Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management (ESM)

The Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management (ESM) is an exceptional degree program that offers students a flexible and personalized education, centered on devising innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues, and equipping them with the skills needed to pursue rewarding careers in the field of environmental science and management. The curriculum is designed around a core of science, policy, and management courses, supplemented by a range of elective classes. In addition, students can opt for a concentration in one of the following areas:

The Traditional ESM concentration, which emphasizes regulatory compliance, pollution prevention, and control, and equips students with practical skills and knowledge required to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of environmental science and management.

The Conservation Biology concentration is geared towards field studies and offers students the opportunity to take more science electives, providing them with a broad-based understanding of the natural world and the tools required to tackle ecological challenges.

The Research concentration is intended for students who wish to focus on a particular research topic, and who are keen to produce a graduate-level thesis. This concentration offers a unique opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of specific issues and to make a meaningful contribution to the field of environmental science and management.

Learn More and Apply Now

 

Admission Information

General Overview

CERE welcomes applications on a semi-rolling basis for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. We are committed to promptly communicating your admissions decision as soon as we receive your application and supporting documents. In light of the competitive applicant pool, we urge you to complete and submit your application at the earliest opportunity. 

ESM student, Gabriella is a native Pittsburgher. She enjoys Duquesne's convenient location as well as conducting high-level research alongside her supportive professors. 

Application Deadlines

  • Fall admission: July 1
  • March 1: for full consideration for financial aid
  • Summer admission: March 1

    Please note that these deadlines are strongly suggested but applications will be processed and reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to one month before the start of classes. (Exception: International students must follow the above deadlines.)

    Assistantships

    Between one and six Assistantships, with tuition credits and stipends, are available every year to full-time students. Applicants interested in assistantships must apply by the aforementioned deadlines. Email envscienceFREEDUQUESNE for more information about Assistantships. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Environmental Science and Management Graduate Program should have an undergraduate degree with a basic foundation in biology, chemistry, environmental studies, and mathematics. While you are not required to have an undergraduate science degree, you are required to have the following pre-requisite courses for regular acceptance into the program:

  • General Biology I with Lab
  • General Biology II with Lab
  • General Chemistry I with Lab
  • General Chemistry II with Lab
  • An Environmental Studies or Environmental Science course
  • Calculus and/or Statistics

Applicants to the Certificate Programs in Environmental Management or Environmental Science are not required to have the above pre-requisite courses. Instead, applicants should have at least completed one college-level Algebra course. If you lack these prerequisites, you may still be accepted into the program as a provisional student, but will be required to complete the courses before becoming a regular student. Applicants will be considered on the basis of their academic record, communication skills, motivation, and aptitude for laboratory research. Applicants with serious undergraduate course deficiencies may be required to correct these prior to admission into the program. The Admissions Committee looks forward to reviewing your application. Please ensure that you submit a complete application with all items listed below. Applications that are missing any of the following items cannot be considered for an admissions decision.

The Application Process

l. Submit the University application. Complete our online application. There is no fee required to submit your application.

Please submit the additional documents outlined below to the following address:
Bayer School of Natural & Environmental Sciences
100 Mellon Hall
Duquesne University
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Telephone: 412-396-4095
Fax: 412-396-4881

II. A Statement of Purpose, approximately 250 words, describing your goals and objectives for enrolling in this program.

III. All official transcripts, for all undergraduate and any graduate courses. No copies are accepted. Students who attended institutions inside the United States must have the institution's Office of the Registrar send Official Transcripts be send directly to Duquesne.

Students who attended institutions outside of the United States must have all transcripts officially evaluated by an approved transcript evaluation provider and sent to Duquesne University directly from that provider. Please review our Transcript Credential Evaluation Directions.  

IV. Two letters of recommendation. In addition, please have each reference submit a completed recommendation form. At least one of these letters should be from academia (for example a former professor or research mentor).

V. Official GRE scores are required for admission for students that have completed their undergraduate degree in the last five years. (Waivers may be accepted in certain cases - please email envscience@duq.edu for more information.) Please have official GRE scores sent from ETS using code 2196 only (a department code isn't needed). A subject test is optional. 

April 2020 - Due to the public health crisis, online GRE scores are currently being accepted.

VI. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY - Your application package must also contain the following:

  • Official Internet-based (iBT) TOEFL scores that are current to one year. Please review Duquesne University's English Language Proficiency requirements. Before classes begin, International students and any non-native speakers of the English language (including Lawful Permanent Residents) will be required to take the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) test. On occasion students with exceptionally high speaking portions of the TOEFL may be waived from the SPEAK test.
  • Duquesne University Affidavit of Support Form completed in full and an official bank statement. The affidavit of support form is a legal document that a student's sponsor must complete and have notarized and certified. The bank statement must be from the sponsor and show at least one full year of costs. Estimates of costs for the academic year are available from our Office of International Programs.
  • International Student Form.

April 2020 - Due to the public health crisis, the Duolingo English Test, which can be taken remotely, will be accepted as an English Proficiency Exam.