Online Environmental Policy Graduate Certificate
Overview
The Online Environmental Policy Graduate Certificate provides students a foundation in public policy and the environment while introducing environmental issues of local, state, regional, national, and global concern. The curriculum is desgined to meet certain learning competencies, which can be reviewed in the Environment Competencies document.
A completed graduate certificate waives the GRE requirement for those considering application to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program. In addition, each class counted towards the graduate certificate will be accepted into the MPP program (for certificate holders who apply and are accepted into the MPP program) so long as the student earned a 3.0 (B average) or higher in the course.
All applicants to the Online Environmental Policy Graduate Certificate must fulfill the program's Admissions requirements. The links provided describe in detail what applicants must do and provide in order to be admitted into the program.
Program information
The Online Environmental Policy Graduate Certificate provides students with competency in the following areas:
- Developing an understanding of the genesis and purposes of environmental policy;
- Develop the ability to analyze, synthezise, think critically, and make decisions about environmental issues;
- Fostering the development and implementation of environmentally sound policies and practices; and
- Communicating, leading, and managing the public governance aspects of environmental policy.
Successful completion of the certificate should enhance a student's current career or aid in the development of new job skills.
Courses in Environmental Policy further students' critical analysis skills through combined study of ecological issues and equitable policy practices.
Two (2) Required Courses:
- POL 500 - Public Institutions and the Policy Process
- POL 562 - Environmental Policy
Choose two (2) electives from the following list:
- POL 611 - Administrative Law
- POL 661 - Environmental Law
- POL 663 - Ocean Policy and Law
*Note on POL611 Administrative Law: Certificate students wishing to apply to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program after completion of the certificate must apply this course to the core course requirements of the MPP. This will necessitate students taking another concentration course in order to satisfy the MPP requirements. For more information please see the Online Master of Public Policy..
Detailed course descriptions can be viewed on our Course Descriptions page.
Fall
| Course | Offered |
|---|---|
| POL 500 Public Institutions and the Policy Process | First 7 Weeks of Semester |
| POL 663 Ocean Policy and Law | Second 7 Weeks of Semester |
Winter
| Course | Offered |
|---|---|
| POL 611 Administrative Law | Expedited 3 Week Semester |
Spring
| Course | Offered |
|---|---|
| POL 500 Public Institutions and the Policy Process | First 7 Weeks of Semester |
| POL 562 Environmental Policy | First 7 Weeks of Semester |
| POL 661 Environmental Law | Second 7 Weeks of Semester |
Summer
| Course | Offered |
|---|---|
| POL 611 Administrative Law | Expedited 3 Week Semester |
Attention Students: Course offering schedules are subject to change, and in such cases this information will be updated. Any changes in schedule will respect the commitment that a student can complete the certificate in two semesters. Please refer to Online & Continuing Education for information on upcoming courses.
General advising information can be found on the department's advisement page.
You can track your progress by using the Environmental Policy Certificate Tracking Form (PDF).
Students matriculating into the graduate certificate in environmental policy have options in how they combine the two elective courses in the certificate program to create a particular "track" or "emphasis" in environmental policy based on current course offerings. Below are examples of how courses can be combined to achieve an emphasis in a particular area:
Frameworks of Environmental Law & Policy
- POL 500 (Generally offered both Fall and Spring semesters)
- POL 562 (Offered every Spring semester only)
- POL 611 (Winter or "Maymester" 3-week sessions)
- POL 661 (Generally offered every Spring semester, and sometimes during Summer intersession)
Ocean Law & Policy
- POL 500 (Generally offered both Fall and Spring semesters)
- POL 562 (Offered every Spring semester only)
- POL 611 (Winter or "Maymester" 3-week sessions)
- POL 663 (Offered every Fall semester only)
Students are free to choose any combination of elective courses to complete their certificate requirements.
*Note: Certificate students wishing to apply to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program after completion of the certificate must apply POL 611 (Administrative Law) to the core course requirements of the MPP. This will necessitate students taking another concentration course in order to satisfy the MPP requirements.
When students are close to completing their studies and plan to graduate, they will need to declare their intention to graduate.
A completed graduate certificate waives the GRE requirement, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and transcript retrieval for those considering application to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program. In addition, each class counted towards the graduate certificate will be accepted into the MPP program (for certificate holders who apply and are accepted into the MPP program) so long as the student earned a 3.0 (B average) or higher in the course.
Students successfully completing the graduate certificate in environmental policy who wish to apply to the MPP program are expected to achieve a B (3.0) or higher in each of the four (4) courses taken to comprise the graduate certificate program. Students who fail to meet this minimum requirement are unlikely to be admitted to the MPP program. Apply to the MPP now at Online & Continuing Education.