Master of Environmental Studies

Master of Environmental Studies students in the field

Industry connections and Ivy League academics to take on today's environmental challenges

Program duration:

Program duration:
2 years full-time
3-4 years part-time

Required credits

Required credits:
12 course units

Program format: In-person; courses held in the evening (5:15 - 8:15 p.m.)

Program format:
In-person; courses held in the evening (5:15 - 8:15 p.m.)

The Master of Environmental Studies (MES) program at the University of Pennsylvania helps you translate your passion for the environment into a fulfilling career. Our program offers you a rigorous academic grounding in environmental science and exceptional opportunities to conduct research in the field. In addition, you gain the professional networks and individualized professional development you need to excel in your work, whether as a researcher, policy advocate, teacher or business executive.

Built with flexibility in mind, you can choose from a variety of concentrations or create your own—all with the guidance of our world-class faculty and built upon the foundation of Ivy League science courses. Many of our distinguished professors also influence practices outside the University, bringing their experience and broad networks from the worlds of policy, business and consulting into the classroom. Our working students find meaningful ways to blend their academic and current professional experiences by partnering with faculty to design projects and research that tackle real-world challenges from their workplace.

The heart of the Master of Environmental Studies program is the passion of our students and faculty to create change in the world, from helping to preserve habitats to implementing energy-efficient policies at the local and national levels.

Environmental impact goes beyond the classroom

The Master of Environmental Studies (MES) program at the University of Pennsylvania addresses the complex issues facing our ever-changing planet. Learn about our program with our faculty, advisors, and students. Look towards the future with MES and discover what you can do to stay on the cutting-edge of environmental science, environmental policy, resilience and adaptation, and sustainability.

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MES highlights

courses

A flexible curriculum so you can personalize your degree

  • Choose from six concentrations to develop expertise in your chosen field
  • Double your networks and knowledge with a dual degree in law, public health, business administration, and more
  • Plan your course schedule with evening classes and full- and part-time options
Alumni

The Penn MES alumni network

  • 900+ MES alumni in professional roles around the globe
  • Our alumni work in environmental protection, corporate sustainability, energy, education, conservation, and more; They run their own businesses, and are present across the private sector, the public sector, and at all levels of government in the US and around the world
Penn’s commitment to environmental, sustainability, and climate work

Penn’s commitment to environmental, sustainability, and climate work

  • Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 4.0 sets ambitious targets for decarbonization and increasing biodiversity across campus
  • Students can take environmental and sustainability focused classes across Penn’s 12 graduate schools, including Penn Engineering, Graduate School of Education, Stuart Weitzman School of Design, School of Social Policy and Practice, The Wharton School of Business, Penn Carey Law, and more
Living and studying in a climate action city

Living and studying in a climate action city

  • The City of Philadelphia is committed to climate action, environmental protection, and sustainability, and working toward carbon neutrality by 2050; Climate readiness strategies, projects, and achievements are outlined in the Philadelphia Climate Action Update report
  • MES provides opportunities for internships and research projects with our city partners
Penn’s world-class faculty

Penn’s world-class faculty

  • Faculty members include environmental industry practitioners who bring their experience and broad networks into the classroom
  • Students work closely with faculty and fellow researchers on independent study and capstone research projects

Courses and curriculum

The Master of Environmental Studies program equips students with the broad interdisciplinary knowledge necessary to address complex environmental issues. In addition to developing an academic concentration tailored to their career goals, each MES student selects four courses from four different disciplines outside of their concentration. Options include environmental biology, environmental chemistry, environmental policy, environmental geology, environmental law, urban environment, resource management, environmental health, environmental business, environmental sustainability, resilience and adaptation, and energy.

Tailor your curriculum to your goals >

Program resources

The Master of Environmental Studies program offers students a multitude of resources for getting involved on campus and around the region. Our network includes the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, GRID magazine, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Stroud Water Research Center, the Global Water Alliance, the Philadelphia Field Station-USFS, the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Eastern Regional Research Center.

Environmental opportunities at Penn and beyond >

Career paths for Master of Environmental Studies graduates

Graduates of Penn’s Master of Environmental Studies program have entered a myriad of roles and industries around the world—scientific researcher, conservationist, and global corporate sustainability manager to name a few.

See student & alumni stories >

Financing your education

It’s never too early to plan for financing your education. It is recommended that you start researching your eligibility and loan options as soon as possible.

Learn more about financial aid options >

Student studying on campus

Master of Environmental Studies Virtual Drop-in Hour

Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for an online chat, hosted live from noon - 1 p.m.

 MES Student doing field work

Application deadlines

The spring 2027 international application deadline is October 1, 2026. The regular deadline is November 1, 2026.

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