Introduction

The ENVS graduate program’s secondary core in policy sciences builds upon more than two decades of experience in graduate policy education at CU-Boulder. The curriculum provides students with training that is problem oriented, contextual and drawn from a diversity of methodologies.

Why Study

The term "Policy Sciences" was coined by Harold D. Lasswell. In collaboration with many colleagues, in particular Myres S. McDougal, he developed an integrative approach to solving problems and making decisions. The policy sciences approach to the study of decision making is the oldest tradition of the policy movement in academia that has led to a proliferation of graduate programs in policy. The policy sciences take a distinctive approach that is problem oriented, context sensitive and draws upon a diversity of methodologies. As such the policy sciences are inherently interdisciplinary and focused on the practical needs of decision makers.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is organized around three courses in the policy sciences that have formed the core of the graduate degree program in public policy for the past two decades at the University of Colorado-Boulder

Policy Sciences Core: 9 Credit Hours

• ENVS 5720 - Problem Orientation
• ENVS 5730 - Decision Process
• ENVS 5710 - Introduction to the Policy Sciences

Policy Electives

For the MS 18 hours additional are required, and for the PhD, 24. These courses should be selected with consultation of the student’s advisor. Special attention should be paid to the scheduling of courses and prerequisites that may be required

CU Boulder Resources

The University of Colorado offers a wide range of graduate education opportunities related to environmental policy. Some of these opportunities involve degrees in policy, others involve certificates or programs that allow for some exposure to policy training along the way to traditional disciplinary degrees. Students in virtually any graduate degree program at the University of Colorado can obtain some exposure to environmental policy. A student’s choice of degree or certificate alterative will depend a great deal on career path and educational goals.

Some alternatives to the ENVS Graduate Program, along a spectrum from a broad exposure to an intensive and specific research focus:

• Graduate Certificate Program in Environmental Policy
• MA in Political Science: Public Policy
• PhD in Political Science: Public Policy
• PhD (social or natural science, or journalism) in the Carbon, Climate and Society IGERT

Faculty

• Michael Zimmerman

• Roger Pielke, Jr.

• Jana Milford

• Benjamin Hale

• Samuel Fitch

• Lisa Dilling

• Krister Andersson

Grad Students

• Mariah Zebrowski

• Lee Zarzecki

• Jessica Weinkle

• Alexandra Tweedie

• Donna Tucker Walrath

• Josh Taylor

• Natalie Stephenson

• Erik Noble

• Shali Mohleji

• Jonathan Miller

• Christopher McGuire

• Christopher LaCasse

• Lorine Giangola

• Elisabeth Failey

• Mari Elise Ewing

• Erin Moore

• David Cherney

• Joanna Chan

• Marilyn Averill

Grad Program: