University of Texas at Austin
AC-4: Graduate Program

The Graduate Program of the Department of Geography and the Environment prepares highly qualified students for competitive research and teaching positions at academic and other professional institutions. Faculty and graduate students have contributed in many ways to understanding and managing earth’s diverse cultural and physical environments, ranging from local to global scales across the full range of human history. Current areas of faculty research include Space, Place, and Social Worlds; Environmental Changes and Surface Processes; and Digital Landscapes. The faculty has always had a strong international orientation and is especially well prepared to guide students in field based research in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and the Southwestern and Western regions of the United States. The Department encourages interdisciplinary and collaborative work, taking advantage of the University’s extensive scholarly resources.

The Sustainable Design program at the University of Texas at Austin integrates three areas of inquiry related to the built environment — natural systems, building systems, and cultural systems. The study of natural systems relies upon the disciplines of physics and ecology as they relate to architecture. The study of building systems includes investigation of those component technologies that are required to construct environmentally responsive architecture. The study of cultural systems requires that natural and building systems be investigated within the complex social and political context of architectural practice. In sum, the Sustainable Design Program is practical, technical, and philosophical in scope. This degree plan is intended for those students who wish to prepare for a related PhD program, plan to work in public policy, or pursue activism related to sustainable architecture or urbanism. It is a non-professional research-oriented rather than design oriented program. A background in architecture or design is desirable but not required.

The Master of Global Policy Studies (MGPS) degree at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs is a path-breaking program designed to equip professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to be leaders in an increasingly interdependent world. The MGPS degree goes beyond traditional international affairs programs to offer a multidisciplinary approach to the complex economic, political, technological, and social issues of the 21st century and considers the full range of influences on contemporary global policy – governments, private industry, and non-governmental organizations. Graduates will become leaders in government, business and international organizations by acquiring core professional skills and expertise tailored to the contemporary global environment.

The Graduate Portfolio Program in Sustainability provides Master and Doctoral students at The University of Texas at Austin with a trans-disciplinary framework to study and research issues related to sustainability. The program supplements a student's graduate work, similar to a minor area of study or a certificate. Objectives of the program include: -- Provide a cohesive plan of study in sustainability; -- Prepare students for leadership roles in academic and professional practice; -- Foster trans-disciplinary research and dialogue between graduate students and participating faculty members interested in sustainability; and -- Assist students in publishing research on sustainability topics

The Integrated Watershed Studies Graduate Portfolio Program (IWSGPP) provides graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin the opportunity to supplement their current degree program with an interdisciplinary study of watershed issues. GPP students complete requirements comprised of coursework, field experience, and a research paper and presentation all focused on integrated watershed challenges. Through this additional focused study, GPP students are able to take advantage of UT-Austin's resources and learn from both the unique local landscape of Central Texas and their fellow students from other disciplines. As a result, GPP students complete the program with a broader understanding of water issues. GPP students also give a professional presentation on their research.

The McCombs School of Business concentration in social enterprise offers students insight into the industry through unique courses and events and prepares them for career opportunities related to this concentration - everything from the CSR departments of major corporations and non-profit organizations to environmental management and sustainability groups in a wide range of companies. Other opportunities include public policy and economics departments, ethics management, corporate compliance offices, social enterprise project management and community relations management. Students can add to their social enterprise experience by taking relevant elective classes in the LBJ School, participating in a Texas MBA+ project relating to CSR initiatives or attending the annual Sustainability Summit.

The name and website URLs of all other graduate-level, sustainability-focused minors, concentrations and certificates Air Resources Emphasis - Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (MSE/PhD) http://www.ce.utexas.edu/ewre/courses.cfm#air_quality Building Energy and Environments Program -- Architectural Engineering (MSE) https://www.caee.utexas.edu/prospective/graduate/research/70-research/research-areas/bee Certificate in Global Energy, International Arbitration, and Environmental Law - Master of Laws Program http://www.utexas.edu/law/centers/energy/students/llm-certificate/ Clean Energy Materials Thrust - Materials Science and Engineering (MS,PhD) http://tmi.utexas.edu/clean-energy-materials/ CleanTech Concentration - Business Administration (MBA)http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Full-Time/Program-Information/Curriculum/~/link.aspx?_id=8530D3F521834885A62783F91E84D73A&_z=z Climate Systems Science - Geological Science (MA, MS, PhD) http://www.ig.utexas.edu/jsg/css_jsg/index.html Energy Finance Concentration -- Business Administration (MBA) http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Full-Time/Program-Information/Curriculum/~/link.aspx?_id=F4FB1C4C736C4E188CAD2D49819310D1&_z=z Environmental Engineering Science Emphasis - Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (MSE/PhD) http://www.ce.utexas.edu/ewre/courses.cfm Environmental Planning for Sustainable Communities Specialization - Community and Regional Planning (MSCRP) http://soa.utexas.edu/crp/specializations#comm Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Concentration -- Business Administration (MBA) http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Full-Time/Program-Information/Curriculum/~/link.aspx?_id=0EF515FE7DDC4AB186263D2F42189687&_z=z Indoor Environmental Science and Engineering Program (IGERT) http://www.ce.utexas.edu/IGERT/ Natural Resources and the Environment Specialization - Public Affairs (MPAff) http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/degreeprograms/mpaff/specializations Policy and Law Module - Energy and Earth Resources (MA) http://www.jsg.utexas.edu/eer/course-requirements/ Post Professional Degree Program in Sustainable Design (M.Arch II, PP)http://soa.utexas.edu/sustainabledesign/curriculum Resource Economics and Econometrics Module - Energy and Earth Resources (MA) http://www.jsg.utexas.edu/eer/course-requirements/ Sustainable Design Emphasis - First Professional Degree Program in Architecture (M.Arch. I, E) http://soa.utexas.edu/sustainabledesign/curriculum Sustainable Design Specialization - First Professional Degree Program in Architecture (M.Arch. I, S) http://soa.utexas.edu/sustainabledesign/curriculum Texas MBA+ Leadership Program http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Full-Time/Program-Information/Hands-On-Experience/MBA-Plus-Program.aspx Land Use, Transportation, and Infrastructure Planning Specialization - Community and Regional Planning (MSCRP) http://soa.utexas.edu/crp/specializations#comm Treatment Processes Emphasis - Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (MSE/PhD) http://www.caee.utexas.edu/ewre/ Water Quality Management Emphasis - Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (MSE/PhD) http://www.caee.utexas.edu/ewre/ Water Resources Emphasis - Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (MSE/PhD) http://www.caee.utexas.edu/ewre/

UT Austin's Sustainability Directory serves as an inventory of degree plans related to sustainability: http://www.utexas.edu/sustainability/directory/