Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management
The Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management (ESM) gives you a flexible, personalized education designed to help you develop innovative solutions to today’s most pressing environmental challenges. You’ll gain the scientific expertise, policy insight and management skills you need to pursue a rewarding career in environmental science and management.
The curriculum is built around a core of science, policy and management courses, complemented by a range of electives that let you tailor your studies to your professional goals. Beyond coursework, you’ll gain hands-on experience through internships and professional partnerships with leading organizations such as the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Covestro Environmental Analytics. These opportunities allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom and build meaningful professional connections.
You may also choose to pursue one of the following concentrations:
Traditional ESM Concentration
This track emphasizes regulatory compliance, pollution prevention and environmental control strategies. You’ll gain the practical skills and applied knowledge necessary to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of environmental science and management.
Conservation Biology Concentration
If you’re interested in field studies and ecological systems, this concentration lets you take expanded science electives and gain hands-on experience. You’ll develop a broad understanding of the natural world and the skills needed to tackle ecological and conservation challenges.
Research Concentration
If you want to focus on a specific research topic, this concentration allows you to design and complete a graduate-level thesis centered on your interests. You’ll conduct original research and make a meaningful contribution to the field of environmental science and management.
Program Information
Our MS in Environmental Science and Management (ESM) program will provide you with the skills to assess environmental impact, implement effective monitoring systems, and develop sustainable solutions. Engage in coursework that covers a range of subjects including environmental policy, climate change studies, ecosystem management, and conservation and restoration.
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Applying to the Program
General Overview
CEES welcomes applications on a semi-rolling basis for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. We are committed to promptly communicating your admissions decision as soon as we receive your application and supporting documents. In light of the competitive applicant pool, we urge you to complete and submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
Application Deadlines
- Fall admission: July 1
- March 1: for full consideration for financial aid
- Summer admission: March 1
Please note that these deadlines are strongly suggested but applications will be processed and reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to one month before the start of classes. (Exception: International students must follow the above deadlines.)
Assistantships
Between one and six Assistantships, with tuition credits and stipends, are available every year to full-time students. Applicants interested in assistantships must apply by the aforementioned deadlines. Email for more information about Assistantships.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Environmental Science and Management Graduate Program should have an undergraduate degree with a basic foundation in biology, chemistry, environmental studies, and mathematics. While you are not required to have an undergraduate science degree, you are required to have the following pre-requisite courses for regular acceptance into the program:
- General Biology I with Lab
- General Biology II with Lab
- General Chemistry I with Lab
- General Chemistry II with Lab
- An Environmental Studies or Environmental Science course
- Calculus and/or Statistics
Applicants to the Certificate Programs in Environmental Management or Environmental Science are not required to have the above pre-requisite courses. Instead, applicants should have at least completed one college-level Algebra course. If you lack these prerequisites, you may still be accepted into the program as a provisional student, but will be required to complete the courses before becoming a regular student. Applicants will be considered on the basis of their academic record, communication skills, motivation, and aptitude for laboratory research. Applicants with serious undergraduate course deficiencies may be required to correct these prior to admission into the program. The Admissions Committee looks forward to reviewing your application. Please ensure that you submit a complete application with all items listed below. Applications that are missing any of the following items cannot be considered for an admissions decision.
The Application Process
l. Submit the University application. Complete our online application. There is no fee required to submit your application.
Please submit the additional documents outlined below to the following address:
School of Science and Engineering
100 Mellon Hall
Duquesne University
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
Telephone: (412) 396-4095
Fax: (412) 396-4881
II. A Statement of Purpose, approximately 250 words, describing your goals and objectives for enrolling in this program.
III. All official transcripts, for all undergraduate and any graduate courses. No copies are accepted. Students who attended institutions inside the United States must have the institution's Office of the Registrar send Official Transcripts be send directly to Duquesne.
Students who attended institutions outside of the United States must have all transcripts officially evaluated by an approved transcript evaluation provider and sent to Duquesne University directly from that provider. Please review our Transcript Credential Evaluation Directions.
IV. Two letters of recommendation. In addition, please have each reference submit a completed recommendation form. At least one of these letters should be from academia (for example a former professor or research mentor).
V. Official GRE scores are required for admission for students that have completed their undergraduate degree in the last five years. (Waivers may be accepted in certain cases - please email envscience@duq.edu for more information.) Please have official GRE scores sent from ETS using code 2196 only (a department code isn't needed). A subject test is optional.
April 2020 - Due to the public health crisis, online GRE scores are currently being accepted.
VI. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY - Your application package must also contain the following:
- Official Internet-based (iBT) TOEFL scores that are current to one year. Please review Duquesne University's English Language Proficiency requirements. Before classes begin, International students and any non-native speakers of the English language (including Lawful Permanent Residents) will be required to take the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) test. On occasion students with exceptionally high speaking portions of the TOEFL may be waived from the SPEAK test.
- Duquesne University Affidavit of Support Form completed in full and an official bank statement. The affidavit of support form is a legal document that a student's sponsor must complete and have notarized and certified. The bank statement must be from the sponsor and show at least one full year of costs. Estimates of costs for the academic year are available from our Office of International Programs.
- International Student Form.
April 2020 - Due to the public health crisis, the Duolingo English Test, which can be taken remotely, will be accepted as an English Proficiency Exam.
To empower students in their pursuit of academic excellence in the Environmental Science
and Management (ESM) program, we have carefully crafted a recommended course sequence
tailored to the specific concentrations of traditional, research, and Conservation
Biology. This sequence ensures that students receive a comprehensive and cohesive
education, setting them on a path to success in their chosen field of specialization. Foundation Courses (19 Credits) Choose one of the following: Foundation Courses (19 Credits) Concentration Courses (9 Credits) Choose two of the following: Regulatory Compliance: Demonstrate understanding of regulatory compliance and pollution
prevention and control. Practical Skills: Apply practical skills and expertise essential for environmental
science and management regulations. Field Studies: Conduct immersive field studies to explore and understand the dynamics
of ecosystems (Conservation Biology concentration). Thesis Research: Undertake and complete a graduate-level thesis, contributing to the
advancement of environmental science and management (Research concentration). Environmental Conservation: Apply knowledge and skills in the conservation of biodiversity
and ecosystems (Conservation Biology concentration). Research Proficiency: Develop proficiency in conducting detailed research on specific
environmental topics (Research concentration). Duquesne University is accredited by MSCHE, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
This ensures high academic standards, continuous improvement, and enhances the national
and global value of a Duquesne degree.Curriculum
Choose two of the following:
Learning Outcomes
Accreditation

