Colloquium (3 credits)

The Research Colloquium gives a platform for doctoral students to present and discuss possible PhD research projects, exchange ideas, receive constructive feedback, and workshop ways to prepare and improve their dissertation research proposals. Across 10 days, students interact in a conference format, presenting their research ideas, the literature and debates attached to those ideas, and the methods they are considering using in their inquiry process. Students are also expected to critically evaluate the work of their peers, providing constructive criticism to help them advance their research agenda, operationalize their research questions(s), and identify and develop plans for overcoming challenges in the data collection and analysis phases of their research. Prior to the in-person colloquium students will work with their advisor as needed to develop their presentations.

• Doctoral and Professional Development Seminar 1 (1 credit)

The Doctoral and Professional Development Seminars 1-4 seek to build a community of practice of PhD students as they work to complete their doctoral dissertations.  Students meet bi-weekly with each other and their degree chair to share their dissertation progress, problem solve, and share drafts of their work for feedback. The seminar will also feature occasional guest speakers who will share their own doctoral dissertation journeys and their professional transitions after receiving their PhD.

• Proposal Defense, IRB approval (3 credits)

The proposal defense is designed to evaluate the feasibility, significance, and originality of each student’s proposed dissertation research project. It serves as a critical checkpoint to ensure that the research project is well-structured, well-developed, and has a high likelihood of success. The defense is conducted in front of the student’s three dissertation committee members: their primary advisor and their first and second reader. It consists of a formal presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. After the questioning, the committee deliberates, then provides feedback to the student regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal. The outcome of the defense will be one of the following: 1) Pass: the student may proceed with their research, 2) Conditional Pass: The student is allowed to proceed, but they must address specific issues or complete requested revisions to the proposal before doing so, or 3) Fail: The proposal does not meet the required standards, and the student will be required to revise and redefend it at a later date. *Requires successful completion of comprehensive exams.

• Dissertation (5 credits)

At least 20 credits of the PhD program consists of research and dissertation. After completion of the dissertation, the student must pass an oral examination in defense of the dissertation. The culminating experience for the doctoral degree program is publication of the dissertation. The non-coursework portion of the program usually lasts two years.

• Doctoral and Professional Development Seminar 2 (1 credit)
• Doctoral and Professional Development Seminar 3 (1 credit)
• Doctoral and Professional Development Seminar 4 (1 credit)
• Dissertation Defense (1 credit)

In this course, students will complete their dissertation, prepare for their oral defense. working closely with their primary and secondary advisors, and deliver and defend their work. Students will be able to present their dissertation remotely.

Electives and Transfer Credits (15 credits)

Students must take 15 credits of elective courses prior to sitting for comprehensive exams. Elective credits can be fulfilled by two means: transferring prior graduate credits earned at SIT or another accredited institution or completing an advisor approved elective offered through one of SIT’s course offerings in the master’s or PhD programs.

Admissions Criteria

Our admissions staff work one-on-one with every applicant to facilitate a highly informed and multidimensional admissions experience: applicants are required to undertake an interview with SIT faculty during the application process.    

As applicants become familiar with the attributes of an SIT education—grounded in the experiential learning model and focused on social justice and leadership skills in intercultural environments—they determine for themselves  how  SIT can help them meet their educational and career objectives.  

For the PhD in Sustainability, admissions will evaluate candidates to ensure they meet the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution
• Strong academic writing and scholarly potential, as evidenced by a statement of purpose
• Demonstrated English language proficiency (see details below)
• Intercultural and professional experience
• A minimum preferred cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0
• Demonstrated ability to use experience as a source of learning
• All applicants are required to interview with program faculty

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• statement of purpose
• three letters of recommendation
• resume or curriculum vitae
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information The statement of purpose should not exceed 750 words and should demonstrates your interest in the PhD in Sustainability at SIT; describe how your prior academic and/or professional experience have prepared you to undertake doctoral studies; describe how completion of the degree will support long-term professional goals; and proposes your research topic and guiding question(s) and their significance to the field. You will be prompted to provide contact information for three references who can attest to your academic and professional achievements. At least one should know you in an academic capacity.

Applicants will be able to transfer up to 15 credits of related graduate coursework toward the PhD program. 

English Language Ability

Applicants whose first language is not English and who did not graduate from an English-speaking institution must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Faculty & Staff

Sustainability – phd (online).

