top of page
Tropical_Storm_Satellite.jpg

TAKE ON THE WORLD'S BIGGEST CHALLENGES

M.P.A. in Environmental Science and Policy

Offered jointly by the School of International and Public Affairs and the Columbia Climate School's Earth Institute, this immersive, STEM-designated, one-year program prepares future environmental leaders to address the most serious and complex environmental problems the earth will face. Launched two decades ago, it seamlessly integrates science with environmental policy and management and is the world’s premier program of its kind. Graduates hold key positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors worldwide.

A group of diverse students walking together.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Those interested in...

  • Turning their passion into real, tangible change

  • Fulfilling an urgent need for effective environmental leaders

  • Expanding their career options and opportunities

  • Utilizing an immersive one-year format that saves time and money

  • Benefiting from Columbia’s top-ranked sustainability programs, resources, and network

  • Pursuing practical, hands-on training at the intersection of science, management, and policy

The Columbia Difference

LEADERSHIP

Students learn directly from leading policy and management practitioners, along with top scientists of the world-class Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

OPPORTUNITY

Alumni employers include Apple, the United Nations, the Sierra Club, the City of New York, Natural Resources Defense Council, KPMG, the U.S. Department of State, and The World Bank.

REACH

A global alumni network of thousands of School of International and Public Affairs and Earth Institute program graduates, who hold key positions of environmental leadership across sectors.

An image of the Earth viewed from outer space, partially covered in shadow.

The M.P.A. in Environmental Science and Policy program is offered by Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs in partnership with The Columbia Climate School, which includes Columbia’s Earth Institute and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and all their affiliated research centers and educational programs. The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats facing humanity, presenting challenges that are immense and urgent. In response, Columbia has created the Climate School to develop innovative education, support groundbreaking research, and foster essential solutions, from local to planetary in scale.

The Columbia Climate School

WHAT’S THE STATE OF THE PLANET?

State of the Planet is the official news site of the Columbia Climate School.

Stay in the Know

Upcoming Events & Information Sessions

16

Wed
Oct

University of Southern California Graduate School Fair

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
USC, Outdoors on Trousdale Parkway

19

Sat
Oct

2024 California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
University of California Riverside

21

Mon

Oct

MPA-ESP Information Session

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Zoom

Professor and Director of Columbia’s M.P.A in Environmental Science and Policy Program Dr. Steven Cohen discussed environmentally sustainable growth.

Hear environmental leader Dr. Cohen address pragmatic approaches to environmentally sustainable growth from his newest book.

Prospective Student Interest Form

Thank you for your interest in Columbia University's School of Professional Studies. Please click the “Go” button below to complete a Student Interest form in which you can tell us more about yourself and your academic goals. After you submit the Student Interest form, we will provide you with more detailed information about the program.

Image of the Low Memorial Library, with students sitting throughout it's steps.

CONTACT US

If you have a quick question or would like to receive more information about the M.P.A. in Environmental Science and Policy program, please contact us via the prospective student interest form above or click here.

bottom of page