The Log | School News
Soon Midcareer Professionals Can Go Online to Get MEM Degree
Even though it might advance them up the career ladder, environmental
professionals may find it too daunting a task to leave a job
and family to go back to school for a master's degree or for
a certificate program. Now, through a "first of its kind"
program at the Nicholas School, they can get what they need
largely while sitting at their home computers.
Beginning this fall, the Nicholas School will begin taking
applications for the Duke Environmental
Leadership (DEL) Program, which will offer a
variety of online and site-based educational opportunities
for midcareer professionals with an emphasis on interdisciplinary
themes, strategic approaches to environmental management,
communication and effective leadership.
The program will revolve around the 30-credit Master of Environmental
Management option (DEL-MEM), but the school also will offer
a variety of 10-credit certificate programs and one-to three-credit
short courses. Classes are scheduled to begin in mid-2004.
"Accessibility is one of the most daunting challenges
to mid-career environmental training," said Norman
L. Christensen Jr., DEL executive director. "Through
the DEL program the Nicholas School will offer its comprehensive
environmental management program to those potential students
who may not be able to spend two years in residence to get
a degree and will provide continuing education for those that
can't leave home to get it."
Admission to the 30-credit DEL-MEM program will be based
on undergraduate performance, GRE scores and work experience.
Five years of relevant work experience is a prerequisite for
the program. Students will be expected to complete a one-week
orientation session at the Duke campus; a series of three-credit
core and focused modular courses or short courses; and a masters
project that should allow students to pursue problems directly
related to their current employment, said Sara Ashenburg,
director of continuing and executive education.
Proposed modular core courses - available in written and
electronic formats - include Ecosystems Science and Management,
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Environmental
Policy and Law and Program Management for Environmental Professionals.
With the exception of the orientation course, core courses
and the masters project, all DEL courses will be available
for single course enrollment by students with an appropriate
bachelor's degree and who meet any course pre-requisites,
Ashenburg said. Students enrolling in three courses (10 credits)
in particular focal areas will qualify for certificates. Certificate
areas might include conservation biology, water quality assessment
or natural resource economics.
The DEL faculty team includes Christensen,
professor of ecology and former dean of the Nicholas School,
Patrick Halpin,
assistant professor of the practice of landscape ecology,
Robert Healy,
professor of resource economics, Randall
Kramer, professor of resource economics, Lynn
Maguire, associate professor of the practice
of environmental science and policy, and Dean
Urban, associate professor of landscape ecology.
The program is supported by an $800,000 grant from the Henry
Luce Foundation.
For enrollment information, contact the DEL program office
at (919) 613-8063 or del@duke.edu.
more log >
|
