Admissions
Join a community where academics and impact come together to help sustain our world
The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability provides the intellectual challenges and scientific experiences that will prepare you to be a leader and agent of environmental sustainability. You will learn in the classroom, field, and lab. You will work on team projects with prominent client organizations or pursue independent research with world renowned scholars. You will find internship opportunities in government, the private sector, and NGOs. You will be guided by faculty who are leaders in their fields. And you will join a worldwide community—8,000 strong—of alumni, students, scholars, and professionals who champion bold ideas for a better world.
- Our customizable learning experience offers all the benefits of a small, intimate school embedded in a world-class research university.
- Our interdisciplinary emphasis joins natural and social scientists, designers, and engineers within SEAS and inspires cross-campus collaborations.
- Our century-long tradition of active, place-based, engaged learning transforms knowledge to application.
- Our global engagement equips students to change the world.
Join us in helping to protect the Earth’s resources and achieve a sustainable society.
Work with SEAS alumni at these organizations and more
NGO
African Wildlife Foundation
BSR
Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice
EDF
Green Sports Alliance
National Wildlife Federation
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
San Diego Zoo
The Climate Registry
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
US Green Building Council
World Resources Institute (WRI)
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Be part of something different
University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability provides the intellectual challenges and scientific experiences that will prepare you to be a leader and agent of environmental change. You will learn in the classroom, field, and lab. You will work on team projects with nationally known clients. You will find internship opportunities in the government, private sector, and NGOs. You will be guided by faculty who are leaders in their fields. And you will join a worldwide community—8,000 strong—of alumni, students, scholars, and partners who champion bold ideas for a better world.
Doctoral Program
Individualized
The SEAS doctoral program has two primary tracks: Resource Ecology Management, with an ecology and science focus; and Resource Policy and Behavior, with a social science focus. Areas of specialization are reflective of faculty research interests and parallel the fields of study identified in the MS program.
Research-based
A PhD candidate will be deeply involved in research efforts, defining and understanding critical natural and environmental resource problems, and developing new knowledge and management strategies to address these problems. These students are expected to become leaders in research, in training other professionals, and in developing the scientific knowledge base for formulating policies and management practices that contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources.
Fully funded
SEAS provides a five-year funding package to accepted students. The securing of funding is a shared responsibility by SEAS and the faculty advisor, and can carry some responsibility as a graduate student instructor or graduate student research assistant.
Learning with breadth and depth
The SEAS approach to environmental education marries the best of conventional coursework with innovative experiential learning in all of its disciplines (natural science, social science, design, and engineering). This active, engaged pedagogy inspires critical thinking and creative problem solving to equip students, faculty, and research scientists with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Academics listings
Master’s fields of study
Experiential learning
To transform passionate, eager students into empowered sustainability experts, the SEAS curriculum combines traditional classroom learning with innovative teaching methods in the lab, in the University of Michigan’s impressive network of natural areas, and around the world through individually tailored internships and research projects.Dual-degree programs
The hallmark of the SEAS master’s program is its interdisciplinary focus. This focus can be extended even further through the pursuit of a dual degree. Because the school is part of one of the greatest research universities in the world, students may customize their dual degree with U-M’s 18 other schools and colleges.Master's Programs
Foundation
All students in a SEAS master’s program complete one or more of the following courses:
Ecology: The Science of Context and Interaction ensures that all students have the basic ecological knowledge necessary for the MS and MLA programs.
Environmental Decision-Making: Economics and Environment develops the elements of economics that are essential for environmental professionals.
Environmental Decision-Making: Governance teaches students to think critically about social, political, cultural, and economic contexts under which environmental problems arise.
Custom path
SEAS graduate programs include two master’s programs, Natural Resources and Environment (MS) and Landscape Architecture (MLA), and one doctoral program (NRE PHD). In addition we offer three graduate certificate programs: Industrial Ecology, Spatial Analysis, Environmental Justice.
MS and MLA students complete an opus: a project, practicum, or thesis.
SEAS also offers special programs for veterans and active-duty military, returned Peace Corps volunteers, laboratory researchers, and students with families.
Opus finish
Master’s projects and practicums are interdisciplinary problem-solving research endeavors conducted by a team of students. Projects expose students to group experiences to prepare them for similar situations in the workplace. For clients, projects provide useful products and solutions to complex environmental issues.
Like the dissertation that is required of all PhD students, only less ambitious, a thesis is an individual work that is creative, scholarly, and based on independent research.
Currently, nearly 100 students are engaged in master’s projects or practica with about two dozen clients representing private enterprise, nonprofits, local and federal government, and international NGOs.
We're Here to Help
Our team of admissions staff is here to help with any questions or requests you may have.
Associate Director of Enrollment Services
BS in Political Science - Hope College ('04)
MA in Social Science Global Studies - University of Michigan - Flint ('10)
"I began working at SEAS in September of 2015. I particularly enjoy communicating with students and assisting them in learning about the option to pursue graduate education. It is both personally and professionally rewarding to direct these efforts towards the protection of the Earth's resources and the achievement of a sustainable society."
Recruitment Coordinator
BA in Political Science - University of Michigan ('13)
"I began working at SEAS in February of 2016. While I don't have an academic or professional background in sustainability or natural resources, I find my responsibility to identify and assist passionate prospective students extremely rewarding. I am grateful to be a crucial part of the SEAS team, and I am proud of the fact that I have a hand in creating the future pioneers of sustainability and the environment."