Degree Requirements

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The Nicholas School's Master of Environmental Management and Master of Forestry degrees each require 48 unites of credit and two years in residence. The professional degrees are designed for students who are interested in careers as natural resource managers and environmental problem-solvers. Programs of study emphasize applied science, economics, policy and quantitative methods of problem analysis and decision making. Course credits are distributed among the following:

Major (core) courses - A series of required core courses in the area of study. A course in resource or environmental economics is required in each program.

Electives - Courses selected by the student to develop a specialization or add depth to the major area of study.

Quantitative and analytical courses - All programs require 6 to 12 units of credit in quantitative and analytical methods related to natural resource analysis, modeling and management.

Master's project - An individual or small-group research effort related to some area of natural resource or environmental management, constituting 4 to 6 units of credit. During the second year in residence, students make oral presentations on the results of their master's projects.

Seminars - All students are required to participate in their program area's professional development seminar.

Internships - All students seek summer opportunities to gain career experience, blending their academic study with "real world" application.

GRADUATE RESEARCH DEGREES

The Master of Arts and Master of Science require a minimum of 30 units of credit and one year in residence. The PhD requires a number of graduate-level courses determined by the student's advisory committee and a minimum of one year in residence at Duke. The graduate degrees are administered through the Graduate School's Department of the environment. These degrees, emphasizing original research in a narrowly defined area of interest, are appropriate for students who wish to pursue careers in teaching and research.

CONCURRENT DEGREES

The Nicholas School has formal concurrent degree agreements with Duke's Fuqua School of Business (MBA), Law School (MA, JD), Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy (MPP), and the Duke University Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Students who are admitted to these programs work toward two graduate or professional degrees concurrently. The concurrent programs normally require three years in residence at Duke with 36 units of credit in the Nicholas School.