Master's Concentrations

Aquatic Ecology and Watershed Science

The Aquatic Ecology and Watershed Science concentration provides students with the research experience and academic training needed to pursue careers in the aquatic sciences. Research topics may be related to fish, plankton or benthic ecology, aquatic biogeochemistry, aquatic ecotoxicology, watershed science and management, wetlands, modeling of aquatic systems, and related areas. Learn more

Environment, Society and Public Affairs

In the M.S. concentration in Environment, Society, and Public Affairs, graduate students increase their understanding of and capacity to address the social dilemmas we face in responding effectively to environmental and natural resource issues. Students in this concentration may focus on these social dilemmas in contexts that include environmental and land use policy and planning, geospatial analysis, community studies, environmental sociology, public participation, social justice, conflict resolution, ecological economics and park and wilderness management. Learn more

Environmental Thought and Culture

The concentration in Environmental Thought and Culture is an individually-designed Master’s degree for motivated students who seek to pursue a broad and transdisciplinary curriculum of graduate work in environmental studies, with a strong foundation in the ethical and philosophical traditions that inform environmental theory and action. Possible areas of study, based on current faculty research and teaching areas, include the following: environmental communication and cultural studies, environmental ethics, environmental planning, environmental politics and philosophy, environmental justice, ecofeminism, environmental education, recreation and tourism studies, religion and ecology, science/technology studies and sustainability. Learn more

Forest and Wildlife Science

Students wishing to concentrate in the area of Foresty can study a diversity of topics. Broadly defined, these address the natural, physical, and social sciences as they relate to sustainable forest ecosystems. Specific areas of graduate student investigation have included sustainable forest management, silviculture, stand dynamics, riparian forest ecology, old-growth forest science, forest health, stress ecology, effects of atmospheric pollutants and climate change on forested ecosystems, forest carbon dynamics, forest biodiversity, forest hydrology and watershed management, community-based forestry, forest certification systems, application of geographic information systems, forest policy and economics, and many other topics. Students are engaged in research at many levels, ranging from local community initiatives to state, regional, national, and international projects. Students choosing Wildlife Biology engage in research that centers around terrestrial ecosystems and the processes that drive these systems, their management, and their conservation. Thesis topics vary broadly and include population dynamics, conservation biology, wildlife behavior, wildlife-habitat relationships, the effects of forest and agricultural management on wildlife populations and landscape ecology. Learn more

Dual Degree with Vermont Law School

The Master of Studies in Environmental Law (M.S.E.L.)/Masters of Science in Natural Resources (M.S. – Natural Resources) Dual Degree Program offered by Vermont Law School’s Environmental Law Center and the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources gives students an opportunity to deepen their graduate education by integrating significant aspects of the complementary disciplines of environmental law, policy, and science. Learn more

The Doctoral Program in Natural Resources

Our PhD program provides an opportunity for both in-depth and interdisciplinary scholarship in the broad area of the environment. Students work with faculty on national and international issues ranging from very focused studies on tree tissue responses to anthropogenic pollutants like acid rain in the Northeast to ecosystem service valuation in the Amazon Basin. Learn more

Come Join Us

Recognizing the overlap and interconnectedness between the disciplines and research of our program, we invite you to explore the dimensions of graduate work in the School. This seeming complexity reflects our commitment to overcome disciplinary boundaries that might constrain the way we think about and research environmental issues. If you have similar interests and dedication to environmental research, we encourage you to join our School.