Though the earth may seem limitless, we’re reminded nearly every day that it is fragile and finite. By recognizing the planet’s marvels while respecting its limits, our concentration in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management will prepare you to better understand and manage environmental problems. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranks us #1 in this area.
#1for Environmental Policy and Management, U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Your studies in this concentration will combine skill-based courses in public policy, management, and environmental affairs with select training in the environmental sciences. You will also develop a core area of knowledge in a sub-discipline such as lake and watershed management, forest ecology, environmental chemistry, or hazardous materials.
30EPNRM MPA STUDENTS (Spring 2021)
1:6FACULTY: STUDENT RATIO (2021)
98%ALL O’NEILL MPA PLACEMENT RATE (2021)
You’ll begin by mastering the fundamentals reflected in the MPA program’s core competencies. These five courses (15 credit hours) will give you well-developed analytical skills and a broad understanding of policy issues and government processes. In addition to these highly transferable core skills, the Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management concentration includes electives and required courses in five areas.
Working with your advisor, you will select from the following course options. This is not an exhaustive list. To see all options, go to course descriptions, below.
Combining your Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management concentration with another MPA concentration—such as Policy Analysis or Sustainability & Sustainable Development—can offer you unique advantages in pursuing your specific career goals. As they help you design your program, our faculty will work to accommodate your specialized professional interests.
The above are examples of your course options. For a complete listing, see the official Indiana University Graduate Bulletin and work with your advisor as you make your schedule.
The O’Neill MPA program offers far more than traditional lectures and lessons. You'll benefit from experiential learning, typically through an approved internship. What's more, your concentration's course work will culminate in a project-oriented course—a O’Neill capstone—that lets you apply the knowledge you gained throughout the program, gaining practical career experience before you graduate.
You can join the O’Neill Environmental Management & Sustainable Development Association, one of many professional student organizations that offer networking and current information on events in the industry.
Professor Emeritus
Lynton K. Caldwell Professor
Associate Professor
Professor; Director, Environmental Master's Programs
PROJECT MANAGER, ENVIRO FORENSICS LLC
“From courses in environmental law and policy to finance and management, my experience at the O’Neill School provided me with a strong foundation for a successful career as an environmental consultant.”
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER, OFFICE OF AIR QUALITY, INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
“The EPNRM concentration gave me essential background knowledge on various environmental laws and regulations and it also helped me hone my critical thinking skills when it comes to implementing environmental policy.”
DIRECTOR, EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY-MAKING INITIATIVE, BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER
“O’Neill’s environmental policy program provided a jump start to my career in the D.C. policy scene, and was particularly valuable in offering a strong foundation in policy analysis, risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and evaluation.”
