Doctoral candidate Logan D.A. Williams has been awarded two
fellowships—from the Council of American Overseas Research Centers
(CAORC) and the Council of Women World Leaders (CWWL)—to advance her
research on innovation and technology transfer in the developing world.
M.S. in EEVP
Program Summary
The Ecological Economics, Values and Policy Professional Masters Program builds on our nationally recognized cluster of environmental faculty and course offerings in the economic, political, social, cultural and ethical implications and interactions of science, technology, environment, and society. It is aimed at students with a B.S. degree who wish to obtain additional education for professional positions in the government, nonprofit sector, or private sector. The mix of economics and policy courses is especially good preparation for students who wish to do policy-related work in the government or nonprofit sector, and an internship requirement allows students to get hands-on experience in the state government or NGO sector. Some students are working professionals in the Capital District area, and part-time options are available for working professionals. Upon completion of the program, graduates obtain jobs as environmental activists or professionals, or they go on additional work. A significant portion of the EEVP alumni have gone on for a Ph.D. in economics, policy, or other social science field, and some have also gone to law school.
Funding
The M.S. in Ecological Economics, Values, and Policy is a professional master's degree, and as such students are expected to pay tuition, room, and board. Usually the program takes three semesters to complete, but graduate transfer courses and/or summer coursework may shorten the period to one year. Students with a strong undergraduate academic record and the intent to go on to a career in academic research and/or teaching should consider applying directly to the MS/PhD program in either Science and Technology Studies or Ecological Economics. In most cases there is financial support available for students in the doctoral programs.
NOTE: The M.S. in Ecological Economics, Values, and Policy no longer offers funding assistance (with the possible exception of students at Rensselaer who pursue a BS/MS degree). Students who are interested in pursuing a career in university teaching and research may wish to consider the MS/PhD programs in Science and Technology Studies (STS) or in Ecological Economics. Those progams are only for students who wish to obtain doctorates, but they are open to students who have a bachelor's degree. Students with a master's degree may also apply to the PhD programs in Science and Technology Studies (STS) or Ecological Economics. Contact David Hess if you have additional questions: hessd@rpi.edu.
Curriculum
Note that there is considerable flexibility for the curriculum, and students may propose substitutions with the approval of advisors from both the STS and Economics Departments.
30 Credit Hour Version
Common: 2 Courses
- ECON/STSS-6600 Seminar In Ecological Economics, Values, and Policy
- ECON/STSS-6650 EEVP Professional Project
Economics: 4 courses
- ECON-6490 Introduction to Economic Theory
- Two of the following:
- One elective, for example:
Science and Technology Studies: 4 courses
- STSH-4300 Environmental Philosophy
- STSS-6200 Environment & Social Theory
- One of the following two courses:
- One elective, for example:
Total: 10 courses, or 30 credit hours (all courses are 3 credit hours, or can be taken for 3 credits)
Program Faculty
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences has an exceptionally strong cluster of faculty in the Economics and STS Departments who specialize in or devote a significant portion of their research and teaching to environmental issues. There are also many faculty throughout Rensselaer who are dedicated to environmental research. For more details on current faculty see the faculty listing.