MA in Global Environmental Policy -
Degree Requirements
- 39 credit hours of approved graduate course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00, including 21 credit hours in the core, 3 credit hours in social science research methodology, and 6 credit hours of research
Requests for the transfer of a maximum of 6 graduate credit hours from other accredited institutions to be applied to a master's degree are considered after successful completion of 9 credit hours in the graduate program at American University. A minimum grade of B in each course is required for transfer. Transfer courses must have been completed within seven years of admission and must fulfill stated requirements of the degree program.
- Comprehensive examination; a maximum of two attempts is permitted.
- Demonstration of research and writing skills through completion of a master's thesis or substantial research paper requirement. All courses taken to fulfill this requirement must be passed with a grade of B or better.
Thesis: 6 credit hours of thesis credit and submission of the thesis
Substantial research paper requirement: one 3 credit hour internship or cooperative education field experience and one 3 credit hour substantial research paper, or two substantial research papers. - Proficiency in a modern foreign language
Research competence in English and another language relevant to the student's career objectives must be certified.
Core (21 credit hours)
Theory (6 credit hours)
- SIS-660 Environment and Politics (3)
- One of the following:
LAW-618 International Environmental Law (3)
SIS-620 Studies in Global Environmental Politics (3) (topics)
SIS-649 Environment and Development (3)
Economics (6 credit hours)
- ECON-579 Environmental Economics (3)
- ECON-500 Microeconomics (3)
or
ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory (3)
Science (6 credit hours)
- ENVS-580 Environmental Science I: A Quantitative Approach (3)
- ENVS-581 Environmental Science II: A Quantitative Approach (3)
Research Methodology (3 credit hours)
- One of the following:
CSC-610 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
PUAD-601 Methods of Problem Solving I (3)
SIS-600 Quantitative Analysis in International Affairs (3)
An approved methods course
Capstone (3 credit hours)
- SIS-663 Washington Workshop: Advanced Studies and Research in Environmental Policy (3)
Concentration
- 9 credit hours in a focused area selected in consultation with advisor
Research Requirement (6 credit hours)
- SIS-797 Master’s Thesis Supervision (6)
or
Substantial research paper requirement
