Admissions status:
Open. The current round closes on October 15, 2025.| Course Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Degree | MS |
| Length | 3 terms (1 year) |
| Department | Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy |
| US degree credits | 30 |
| Austrian degree ECTS credits | 60 |
Program Description
The one-year Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy (MESP) program is a blend of scientific, policy, and management training, preparing students for careers in the broad field of environmental protection and policymaking.
The curriculum of this master’s degree implements an interdisciplinary approach to environmental studies, challenging you to integrate theory and practice for systematic analysis, holistic understanding and management of key environmental issues in various social contexts. You will actively shape your learning path at CEU according to your professional and academic aspirations by choosing courses from the list of thematically grouped electives.
The goal of the one-year Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy (MESP) is to give students a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the environment, how to develop sound and sustainable policies, and how to address environmental problems through the available governance tools.
How the One-Year MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy Works
The MESP program at CEU is built upon five modules that introduce core concepts and practical skills needed to effectively engage with environmental science and policy topics through work or research. These modules are:
- Foundational Courses
- Advanced Clusters
- Environmental Research Methods
- Professional Skills & Methods
- Thesis
You will choose up to two foundational courses that provide a systematic analysis of one of the four focus areas of environmental studies:
- Environmental Management,
- Environmental Policy and Society,
- Humans and the Biosphere, and
- Non-Human Biosphere.
Courses within the advanced cluster build upon the core competencies of the foundational subjects and delve into specific fields of environmental studies. You can choose to attend courses from up to two advanced clusters expanding on your knowledge of:
- Sustainable Management of Socio-Ecological Systems
- Transformative Society, Politics and Justice
- Energy Transitions & Climate Change
- Resource Management and Pollution Control
All students are required to choose two courses from the Environmental Research Methods modules to become familiar with cutting-edge environmental research methods and tools. You will have the option to explore the process of conducting field observation and in-depth interviewing, learn about the vast range of geospatial technologies (GT) that have revolutionized environmental research and management, or apply ethnographic methods to the topics of food and agriculture.
Alongside these content-based courses, you will attend hands-on workshops on thesis preparation, academic writing and academic research methods to develop the skills and competencies necessary for the successful completion of your degree.
The third and final term is devoted to thesis research, which in many cases involves data gathering in the field. You will be supported through your environmental research project with three in-depth thesis courses that systematically introduce all stages of environmental data collection, preparation, analysis and interpretation.
Who Is This Program For
The Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy (MESP) program is fitting if you are passionate about environmental issues and are eager to contribute to the development and implementation of effective environmental policies. Students with academic backgrounds in environmental sciences, policy or management have the opportunity to build upon their existing knowledge and enhance their practical skills through research-oriented education at CEU. You will take advantage of the interdisciplinary approach and experiential teaching methods at the core of the program, exploring the social, political, cultural and economic contexts of environmental policymaking, research and advocacy.
You will also explore contemporary environmental policy issues at regional and international levels, analyzing the topic through the lens of a rapidly evolving global environmental governance system. Moreover, you will consider how the studies of humanities and social sciences influence your understanding of the developments in the sphere of environmental policy, gaining a unique perspective on the most-discussed topics on the global environmental agenda.
As part of the program, you will undergo rigorous training in the conventions and practice of academic research within the field of environmental sciences, gaining a solid understanding of the cutting-edge methods and tools available to you while conceptualizing, conducting, analyzing and presenting your original research project. After graduating with an MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy, you will be prepared to pursue postdoctoral training anywhere in the world and actively contribute new academic research on environmental science.
Check If You Meet the Eligibility Criteria
To be accepted into the one-year program, you must have earned a first degree (bachelor's or equivalent undergraduate degree) of not less than four years of full-time studies with a minimum of 240 ECTS credits or equivalent. Please note that while this may grant you acceptance into the one-year program, it might make you ineligible for future PhD studies should you wish to further your education.
Successful applicants typically have degrees in subjects related to environmental sciences, policy or management, such as biology, geography, chemistry, engineering, business administration or economics. Candidates with degrees in other areas will also be considered if they demonstrate commitment to environmental issues, usually through work experience.
Students should have the necessary background disciplines or show commitment to environmental challenges, usually through voluntary or professional work and on-the-job training. Please contact us directly to discuss your application.
Program-Specific Requirements
In addition to meeting the general CEU admissions requirements, you must provide a 350-word essay statement of purpose elaborating on your interest in environmental issues, how you hope to benefit from the program and your future career plans.
What Awaits You
In the second term, you will choose to either focus on one or two clusters within the Advanced Clusters module. If you choose only one cluster, you will be required to earn 8 US/16 ECTS credits across courses from that one specialization. If you choose two advanced clusters, you will be required to earn 4 US/8 ECTS course credits within each topic cluster.
