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Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies graduate program is an interdisciplinary program with specializations (secondary core areas) in Sciences, Policy and Values & Theory.   Other programs of study can be designed based on available courses and faculty support and expertise.

Purpose Statement:
The graduate program in Environmental Studies trains students for careers in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Graduates will have:

  • The ability to deal with real-world programs.
  • The ability to evaluate policy goals in the context of competing societal objectives.
  • Fundamental knowledge of the relevant environmental sciences to be intelligent users of scientific information.
  • The ability to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines in the context of complex environmental issues.
  • The ability to think critically, creatively, and holistically about environmental issues.
  • The ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, and
  • Skill in public speaking and writing for non-specialist audiences.

Website:  envs.colorado.edu

Degrees Offered:

  • JD/MS, JD/PhD, MS, MS/MBA, PhD
Degree Details: 

Please check the ENVS program web site for the most up to date information on graduate degree requirements.

MS
The degree requires completion of 36 credit hours as follows: 8 hours of a common core ; 6-9 hours of Theory and Methods; and 8-10 hours of electives chosen to broaden and deepen the graduate training. Both a thesis and nonthesis option is offered.

MS/MBA
This is a dual degree program offered in conjunction with the Leeds School of Business. Requires 36 hours of graduate work in Environmental Studies and 43 hours of MBA course work (with 12 hours of Environmental Studies course work applying towards the required 55 credits for the MBA). The MBA program will be considered the student's primary program.

MS/JD or PhD/JD
This is a dual degree program offered in conjunction with the Law School. The Law School will grant credit for acceptable performance in graduate level Environmental Studies courses towards the JD degree for up to nine (for MS students) or 12 (for PhD students) hours of the required 89 credits for the JD degree. Environmental Studies will grant up to 9 credits (for MS students) and 12 credit hours (for PhD students) of acceptable performance in Law courses. The JD program will be considered the student's primary program.

PhD
The degree requires completion of 32 course credit hours as follows: 8 hours of a common core; 6-9 hours of Theory and Methods; 6 hours of required Interdisciplinary Electives and 8-10 hours of electives chosen to broaden and deepen the graduate training. Thirty (30) dissertation hours are required, for a total of 62 credit hours. The degree requires passing the comprehensive examination and preparation and successful defense of the doctoral dissertation.

Admissions Requirements: 

Please refer to Environmental Studies Program: How to Apply for more information and specific directions.  Applicants must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university and send an official transcript(s) from each institution attended.
  2. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least a 3.0.
  3. Provide GRE scores.
  4. Provide 3 letters of recommendation. All letters of recommendation are due by Thursday, January 6, 2014.
  5. Provide a personal statement of academic interests (a required part of the online application).
  6. Complete and submit the ENVS Graduate Program Supplemental Information Form with your online application. (form also available within application)

Minimum Standards for Applicants
GRE required with a recommended minimum score of 50% or above.

Exceptions:  MS/MBA applicants may submit GRE scores.  MS/JD and PhD/JD applicants may submit LSAT scores.

Financial Support: 

 A limited number of teaching assistantships are awarded each year. Applicants are encouraged to apply for outside fellowships (NSF, etc.) or research assistantships with individual professors.  All admitted students should submit a FAFSA.

Fall Domestic Application Deadline: 
Monday, December 23, 2013
Fall International Application Deadline: 
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Contact Information: 

University of Colorado Boulder
Environmental Studies Program
Benson Earth Sciences, Room 246A
Box 397 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0397
Phone 303-735-1043
Fax 303-492-5207

Website: 
envs.colorado.edu
Email: 
envsgrad@colorado.edu
Where To Send Your Materials: 

Application Mailing Instructions

Domestic Applicants:

Transcripts and other supporting materials required by your department should be sent directly to Graduate Admissions. Transcripts must be official copies and should include ALL post-secondary academic work completed to date, including courses appearing as transfer credit on other transcripts, credits earned in study abroad programs, and courses taken for college credit while in high school. Copies of transcripts mailed in unsealed envelopes and sent directly by applicants are NOT official transcripts.

For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:

Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122
553 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0553 USA

For overnight or express mail (DHL, FEDEX, UPS):

Graduate Admissions             
University of Colorado Boulder                     
3100 Marine Street - 553 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  (303) 492-6301
  

All International Applicants

Transcripts and other supporting materials required by your department should be sent directly to Office of Admissions/International.  Transcripts must be official copies and should include ALL post-secondary academic work completed to date, including courses appearing as transfer credit on other transcripts, credits earned in study abroad programs, and courses taken for college credit while in high school. Copies of transcripts mailed in unsealed envelopes and sent directly by applicants are NOT official transcripts.

For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:

Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122
65 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0065 USA

Overnight/Express Mailing Address (DHL, UPS, Fedex)          

Office of Admissions/International               
University of Colorado Boulder                     
3100 Marine Street - 65 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA
303-492-6301