MS in Environment & International Affairs (MS-EIA)

Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Environment and International Affairs (MS-EIA) from the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Georgetown’s Earth Commons Institute is designed for ambitious students seeking to combine interdisciplinary expertise, practical skills, and access to influential institutions in the nation’s capital. Whether you aspire to shape global environmental policy, promote transnational collaboration, or secure a rewarding position in the dynamic fields of environmental studies and international affairs, our program offers a unique approach to help you stand out in a competitive and growing field. Based on Georgetown’s historic Washington, DC, campus, the program harnesses the university’s academic strengths, resources, ethical framework, and strategic DC location to help you serve the common good.

About

Addressing the global environmental crisis requires interdisciplinary training at the intersection of environmental science and international affairs to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policy expertise. Georgetown University, with its academic strengths, resources, and strategic location, presents the Master of Science in Environment and International Affairs (MS-EIA) program to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary education in this growing field.

Grow your global environmental analysis skills

Georgetown’s MS-EIA degree integrates training in international affairs and the environmental sciences into a single interdisciplinary program where each course seamlessly integrates both disciplines for the common good. Program graduates will be equipped with the latest scientific and analytical tools combined with international perspective and experiences, and ready to pursue careers in public, private, nonprofit, and international organizations. You will emerge with a global vision, a strong foundation in environmental justice, and the skill set to realize a sustainable future.

Stand out with truly interdisciplinary training

• Competitive Advantage: Stand out with uniquely interdisciplinary training, expertise in data analysis, GIS, remote sensing, and research methods, and practical work experience.
• Meet Growing Demand: Capitalize on the growing number of roles demanding expertise in environmental studies, sustainable development, and climate change mitigation and adaptation at federal government agencies, international development banks, science policy institutions, and think tanks and NGOs.
• Access Global Decision-Making: Take advantage of the program’s Washington DC location with unrivaled access to influential institutions such as governmental agencies, international development banks, and more where you can apply your global perspective.
• Shape the Future of Our Planet: Make a lasting impact by promoting a greener economy and implementing the “right policies” to address global environmental challenges.

The complexity of global environmental challenges requires decision-makers with both international affairs and environmental sciences training. Explore the degree’s unique coursework offered on Georgetown’s historic Washington, DC campus, as well as the in-demand degree concentrations to prepare you for a future of interdisciplinary collaboration and change-making.

Concentrations

Students in this program have the opportunity to go beyond the core curriculum and develop expertise in a specific area related to environmental and energy challenges by choosing one of three concentrations. These concentrations cater to students’ academic interests and career goals, preparing them for specialized roles in various employment sectors. To fulfill the requirements, students must take at least one science or technology elective and at least one politics or policy elective. Alternatively, they have the option to develop a personalized concentration in consultation with the program director.

1. Global Sustainable Energy Technology & Policy
   This concentration provides students with the knowledge base and tools to identify the implications of energy policy choices and pathways to a sustainable energy future.
2. Global Environmental Science and Policy
   This concentration provides students with a background in the environmental sciences including atmospheric and ocean science and the implications for global environmental change.
3. Environmental Science and International Security
   This concentration provides students with an understanding of food, energy, and water insecurity and their impact on the global landscape.

Coursework

Within each concentration, at least 1 elective must be a science or technology course, and at least 1 must be a politics or policy course.

Core and skills courses

Students must take all core courses listed below and at least 6 credits of skills courses. Examples of skills courses are listed below.

• Science of Global Environmental Challenges I (Core) (4)
• Science of Global Environmental Challenges II (Core) (4)
• Global Environmental Politics and Security (Core) (3)
• Capstone Seminar (Core) (1)
• Global Capstone Course (Core) (3)
• Energy Analysis and Energy Modeling (NEW) (Skills) (1)
• Environmental Storytelling (NEW) (Skills) (1)
• Geographic Information Systems (Skills) (1)
• Remote Sensing (Skills) (1)
• Quantitative Methods (Skills) (1)
• Qualitative Field Research (Skills) (1.5)
• Analytical and Statistical Skills (Skills) (1)
• Data Science and Analytics (Skills) (1)
• Python for Policymakers (Skills) (1)
• Climate Models for Policy (NEW) (Skills) (1)
• International Negotiations (Skills) (1)
• International Negotiations and Mediation (Skills) (1.5)

Demonstration of English Language Proficiency

All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement. Proficiency can be demonstrated by:

• The receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from a university or accredited institution of higher education where English was the primary language of instruction
• A minimum score of either 100 on the TOEFL or 7.5 on the IELTS test, was taken within the last 24 months.

The Office of Admissions reserves the right to ask an applicant to submit proof of English language proficiency.

Competitive Skills for an Impactful Career

The MS-EIA curriculum provides critical skill sets that are in particular demand from employers in the environmental sector according to our research. These include the ability to:

• Understanding the fundamentals of chemical, physical, and natural sciences, and their applications is key to global policy challenges
• Understand key policy paradigms, actors, and institutions in environment and international affairs
• Use analytical methods and critical tools of environmental science
• Utilize your skills to collect, process, visualize, and analyze data to answer policy questions in environmental and international affairs
• Work in teams with various disciplinary backgrounds

These skills are relevant to positions in the public, private and non-governmental sector