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SIT’s Student Financial Services Office provides guidance on all aspects of funding your degree throughout the application process and during your degree program. Tuition costs vary by program and scholarships are available.

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Ph.D. in Environment and Sustainability

Our Environment and Sustainability Ph.D. equips students with diverse perspectives to develop profound new ideas, knowledge and approaches to the most important concerns facing people and the planet. The program provides training to develop deep understandings of the structures of current environment and sustainability issues today and to develop analytical research to address them. This requires learning in multiple disciplines and how they, together, can better provide greater knowledge to bear to the social, environmental, political, scientific and economic factors creating the situation we face today. Our goal is to prepare students for a range of careers in academia, as well as public and private sectors.

Climate Strategies

Talking solutions with Marilyn Raphael, director of UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Dangerous combination of extreme heat and smoke affected 16.5 million Californians

“as a passionate environmentalist and social justice organizer, students with diverse views helped me value mainstream and economically-framed solutions”.

​​Cassie Gardener-Manjikian

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How to Apply Learn more

Ph.D. in Environmental Policy

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 31
• Students: 13
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Part time study available: No
• Application terms: Fall
• Application deadline: December 12

Martin D. Smith Director of Graduate Studies University Program in Environmental Policy Duke University Box 90328 Durham, NC 27708-0328 Phone: (919) 613-8028

Email:  [email protected]

Website: https://nicholas.duke.edu/academics/doctoral-degrees

Program Description

The University Program in Environmental Policy (UPEP) is a multidisciplinary, research-focused five-year doctoral degree, intended to prepare candidates for positions in applied academic departments and professional schools (e.g., environment and natural resources, public policy, public administration, international affairs), domestic and international public agencies and environmental organizations, research institutes, and policy consulting firms.  Although the program is multidisciplinary, it is designed to ensure that students have strength in a particular social science discipline.  Students designate their concentration when applying and currently may select either environmental economics or environmental politics.

Students interested in doctoral studies at Duke can also study the environment from a social science perspective through the disciplinary PhD program in Economics and PhD program in Political Science, and the interdisciplinary PhD program in Marine Science and Conservation.  Students interested in an applied social science degree without a specific focus on the environment should apply to the PhD program in Public Policy Studies.  Students interested in natural science aspects of the environment should consider the PhD program in Environment, PhD program in Earth and Ocean Sciences, PhD program in Marine Science and Conservation, and PhD program in Ecology.

UPEP is the first and only PhD program in the United States jointly administered by a school of the environment and a school of public policy.  It provides a focal point for faculty and graduate students in the Nicholas School of the Environment and the Sanford School of Public Policy who are interested in environmental policy.  It draws on the intellectual resources of not only the two schools but also related disciplinary departments (Economics, Political Science) and other professional schools (Law School, Fuqua School, Pratt School of Engineering) at Duke.  Faculty in the program conduct research on economic and political aspects of a wide range of topics, including air and water quality, biodiversity conservation, climate change, community resources management, corporate sustainability, ecosystem services, energy, environmental health, fisheries, forests, freshwater, and marine resources, in both U.S. and international contexts.  Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members with related interests to learn more about their current research projects and interest in accepting new doctoral students.

Students in the program:

• A set of common requirements, including courses in the political-economic theory of public policy (PUBPOL 901/902, 6 credits), a series of research workshops leading to the dissertation proposal (ENV 834S, 4.5 credits), and at least one course in environmental/resource economics (3+ credits).
• Disciplinary concentration requirements, including core theory (6+ credits) and research methods (6+ credits) in economics or political science, and corresponding environmental field courses (i.e., environmental economics or environmental politics; (6 credits).
• As needed, appropriate training in natural sciences relevant to the student's research.  The level and content of such training is flexible and is worked out in consultation with the student's advisor and committee.
• Regularly attend and participate in one or more research seminars in which faculty and others present their research.
• Attain dissertation status, including meeting qualifying requirements and passing the preliminary exam, by the end of the third year.
• Pass a final examination, which consists of an oral dissertation defense to an approved supervisory committee.  This is typically completed by the end of the fifth year.  A successful Environmental Policy PhD dissertation must constitute a significant contribution to policy-relevant knowledge, either through innovative application of social science methods to environmental policy problems, or by innovation in theory or methods appropriate for addressing environmental policy problems.

