Environment - Master of the Environment (MENV)

The Master of the Environment (MENV) Graduate Program at the University of Colorado Boulder is an innovative, interdisciplinary professional master’s degree that equips students with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to address the complex environmental challenges of the 21st century. This 21-month, immersive, cohort-based graduate program develops students into leaders in a wide range of careers in conservation, consulting, energy, natural resources, planning, policy, sustainability and more. 

The MENV program focuses on application and problem solving, and the curriculum is comprised of four components:

• Core courses
• Required specialization courses in one of five specializations
• Electives
• Capstone project

Throughout the program, students develop and hone their skills and leadership capacities through experiential learning, theory and foundational knowledge building, professional development opportunities, career mentoring, and capstone project in lieu of a thesis.

Students become conversant in the language, knowledge, theory, techniques, and methodologies of various disciplines while developing general analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and the adaptability that is indispensable to professional and career success.

MENV provides a foundation of multidisciplinary knowledge and communication and analytical skills that enable students to address increasingly complex sustainability challenges in a wide range of professional careers.

In addition, the MENV program values a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and is deeply committed to diversifying our student body, faculty, and staff; improving the equity of our systems; and creating an inclusive culture in the program, on CU Boulder’s campus, and in the environmental sector at-large.

For more information, visit the Master of the Environment website.

Requirements

Application Requirements

To be considered for the MENV program, students must have a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or the international equivalent. We recommend a minimum of one year of professional experience or applicable training prior to applying. The MENV program selects students who we believe will achieve academic and professional success while adding value to the graduate community. The MENV program selects talented and diverse candidates through a holistic review of the application materials. Decisions are based on academic and professional backgrounds, as well as individuals' potential to contribute both inside and outside of the classroom.

Program Requirements

Students must complete at least 48 credit hours of coursework during the 24-month program, to include:

• Core courses 
• Required specialization courses in one of five specializations
• Electives
• Capstone project

Courses

Capstone Project

All MENV students complete a nine-month capstone project. These projects provide students with hands-on experiences embedded within an external sponsoring organization while also providing client organizations with specific solutions to identified environmental, sustainability, and business challenges. Deliverables might include management plans, models, analyses, prototypes, or proof-of-concept projects.

Program Tracks

Urban Resilience & Sustainability

This specialization track prepares students for careers as resilience and sustainability leaders, designing, implementing and leading resilience and sustainability policies, programs and plans, and engaging and inspiring others to work toward a bold vision of what could be but isn’t yet.

Learning Outcomes

MENV students will develop an understanding of the interconnections and feedback loops within human and natural systems. Specific learning goals will be to:

• Develop a place-based understanding. Students will understand and apply different approaches to thinking about places and their identities, specifically considering how context affects thinking about environmental issues and creation of appropriate solutions.
• Learn and practice new methods and techniques in a wide array of environmental applications.
• Apply understanding of the dominant structures, processes, and dynamics within and between environmental, social and economic systems.
• Analyze contemporary concerns about the environment.
• Create and evaluate new ideas to promote their own or others’ engagement in the environment and to find solutions to today’s pressing problems.