News & Stories

Spotlight on MPA Program in Environmental Science and Policy

Posted Aug 01 2012

As we approach the end of another summer of courses at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, we invite you to learn more about the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP) program.

This past May, the 62 students comprising the ESP program’s tenth cohort became ESP graduates, joining 550 fellow program alumni. In the same month, we also welcomed 70 new students to the program’s eleventh cohort – the largest class in the history of the program. As the need for dedicated, well-trained environmental policymakers increases, we are proud to have the ability to continue to provide them. According to the program’s director and founder, Professor Steven Cohen: “When we began this program, over a decade ago, the issue of environment and sustainability was not yet central to the political and economic life of the world. Today, we find that sustainability has become the central issue of our time. Our graduates are uniquely trained in politics, policy, economics, finance, and the physical dimension of sustainability.”

Over the course of the past few months, we have been working with the Emmy-award winning filmmaker ofNYCMusicShowDavid Schumacher, to create a video that would provide a more in-depth look into the life of the MPA-ESP program. Schumacher, who has collaborated with a wide variety of clients ranging from CNBC to MTV, visited Columbia’s campus and spoke with various faculty members, students, and alumni about the ways in which the program is necessary to the earth’s survival, in addition to the sense of community the students feel, and the preparedness of its alumni for careers in the environment sector.

”The MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program has managed to create not only a well-trained, passionate group of environmental professionals, but also a unique sense of community. As we enter into our eleventh year of this program, I look forward to seeing what our students can accomplish both personally and professionally,” said Sarah Tweedie, the Assistant Director for the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program. “It is truly remarkable what our students can accomplish in one year on campus, and even more remarkable what they can accomplish as environmental professionals.”

Students in the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP) program enroll in a year-long, 54-credit program offered at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), in partnership with the Earth Institute. Throughout this one year program, students are immersed in courses that combine Columbia University’s hands-on approach to teaching public policy and administration with pioneering thinking about the environment. During the summer semester, students learn the fundamentals of environmental science, while the fall and spring semesters focus on teaching the policy and economics necessary to becoming successful environmental analysts and managers. Please visit our website to learn more about the program.