Students normally receive a stipend and a scholarship to cover tuition and fees for up to five years of study if they maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree.  Support during the first 2-3 years is usually in return for service as a teaching assistant, with support during the remainder of the program expected to come from research grants managed by a student's major professor.  Some students also compete successfully for fellowships offered by the Graduate School and other sources at Duke.  Applicants are encouraged to explore external sources of fellowship support (e.g., National Science Foundation) during the application process.

Students in the program can interact with researchers at several centers and institutes at Duke University including the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, the Center on Global Change, the Duke Global Health Institute, the Social Science Research Institute, the Duke Center for International Development, and the Triangle Census Research Data Center.  They can also interact with visiting researchers through two research seminar series supported by UPEP--the Environmental Institutions Seminar Series held at Duke and the regional Triangle Resource and Environmental Economics Seminar Series organized by Duke, North Carolina State University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Institute, along with numerous other seminar series in the Nicholas School, the Sanford School, the Departments of Economics and Political Science, and other Duke schools, departments, institutes, and centers.

• Environmental Policy: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Environmental Policy: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Environmental Policy: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Environmental Policy: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Application Deadline:  December 12

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General (Optional)
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Writing Sample None required

Additional Requirements: On no more than one page, please briefly highlight the following:

• Your academic preparation and/or professional experience in quantitative methods and skills (e.g. math, statistics, epidemiology). Provide a bulleted list of relevant academic coursework with final grades, and any relevant research projects, extracurricular engagement, experience with software, and/or professional responsibilities
• Your academic and/or professional writing experiences, as evidenced through research papers, an undergraduate thesis, scientific writing courses, or professional writing.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

List of Graduate School Programs and Degrees

University Program in Environmental Policy (UPEP)

Identifying policy solutions to environmental challenges requires a command of social sciences, alongside topical knowledge and understanding of relevant policy processes. Duke's University Program in Environmental Policy (UPEP) PhD is a 5-year program for intense research training, combining disciplinary specialization − in economics or political science − with an emphasis on understanding policy settings and the precise nature of the problem we hope to solve with policy. That requires integrating multiple perspectives to frame useful applications of disciplinary rigor.

Our students and faculty conduct world-class research, in domestic and international contexts, on a wide array of topics in environmental economics, policy, and politics. Graduate placements have included academic positions in disciplinary departments, interdisciplinary units, and professional schools and professional positions in domestic and international public agencies, environmental organizations, research institutes, and consulting firms.

The UPEP PhD program is jointly administered by the Nicholas School of the Environment and the Sanford School of Public Policy. It draws on the extensive resources of both schools, as well as numerous departments and research institutes across Duke University. UPEP students work in close proximity to PhD students in other disciplines, within each School as well as across Duke. We have close affiliations with the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability and the Duke Global Health Institute .

UPEP builds on a long history of Duke University engagement with environmental policy issues. The predecessors of the Nicholas School—the School of Forestry, the Marine Lab, and the Department of Geology—were founded in the 1930s. The Sanford School of Public Policy traces its history to the formation of Duke’s Institute of Policy Sciences and Public Affairs in 1971. Both schools have offered environment-focused PhD training for many years. In 2010, UPEP was created to bring together groups engaged in social science research and training for environmental policy.  

Applying to UPEP

UPEP applicants should apply directly to the  Duke Graduate School . All doctoral students must enter the program in the fall.

We welcome applicants from diverse academic, cultural, socioeconomic, and professional backgrounds. Approximately 3-5 students are projected to enter the program each fall, for a total of 20-25 students enrolled at any given time.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the program is extremely competitive, with less than 10 percent of applicants typically offered admission. Applicants should have a record of high academic achievement and the potential to become leading researchers on environmental policy issues. Although the program’s admissions committee evaluates applicants from a comprehensive standpoint, successful applicants will likely have:

• High GPA scores.
• Personalized letters of recommendation that attest to the applicant’s scholarly ability.
• Research interests that overlap those of one or more UPEP faculty members.
• Applicants should clearly specify the preferred concentration in the personal statement. Adequate preparation for PhD-level training in either economics or political science is an important consideration in admissions. 

Matching with Faculty

UPEP conducts program-level admissions review to evaluate applicants’ backgrounds and interests and find matches with potential advisors. Applicants may contact faculty members individually, but it is not necessary to secure an advising commitment in advance in order to be accepted into the program.

