Degrees and Certificates

For each of the degrees or certificates listed below, we have the official description of the degree (as it should appear in an up-to-date PSU catalog) accompanied by an advising sheet or course planning guide. It is your responsibility as a student to understand these requirements. You should also seek guidance from an ESR advisor, other faculty and staff, graduate assistants and peers in your program.

BS in Environmental Sciences	advising sheet
BS in Environmental Studies	advising sheet
Environmental Sciences minor
Environmental Sustainability minor
Masters Degrees	Masters degree concentration areas
MS in Environmental Science
Masters of Environmental Management
Masters of Science Teaching
PhD in Environmental Sciences and Resources	PhD core courses
Graduate certificate in Hydrology
Graduate certificate in Sustainability

Choosing a Degree

Environmental Programs is the home to several undergraduate and graduate degrees. Each of these degrees provides choices for students that are summarized below and elaborated on on linked pages.

The two choices for an undergraduate degree represent a choice between more emphasis on natural sciences and mathematics (Environmental Science) or more emphasis on policy and geography (Environmental Studies). Another degree to consider in this spectrum is a degree in Geography, which would have even more emphasis on the interaction between humans and their environment at a regional scale. If you are not sure which degree to choose, there is substantial overlap between the Science and Studies degrees in the first year. You can take ESR220,221,222 series and Geog210, 230 and 380 and use these courses to orient yourself. When considering a degree, please remember that employers tell us that they want students who have completed a relevant degree (not necessarily any specific degree), have experience in the environmental field and have some specific skills that they can bring to the job. Your choice of a specific degree is really not as important as that you become engaged in our programs and take advantage of the opportunities to acquire skills and experiences.

The difference between the MS and MEM degree is mainly that the MS degree requires you to work with a research advisor and write a thesis whereas the MEM degree you will work with a community partner and write a project. There is no time limit for writing the thesis and it should reflect the creation of new knowledge through empirical study. A MEM project would probably focus on existing information that is analyzed for management and policy implications.