As an MPA-MSES dual-degree student, you’ll complete a 60-credit hour curriculum that includes the following components: core courses and competencies; tool skills; concentration requirements; an experiential requirement; and a capstone project. These components are supplemented by an array of concentration options across both the MPA and MSES degree programs. Please work with an advisor to ensure you are meeting your degree requirements.
Discover an area of study that’s truly your own—and get the best of both worlds
Explore your MPA-MSES specific concentration options
The Energy and Climate Change Solutions concentration prepares you to contribute to areas of climate change and energy through integrated use of science, policy, law, and planning. Courses address climate science, climate-change impacts, energy production, human behavior, analysis, development, and implementation of climate law and policy. You'll also explore possibilities for natural and engineered solutions.
Sample courses:
- Energy Systems
- Energy Economics and Policy
- Renewable and Nuclear Energy
- Fundamentals of Air Pollution
- Vector-based Geographic Information Systems
- Application of Geographic Information Systems
- Physical Climatology
- Wind Power Meteorology
- Climate Change
Experience rigorous scientific training in one of the nation's leading master's programs in policy and management, positioning yourself at the intersection of science, law, policy, economics and communication. You'll utilize state-of-the-art tools to implement concepts learned.
Sample courses:
- Aquatic Chemistry
- Energy Economics and Policy
- Environmental Economics and Policy
- Environmental Law
- Environmental Toxicology
- Forest Ecology and Management
- Fundamentals of Air Pollution
- Hazardous Materials
- Lake and Watershed Management
- Natural Resources Management and Policy
- Negotiations and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs
- Organic Pollutants: Environmental Chemistry and Fate
- Public Natural Resources Law
- Restoration Ecology
- Risk Communication
- Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
- Water Law
- Wetlands Ecology and Management
- Water Policy and Economics
Gain mathematical and empirical tools necessary to address complex issues marked by interrelated political, environmental, and social aspects.
Sample courses:
- Application of Geographic Information Systems
- Applied Spatial Statistics
- Aquatic Chemistry
- Benefit-Cost Analysis
- Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs
- Environmental Economics and Policy
- Environmental Risk Analysis
- Energy Economics and Policy
- Fundamentals of Air Pollution
- Groundwater Flow Modeling
- Management Science for Public Affairs
- Organic Pollutants: Environmental Chemistry and Fate
- Public Program Evaluation
- Vector-based Geographic Information Systems
Gain an in-depth understanding of the social and ecological complexities of our food system, equipping you with tools to lead through challenges related to nutrition, poverty, climate change, and more. Through this concentration, you'll be prepared for employment in food and/or agriculture at any scale and across any sector.
Sample courses:
- Aquatic Chemistry
- Environmental Toxicology
- Food and Poverty in America
- Food Policy in a Changing World
- Food Systems and Community Resilience
- Forest Ecology and Management
- Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture
- Global Change, Food, and Farming Systems
- Informatics in Disasters and Emergency Response
- Proposal Development and Grant Administration
- Nutritional Anthropology
- Soil Science and Management
- Supply Chain and Distribution
- Wetland Ecology and Management
Gain a mastery in the dynamic field of water resource management—a field that is growing ever more crucial globally. You'll learn to address issues related to water quality, quantity, and access.
Sample courses:
- Aquatic Chemistry
- BMP Design for Healthy Urban Watersheds
- Environmental Economics and Policy
- Groundwater Flow Modeling
- Human Behavior and Energy Consumption
- Lake and Watershed Management
- Limnology
- Natural Resources Management and Policy
- Stream Ecology
- Water Law
- Water Policy and Economics
- Wetlands Ecology and Management
Another way to fulfill the concentration requirement is through the thesis option which you can pursue for between 18-24 credit hours. This option involves research done under the supervision of a principal advisor and thesis committee. You must identify a faculty advisor early in your degree planning for this option—it can also count for your Capstone.
The above are examples of your course options. For a complete listing, see the current curriculum and work with your advisor as you make your schedule.
Let’s talk about your options and career goals!
Connect with a current student
Speak with one of our student ambassadors about their O’Neill experience.
Alumni Spotlight: Jelling Lai, MPA-MSES'09
Description of the video:
To me, O'Neill was a really obvious choice. I remember my first time visiting during Experience Day. Seeing all the faculty and the staff and the current students being so eager and excited to meet prospective students. I think that really gave me a sense of warmth and comfort about a very new and unfamiliar environment. I think since then that sense of community has only deepened and become more concrete.What makes O'Neill special is definitely the people. Even now today, I have contacts in different countries because of the friendships I've made. I got my first job through an O'Neill professor and that's how I got into environmental consulting
I did my undergrad in environmental sciences but focused on geology. I realized I wanted to learn more about the science, but I also wanted to think about impact, because sustainability is about driving impact through people. I wanted the technical skill set of what the environmental policy degree would bring for me. O'Neill was one of the rare schools at the time that offered the joint degree. It really helped me think about application on a large scale. It's also a program that has a lot of variety to offer.
I was very confident that such a reputable program with a rigorous curriculum would bring a very talented cohort - and indeed it did.
After 12 years in environment consulting and a multinational corporation, I'm excited to start a new position with Owens Corning in global sourcing - sustainability standards and compliance.