To identify faculty members with research interests similar to yours, consult the active UPEP advisor list in the UPEP Handbook and explore the  Nicholas School Faculty Database  and the  Sanford School Faculty Directory .

Other Areas of Study

Candidates should have a strong interest in either the economic or political aspects of environmental studies . If you are primarily interested in other areas, consider the following doctoral programs instead:

• If you are interested primarily in natural science aspects of the environment, consider applying to the Nicholas School’s  PhD program in Environment ,  PhD program in Earth and Ocean Sciences , or  PhD program in Ecology . 
• If you are interested in studying marine resource issues from social science perspectives other than economics or political science, consider applying to the Nicholas School’s  PhD program in Marine Science and Conservation .
• If you are interested in an applied social science degree without a specific focus on the environment, consider applying to the Sanford School’s PhD program in Public Policy Studies .

Faculty & Students

Nicholas faculty who advise upep students.

• Elizabeth Albright
• Lori Bennear
• Brian Murray
• Marty Smith
• Jeff Vincent 
• Erika Weinthal
• Junjie Zhang

Sanford Faculty Who Advise UPEP Students

• Sarah Bermeo
• Sara Sutherland
• Marc Jeuland
• Robyn Meeks
• Subhrendu Pattanayak
• Alexander Pfaff

Current UPEP Students

• Savannah Carr-Wilson
• Xingchen Chen
• Emily Decker
• Alex Diaz Herrera
• Ryan McCord
• Dylan Munson
• Gabriela Nagle Alverio
• Chrissie Pantoja Vallejos
• Matthew Reale-Hatem
• Paula Sarmiento
• Zhenxuan Wang
• Ben Weintraut
• Andrew Zhai
• Finnie Zhao

UPEP fosters interaction among students, Duke faculty, faculty at neighboring universities (in particular North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), and visiting researchers by co-sponsoring two seminar series that meet regularly during the academic year: 

• Environmental Institutions Seminar Series (held at Duke). 
• Triangle Resource and Environmental Economics Seminar Series  (held at Research Triangle Institute). 

UPEP runs its own internal biweekly seminar in which mostly students present to the other students and faculty.

Students also participate in numerous other seminars sponsored by the Nicholas School, the Sanford School, the Departments of Economics and Political Science, and other schools, departments, institutes, and centers at Duke and area universities.  

Institutes & Centers

Students in the program interact with researchers at several institutes and centers at Duke, including: 

• Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability
• Duke Global Health Institute
• Social Science Research Institute
• Duke Center for International Development

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find our responses to the most common questions asked by prospective applicants.  

General Questions

What is the difference between UPEP and other PhD programs in the Nicholas and Sanford schools at Duke?

UPEP is intended for individuals who are interested in conducting PhD studies in environmental policy with an emphasis on economics or political science, under the supervision of Duke University faculty members who have primary appointments in the Nicholas or Sanford schools. 

Other PhD programs at Duke are probably more appropriate for you if you are interested in natural science aspects of the environment, purely disciplinary programs in economics or political science, fields of public policy other than environmental policy, or studying marine resource issues from perspectives other than economics or political science. 

If you are still not sure which program to apply to, please contact the faculty members whose research interests you and ask them which programs admit students that they can supervise.

What kinds of careers does UPEP prepare students for?

A variety of organizations hire individuals with PhDs in environmental policy, including universities, research institutes, government agencies, private-sector consulting firms, and NGOs.  

Is UPEP an interdisciplinary program?

UPEP is interdisciplinary in the sense of requiring students to learn about two important dimensions of environmental policy—economics and politics—and encouraging them to develop a basic understanding of natural science aspects of the issues that interest them.  It emphasizes, however, the development of disciplinary expertise in either economics or political science as applied to environmental policy issues.

What kind of financial aid will I receive if I am admitted?

Details will be provided in your offer letter.

Can you send me a brochure on UPEP?

All information on UPEP is web-based.  Please contact the UPEP Director of Graduate Studies Assistant (DGSA,  [email protected] ) if you are unable to find the information you are seeking on this website.

Does Duke have a Master’s program in Environmental Policy?

Duke has a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) program, which is administered by the Nicholas School and includes an Environmental Economics and Policy concentration , and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) program, which is administered by the Sanford School.

Does Duke have a joint JD/PhD program in environmental policy?

