York University
AC-4: Graduate Program

To address and solve some of the most pressing and complex environmental issues, our Environmental Studies graduate degree programs build on an interdisciplinary approach to the environment in which the social sciences, humanities, arts, and natural sciences meet and inform each other. The Master’s program challenges students to look at natural, social and built environments differently. In this self-directed program, centred on an Individual Plan of Study, with an advisor and supervisor, students will learn how to redefine the boundaries of environmental research to create positive social and sustainable change. The MES degree is a full-time, six-term, two-year program. Our objective is to provide a broad array of learning opportunities to give students the competencies, knowledge and skills to excel in their professional careers. In addition to our strengths in urban, regional environmental planning, we give students the chance to expand the boundaries of planning through:
- planning for diversity and social justice – multicultural planning, planning with Indigenous communities, gender planning, and planning in international settings;
- planning for emerging environmental problems – climate change, sustainable energy and food security
- planning with communities – participatory planning, action learning, community organizing, community development, facilitation, negotiation and mediation.

Students can join the diverse doctoral program exploring environmental concerns and approaches related to natural, social, political, cultural, and urban issues. Students have the opportunity to creatively redefine the boundaries of environmental research and analyze how theoretical and practical matters intersect, and how reflexive, rigorous, critical and creative thinking can inform environmental research, practice, policy and change. Our doctoral program follows three stages: Program Plan, Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation.

The Certificate in Cultural and Artistic Practices for Environmental and Social Justice (CAP) prepares students to collaborate with communities to make art of all forms, to express diverse identities, to explore and take action on social and environmental issues.

This certificate allows students to develop creative artistic skills, deepen your social analysis and learn to work collaboratively with community arts groups. Students will gain real-world experience in placements with local cultural agencies and community organizations.

This certificate will teach you to use art as a tool for expressing diverse identities, for developing community awareness about environmental issues and to take action for social change. Students will take courses offered through the Faculties of Environmental & Urban Change and the School of the Arts, Performance, Media & Design to develop artistic skills while working collaboratively on a community-based cultural production in their final year of study.

The Certificate in Climate Solutions and Sustainable Energy includes training in energy efficiency, renewable and distributed energy resources and community energy and climate change planning. The Climate Solutions and Sustainable Energy Certificate will provide training on the policy, economic, scientific, technical, legal, and managerial dimensions of the climate crisis and sustainable energy solutions to it, including hands-on applied training. Key learning outcomes of the Climate Solutions and Sustainable Energy Certificate are:

- Recognize the urgency and complexity of the climate crisis
- Engage with conventional and alternative management models and governance & policy structures to identify, evaluate, propose and implement effective strategies.
- Understand of the structure of energy systems
- Work collaboratively to address the climate crisis and advance sustainable energy solutions effectively and accurately
- Develop critical thinking, leadership and active participation skills for project management, community initiatives and knowledge production in relation to the climate crisis and sustainable energy solutions.

The Schulich School of Business and the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) have recently partnered to offer a NEW linked program that allows high achieving students to acquire four years of specialized knowledge in any of EUC’s degree programs and then grow their business expertise with Schulich’s one-year Master of Management. Students are eligible to apply for ALL degree programs offered by EUC. Learn more here: https://euc.yorku.ca/programs/euc-schulich-pathway-to-master-of-management-mmgt-program/