Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy
Gain a substantive breadth in knowledge and skills at the intersection of environmental science and policy.
Program Overview
Northeastern’s Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy, a joint program between the College of Science’s Department of Marine and Environmental Science and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities’ School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, provides interdisciplinary training and environmental problem-solving expertise to the next generation of environmental professionals.
Format and Location
On ground
Boston, MA
Commitment
1.5 Years (with optional co-op)
Part time, Full time
Entry Terms
Fall, Spring
Shape the future of the environment
94%
94% of our graduates secure employment opportunities soon after completing their degree. (2021 graduate survey data)
20%
A master’s degree holder can expect to earn an average of 20 percent more than someone who has only earned their bachelor’s degree. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).
8%
Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 8% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).
Course Requirements
The Master of Science Environmental Science and Policy requires 36 credits for completion. Students take nine classes across three semesters. In addition, there are two required seminar classes, two skills classes, and two department-based electives.
Students are then able to take three interdisciplinary courses from any college at Northeastern. This opportunity gives learners the chance to expand their horizons and apply environmental science and policy to various disciplines and future career paths.
Environmental Policy
Focus:
- Policy Science and Analysis related to environmental management
- Regulations
Potential career paths:
- Federal, state, local government
- NGOs
- Corporate institutions
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Focus:
- Environmental management
- Climate change
- Food systems
- Equity in sustainability
- Corporate government sustainability
Potential career paths:
- Federal, state, local government
- Small non-profits
- Large and international NGOs
- Environmental consulting
- Corporate sustainability roles
Ecology and Marine Science
Focus:
- Environmental management
- Research
- Climate change
- Marine systems
- Water resource management
Potential career paths:
- Federal, state, and local government
- NGOs
- Environmental consulting
- Research institutions
Program Director
Associate Teaching Professor
Director, MS in Environmental Science and Policy
Admissions Information
Application Requirements
- Online application
- Application fee
- All transcripts
- Personal statement
- Resumé
- 2 letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency
- GRE not required
Financing and Scholarships
Future tuition costs, fees, and standard student budget amounts may differ from year to year.
There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more.
Application Deadlines
Fall Admission
- International: July 1
- Domestic: August 1
Spring Admission
- International: November 1
- Domestic: December 1
Ready to apply?
A graduate degree can take your career to the next level.
My time at Palmer Capital during my renewable energy co-op was a truly remarkable opportunity. This immersive experience deepened my understanding of the field and helped me identify a sector that I hope to explore further in my future endeavors.
Alicia Bustamente, MS Environmental Science and Policy ’23
Meet our Faculty
Browse All MES Faculty-
Chengfei He
I’m a climate modeler with a passion for advancing our comprehension of climate change.I began my Ph.D. in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. However, due to my advisor’s new faculty appointment, I transferred to The Ohio State University, where I ultimately received my Ph.D. Prior to this, I […] -
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Damon Hall
My research and teaching focus on the human dimensions of sustainability challenges where science, policy, and culture meet. I am interested in questions about how to make knowledge useful for sustainable transitions. My work addresses two related themes: (1) the representation and communication of social–ecological systems in decision making and (2) meaningful stakeholder participation in […] -
Gabriela Garcia
Research in Gabriela Garcia’s group is positioned at the intersection of today’s biodiversity, food security, and climate crises. As shifting precipitation patterns and extreme events disrupt agroecosystem function and threaten farmer livelihoods, they advance a predictive framework for understanding how socio-ecological systems respond to disturbance. The group integrates ecological fieldwork, qualitative interview analyses, and large-scale […] -
Mariana Valencia Mestre
I have a strong interest in sustainable food systems, agroecology, plant-human interactions, and the advancement of sustainable agricultural systems. During my Ph.D. studies, I investigated spontaneous silvo-pastoral systems in the Republic of Panama. These systems, long practiced by cattle ranchers, involve the intercropping of pasture grasses, cattle, trees, and food crops. To understand the motivations […] -
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Cristina Schultz
Cristina Schultz studies the influence of climate change and variability on ocean biogeochemistry using a combination of models and observational data. Her focus is on understanding the feedbacks between ocean ecosystems, sediment, and circulation, and their influence on the carbon and oxygen cycles. Understanding the mechanisms that affect the carbon cycle in the ocean is […] -
Remy Gatins
My research is broadly focused on the ecology and evolution of marine organisms. I am interested in understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that drive biodiversity patterns in a rapidly changing environment at the genomic, population, and species-level. Evolutionary processes such as adaptation and speciation—the process by which new species arise—depend on the population’s genetic […]
Earn your master’s degree at Northeastern
Student Stories
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Q&A with Alicia Bustamante, MS Environmental Science and Policy
Alicia Bustamante shares her experience as a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy. -
Q&A with Nishaila Porter, MS in Environmental Science and Policy
Nishaila Porter shares her experience in the College of Science Master’s of Science in Environmental Science and Policy program. -
Q&A with Hannah Crawford, MS in Environmental Science and Policy
Hannah Crawford shares her Northeastern experience in the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy program, one of our professional master’s program offerings. -
Q&A with Greg Coppola, MS Environmental Science and Policy
Gregory Coppoola shares his NU experience at COS. -
Q & A with Troy Langknecht, MS in Environmental Science and Policy
Q & A with Troy Langknecht, Environmental Science and Policy student.
Upcoming Events
All Events-
Jul 23College of Science
STEM Summer Camp In The UK | London International Youth Science Forum CIC
July 23, 2025, 10:00 am -
Jul 25