Master's in Earth System Science & Policy Requirements (M.E.M)

Admission Requirements

The Master of Environmental Management is a Professional Master’s Degree Program (PSM) designed for students seeking a non-research-based master’s degree, and is particularly suited for those who are working professionals interested in expanding their knowledge based, critical thinking ability, and technical skill. This program is geared towards those with a strong background in environmental and sustainability science, and environmental policy by providing advanced quantitative and analytical knowledge, integrated geospatial technology skills, and a breath of professional component that includes business, economics, and communication. This program is recognized and approved by the National Professional Science Master’s Association.

Applicants who are seeking admission to the School of Graduate Studies must meet all the minimum general education requirements identified in the graduate catalog. In addition, students must fulfill the requirements below for admission to the Earth System Science and Policy M.E.M. degree program.

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Have satisfactorily completed a minimum of college-level algebra plus 3 credits of college statistics or calculus.
3. Have completed a minimum of 6 semester credit hours in natural sciences and 6 semester credits in social sciences, e.g., economics, sociology, psychology, political science, anthropology/archeology, or related fields.
4. Have earned a minimum average GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, on all upper division college-level coursework.
5. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Environmental Management degree through the Department of Earth System Science & Policy at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Earth System Science & Policy Department.

The overarching goal of the Professional Science Master degree: Master of Environmental Management is to offer an interdisciplinary-oriented education required by professionals who are working towards a sustainable management of Earth's systems and resources. Much of the responsibility for learning rests upon the student.

1. A minimum of 36 credits is required, including six credits for an Internship/applied project.
2. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500 level.
3. A maximum of nine semester credits may be transferred from another institution.
4. By the end of the first semester the student will select a chair of her/his Advisory Committee and, in consultation with that chair, recommend two members to serve on the Advisory Committee by the end of the second semester.
5. Students must file an approved program of study with the School of Graduate Studies at the end of the second semester.
6. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 from the start of the graduate program in ESSP, and comply with the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies. Grades poorer than “C” will not be accepted as fulfilling degree requirements.
7. A minimum of 18 credits of advanced disciplinary coursework, including the Internship/applied project, selected in collaboration with the student’s advisor and approved by the program’s graduate director. At least two courses have to be selected out of five possible ESSP graduate core courses. 

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   ESSP 503	Environmental Policy & Science	3
   ESSP 504	The Biosphere	3
   ESSP 505	Energy Issues and Earth Systems	3
   ESSP 506	Ecosystem Services: Valuing Nature in a Market Society	3
   ESSP 507	Earth Systems Processes and Vulnerability Analysis	3

8. Up to 9 credits of PSM Quantitative/Analytic core courses selected in collaboration with the student’s advisor and approved by the program’s graduate director.
9. Up to 9 credits of Professional Knowledge and skills PSM core courses selected in collaboration with the student’s advisor and approved by the program’s graduate director.
10. Internship/Applied project defense proposal: students will complete a written and oral presentation to introduce and defend their Internship/Applied project.  These will occur no later than one month before leaving for the internship or beginning working on the applied project and will entail a written description and an oral presentation of their intended internship/M.E.M. project.
11. Preparation of a comprehensive written report of the internship/applied project with an appropriate organization. The written report will be in the form of an Independent Study Report, following the guidelines and procedures set by the School of Graduate Studies.
12. A formal defense of the student’s internship/applied project. Students shall also provide the ESSP internship/applied project evaluation form completed and signed by their internship/applied project advisor.