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Environmental Policy Program

Students participating in the environmental policy program investigate the science, philosophical, legal, economic and political dimensions of environmental issues. The program's interdisciplinary focus prepares students to work effectively with people from diverse academic, cultural and occupational backgrounds to effectively address the world's complex environmental challenges.

All students in the Environmental Policy specialization first develop the core skills necessary for creating and implementing public policies. Then, building on these fundamentals, they focus on ecological economics, international development or other areas related to environment investment or policy making.

According to program director, Professor Matthias Ruth, many students come to the program from a technical background. “They are seeking environmental policy as a way of bridging specific science knowledge with a more policy relevant education,” he says

It is an objective near and dear to Ruth's own agenda for the program. “We want to make sure that the next generation of decision-makers know science and policy, and not just one or the other .” Expanding on this agenda, the School recently established with the Department of Biology a joint program in sustainable development, conservation biology and public policy and in conjunction with the A. James Clark School of Engineering a master's degree in engineering and public policy, both of which Ruth co-directs.

Students in the Environmental Policy program have the opportunity to engage in real and relevant research from next door to around the globe. Examples range from research on the effects of nutrient runoff on oyster populations of the Chesapeake Bay to research in New Zealand on how climate change impacts infrastructure. Students have participated in internships/co-ops with such prestigious organizations as the EPA, the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Department of Energy, Conservation International and the World Wildlife Fund, just to name a few.

Recent graduates from the program have gone on to professional careers with such organizations as the Environmental Council of States, Maryland Department of Planning, U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Environmental Trust, the U.S. National Park Service, and a wide range of private sector companies.

A Desire to Use Environmental Policy on a Global Scale: One Student's Story

“I served in the Peace Corps from 2000-2002 and worked with environmental NGOs and small and medium-sized business development. What excites me most about international development and environmental policy is that developing countries are just getting started with their environmental policies.  

I saw in Ukraine nascent environmental policies, and their effects on the ground. I was inspired to study this area because I thought it would be a great career helping developing countries design environmental policies and programs using the lessons learned from developed countries. I also am very interested in how countries can grow economically while minimizing environmental impact and permanent resource depletion.  

I hope to assist developing countries and donor agencies and NGOs design and implement effective programs in economic development, environmental protection, and sustainable resource use.  I want to be a practitioner and work in developing countries.” – William Varettoni, Ph.D. student in policy studies and master's recipient in sustainable development and conservation biology.