Why Earn Your Master's Degree from Lehigh?
Whether you want to protect what’s in your community or across the globe, Lehigh’s environmental policy program will equip you to design and implement policy that bridges corporate boardrooms and grassroots movements. You will master current legal and political structures, graduating ready to lead society toward a sustainable future.
You can tailor your degree to your specific career goals by adding a graduate certificate:
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Justice
- Environmental Policy and Planning
Students typically earn an M.A. in 2 years, but you can complete the program in less time with careful academic planning. Many will participate in the Community Fellows program, a distinctive Lehigh opportunity that includes scholarship funding and hands-on work experience with local government and non-profit agencies.
On this page:
Curriculum
The master's in environmental policy program is designed to give students flexibility in their coursework with 3 required courses, 7 electives, and a master’s thesis or an internship.
Featured courses include:
- Socio-cultural Foundations of Environmental Policy
- Foundations of Sustainable Development Practice
- Mapping Data for Policymaking
- Environmental Justice: From Theory to Practice
Careers
From local grassroots initiatives to international policy frameworks, our graduates possess the legal, political, and scientific tools to lead.
Where our environmental policy graduates work:
- American Chemistry Council
- Brenntag
- City of Allentown
- Crayola
- Jacobs
- Michael Baker International
- Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Stowe Land Trust
Financial Support
We are committed to helping you finance your graduate education. Our funding includes:
- Community Fellows Program
- Teaching Assistantships
- Research Assistantships
- Merit Scholarships
How to Apply
Applicants to the M.A. in Environmental Policy program must:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Submit an online application
- Provide official transcripts
- Submit a statement of purpose and current resume
- Provide 2 letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency, if applicable
Application Deadlines
- Admission is on a rolling basis, but you must submit your application by March 1 to receive priority consideration for funding.
Ready for the Next Step?
Apply to the Environmental Policy graduate program via the online graduate application.
Request Information
Tell us a bit about yourself so our team can help you navigate deadlines, explore program highlights, and guide your next step.
FAQs about the M.A. in Environmental Policy
The program is designed to be flexible, with options for both full-time and part-time enrollment.
Environmental Policy at Lehigh is strongly committed to hands-on experience through community outreach and environmental advocacy. Graduate students may participate in the distinguished Community Fellows program to work with local government and non-profit agencies. Internship opportunities at the United Nations, available through Lehigh’s United Nations Partnership, allow students to expand their reach on an international scale.
Over 90% of Lehigh graduate students receive robust financial funding, allowing you to focus on your research, training, and professional growth. Students are eligible for these types of funding:
- Community Fellowship - our premier fellowship that funds 21 of the 30 credits required to complete the degree
- Teaching Assistantships/Research Assistantships - the department offers several highly competitive assistantships each year, which includes a stipend and tuition remission.
- Dean's Scholarship - the majority of students qualify for these merit-based awards, which significantly lower the cost of the graduate tuition.
Admissions is on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to be considered for funding opportunities and in order to complete the enrollment process at least 60 days before the start of the academic semester. This is particularly important for international students who reside outside of the United States and need to allow for sufficient visa processing times.