Program Overview
Program Overview
- Thesis I
- Academic Writing - MESP
- Student Conference
- Two courses from the Foundational Courses module
- Two courses from the Introduction to Advanced Clusters module
- Two courses from the Environmental Research Methods module
- Thesis II
- Courses from the Advanced Clusters module
- Courses from the Professional Skills & Methods module
- Thesis III
- Thesis IV
List of Courses in Each Module
List of Courses in Each Module
- Introduction to Environmental Sciences: The Non-Human Biosphere
- Introduction to Environmental Sciences: Humans and the Biosphere
- Introduction to Environmental Policy and Society
- Introduction to Environmental Management
- Sustainable Management of Socio-Ecological Systems
- Environmental Governance, Politics and Justice
- Energy Transitions and Climate Change
- Resource Management and Pollution Control
- Sustainable Management of Socio-Ecological Systems
- Agroecology & Organic Gardening Systems
- Introduction to Circular Economy
- Sustainable Development & Global Transitions
- Adaptive Management and Resilience of Socio-ecological Systems
- Resilient Cities and Communities I
- Data Science for the Sustainable Development Goals
- Transformative Society, Politics, and Justice
- Advanced Topics in Global Environmental Governance
- Anthropology of Global Food, Agriculture & Development
- Emotions in the Environmental Sciences
- Ecological Economics
- Environmental Justice: Theories and Practice
- Environmental Justice & Human Rights
- Energy Transitions & Climate Change
- Climate Change: Drivers, Mechanisms, Impacts and Responses
- Decarbonization and Business
- Energy Markets
- Resource Management and Pollution Control
- Sustainable Water Management
- Green Technologies for Environmental Pollution
- Earth Observations in Monitoring SDGs
- Intro to Economics for Environmental Research
- Interviewing and Field Observation
- Ethnographic Observation
- Geospatial Technologies for Environmental Professionals
- Introduction to Geospatial Data Visualization I
- Introduction to Geospatial Data Visualization II
- Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment
- Environmental Practicum
- Qualitative Environmental Research Methods
- Introduction to Geospatial Analysis
- Advanced Impact Evaluation
This program overview is provided as an example based on previous years' curricula. It is for informational purposes only and subject to change. Course offerings, schedules and content may be updated or modified at any time without prior notice. Please refer to official sources or contact the relevant department for the most current program details.
Program Accreditation
The one-year MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy at CEU is registered with the New York State Education Department in the United States and accredited by AQ Austria in Austria. CEU is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Your Teachers
After Graduation
Your Career Prospects
Graduates of the Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy program are well-versed in the theoretical and practical aspects of professional and academic careers in environmental science. With a keen understanding of the complex influences on local and international environmental policies, as well as a comprehensive education in their chosen area of environmental studies and policymaking, our students possess the knowledge and skills to make significant contributions to the field.
Thanks to the advanced training in the methods and tools of environmental research, you will be prepared to continue your academic career and pursue a PhD anywhere in the world.
Graduates of the one-year MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy may explore roles with job titles such as:
- Graduates of the one-year MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy may explore roles with job titles such as:
- Activist
- Air Pollution Analyst
- Chief Sustainability Officer
- Climate and Sustainability Consultant
- Climate Change Analyst
- Community Engagement Officer
- Conservation Biologist
- Engagement Manager
- Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Officer
- Environmental and Sustainability Officer
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Economist
- Environmental Educator
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
- Environmental Journalist
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Environmental Protection Specialist
- Environmental Scientist
- Geologist
- Geoscientist
- Government Regulator
- Natural Resource Manager
- Operations Research
- Policy Analyst
- Project Manager in Environmental Organizations
- Researcher
- Risk Analyst
- Startup Founder
- Sustainability Officer
Continue Your Education at CEU
5 Reasons to Study Environmental Sciences and Policy at CEU
- Dual degree: Earn both an American and Austrian degree and expand your career and doctoral training prospects internationally.
- Interdisciplinary approach: The MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy program blends scientific, policy, legal, management and technical training, providing a holistic understanding of environmental issues.
- Focus on practical skills: You will gain invaluable hands-on experience with cutting-edge environmental research methods and tools and develop professional skills through in-depth workshops and thesis research.
- Tailor your program curriculum: You can shape your learning path at CEU by choosing courses from a variety of foundational and specialized thematic clusters, allowing you to focus on your specific areas of interest within the field of environmental policy, protection, management and research.
- Study in Vienna: For the duration of the program, you will be based in Vienna, which was named the world's most livable city for the third consecutive year in the Global Liveability Ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
