University of Oregon
AC-4: Graduate Program

Our doctoral program in Environmental Sciences, Studies, and Policy (ESSP) offers a unique opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary research on environmental topics and issues while gaining a thorough grounding in the methods and knowledge base of a traditional discipline. Each student designs an individualized curriculum responsive to their educational and career goals.

Our program prepares students for academic positions in their focal discipline or in interdisciplinary programs, for research occupations, and for leadership roles in creating and implementing environmental solutions in the private sector. Recent graduates of our program now hold academic positions at Oberlin, University of Alaska, Ursinus, Villanova, and Yale.

ESSP students gain a foundation in the methods of a particular discipline through their “focal” department courses. Any PhD-granting department at the University of Oregon (except for Environmental Studies) may serve as a focal department. Since our program requires close collaboration between Environmental Studies and the focal department, applicants must be approved by both programs. For more information about the focal department structure of our program, visit About Focal Departments.

Our master’s program in Environmental Studies offers a unique opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary study of environmental topics and issues. Each student designs an individualized curriculum responsive to their educational and career goals. The degree typically takes two years to complete.

Students who succeed in our program typically are self-starters, have academic and/or work experience that has given them a foundation of skills and led them to specific goals for their graduate program, and are collaborative and like working with others.

Most students in our master’s program are aided by teaching or research assistantships (Graduate Employee appointments) that provide a tuition waiver, stipend, and benefits. Read more about graduate student funding and research support.

In addition to the flexible and interdisciplinary nature of our curriculum, students are supported by the world-class environmental resources of our university, the strong sense of community among the Environmental Studies students, faculty, and staff, and the environmental research opportunities and natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Our curriculum emphasizes understanding landscapes across multiple scales and contexts to support innovative design, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving. We approach design as a process of discovery, characterized by questioning, creating, testing, and evaluating. We strive to create environments that fulfill human needs and potential, and are ecologically responsive and socially just.

Our Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) programs prepare students for careers in:

professional firms
city, state, regional and federal agencies
non-governmental organizations
faculty at major universities

Architecture MArch/MS and PHD, https://archenvironment.uoregon.edu/architecture/graduate;
Biology MS and PhD, http://biology.uoregon.edu/graduate/grad.php;
Environmental and Natural Resource Law, http://enr.uoregon.edu;
Green Business MBA, http://business.uoregon.edu/mba/;
Green Chemistry MS and PhD, https://chemistry.uoregon.edu/graduate/.

Sustainability at the University of Oregon is not a new concept. It's why we have a Center for Sustainable Business Practices that supports our top-ranked Green MBA program.

Here, we take sustainability seriously. It's why we teach our students to identify innovative ideas and better materials and to think about sustainability from a business perspective—and a human one. We’ve been teaching and practicing sustainable business for almost three decades, creating leaders who know how to balance social, environmental and financial responsibilities.

For us, the market demand for transparency, sustainability, and business responsiveness just makes sense. And Oregon—with its natural beauty, array of outdoor opportunities, and appreciation for the environment—continues to be a nexus of sustainable business management practices and innovations.

Those who are interested in environmental and natural resources law and policy are passionate about conservation, climate change, and sustainability on earth. The concentration in Environmental Law guides you through a customizable and innovative course-load to prepare for a career in environmental law and policy. A statement of completion in environmental law will lay a foundation and help distinguish you with employers as you proceed throughout your career.

This field of interest addresses the policies and plans that affect our natural environment and ecological systems. This may include work in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Environmental Studies, Business, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Political Science, Economics, Law, and Geography. Students may also obtain the Ecological Design Certificate.