You can earn both a JD and an Environmental Policy PhD from Duke in the following way.  Begin by applying to the three-year JD/MA program, with the MA in either Environmental Science and Policy (through the Nicholas School) or Public Policy Studies (through the Sanford School).  Please contact the Duke Law School for more information on the JD/MA program.  In the final year of the JD/MA program, apply to UPEP like any other applicant.  Depending on the courses taken during the JD/MA program, the number of additional years required to complete the UPEP PhD might be reduced from 5 years to 4 years, but probably not by more. 

Program Requirements

How long does the program take to complete?

Typically 5 years.  You can see illustrative timelines for the environmental economics and environmental politics concentrations in the UPEP Student Handbook .

Are economics and political science the only concentrations under UPEP?

Currently, yes.  

Do I need to decide on my concentration (economics or concentration) when I apply?

Yes.  You should state your intended concentration in your application.  Applicants who are unsure about their concentration will not be admitted.

What are the requirements of each concentration?

Please see the UPEP Student Handbook for program and curriculum details.

Do I need to identify a prospective advisor before I apply?

No, but your chances of admission will increase if your application indicates that you have identified one or more faculty members in the Nicholas or Sanford schools whose research interests are similar to yours.  You are welcome to communicate with faculty members before you apply, but please note that they cannot tell you whether you will be admitted.  Admission decisions are made by the Duke Graduate School, as advised by the UPEP admissions committee, not by individual faculty members.

How do I identify faculty members who might be interested in advising me if I am admitted?

Please see the “UPEP Faculty” listed above.

Will I be assigned an advisor if I am admitted?

Yes.  You will be assigned an advisor when you are admitted.  Your advisor will likely be a faculty member that you have mentioned in your application.  Another faculty member will be assigned, however, if none of the faculty members that you mention is available or if another faculty member is deemed to be a more suitable advisor for you.  Assigning an advisor at this early point in the program ensures that you will have a faculty member who will take responsibility for advising you on course selection, discussing your research interests, assisting you in obtaining grants and fellowships, and in other ways helping you complete the program successfully.

Can I change my advisor?

Yes.  Students interested in changing advisors should contact the UPEP Director of Graduate Studies.

Can I work with only my advisor as a teaching assistant (TA), a research assistant (RA), or on my dissertation research?

No.  TA assignments are made independently of advisor assignments, although you will likely serve as a TA for your advisor at least once.  RAships depend on funding availability.  You can serve as an RA for either your advisor or another faculty member.  UPEP students form dissertation committees consistent with Duke Graduate School rules, and members of the committee other than your advisor often play a large role in supervising aspects of the research.

Admissions Process

How do I apply to UPEP?

You apply through the Duke Graduate School. 

When is my application due?

The application deadline is posted on the Duke Graduate School website .  Late applications are generally not considered.

Can I enter the program during the spring semester instead of the fall semester?

No.  All students must enter during the fall semester.

Do I need to visit Duke before I apply?

No.  If you are interested in visiting, please contact the faculty members whose research most interests you and arrange a time to visit when they are available.  You will be responsible for making and paying for your own travel arrangements.  If you are admitted to UPEP, then you and other admitted students will be invited to visit Duke in mid-March, with the costs of that visit being covered by Duke up to a budgeted amount.

How are admission decisions made?

UPEP has an admissions committee, which meets in early January to review all of the complete applications submitted to Duke Graduate School.  Incomplete applications are not reviewed.  Based on the admission committee’s findings, the UPEP Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) provides recommendations to the Duke Graduate School as to which students should be admitted.  The Graduate School makes the official admission decisions.

When will I find out if I have been admitted?

Typically by the middle of February.

When must I decide whether to accept Duke’s offer of admission?

This information will be in your offer letter.  The date is typically in mid-April.

If I am admitted to the program, can I defer admission?

Ordinarily no, but deferrals may sometimes be granted for medical reasons.

Will I automatically be considered for other PhD programs at Duke or for a Master’s program if I am not admitted to UPEP?

No. Your application to UPEP is only for UPEP.

If I am not admitted to UPEP, should I enter another program and then apply for a transfer to UPEP?

You are welcome to do this, but there is no guarantee that it will increase your chances of admission.  You will be required to reapply through the normal process, and your application will be reviewed with along with those from first-time applicants.

I applied to the program last year but was not admitted. I would like to reapply. Can Duke transfer my scores, transcripts, and other materials to this year’s application?

No. You must submit a new application.

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