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MSES
Graduate Degrees in Environmental Science
and...
MSES-Applied Ecology (thesis or non-thesis)
MSES-Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment (thesis or non-thesis)
MSES-Water Resources (thesis or non-thesis)
MSES-Specialized: Student-tailored program and/or combined concentrations (thesis or non-thesis)
MSES/MPA: A powerful and cost effective dual degree program, which draws on the top-ranked Environmental Policy program in the U.S. or other specializations in Public Affairs (e.g., International Affairs, Non-Profit Management, etc.)
MSES/JD: A powerful combination of Environmental Science and Law
MSES/PhD ES: Qualified candidates start in our MSES program and move seamlessly into the Ph.D. in Environmental Science program
MSES/MA-Biology,
MSES/MS-Geography, or
MSES/MS-Geology: A combination of our MSES program with a degree in one of the traditional sciences
MSES/MA-Journalism: An exciting new degree combination producing science journalists and environmental professionals with extraordinary communication skills
Learn More about our Graduate Degrees in Environmental Science
and...
Thirty-year history and close to 1,000 graduates in a wide variety of environmental careers
A rigorous yet flexible approach to training, which provides strong problem-solving skills to
prepare students for life long careers, adaptability, and advancement
MSES degree: Program overview, admission criteria, and financial aid
New programs now in development:
For 30 years, SPEA’s environmental programs have produced successful professionals, researchers, policymakers,
and leaders in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Law, and Environmental Management.
Over the course of the past three decades, close to 1,000 students have earned Master of Science in Environmental Science
(MSES) degrees, one of our innovative and cost-effective joint degrees (e.g., MSES/MPA, MSES/JD, MSES/Journalism,
MSES/Biology, MSES/Geology), or a Ph.D. in Environmental science after beginning their studies in our MSES program.
MSES students in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs can take advantage of the top-ranked program in
Environmental Policy and Natural Resources Management in the U.S., housed in the same school as our Environmental
Science program.
If your aim is to develop strengths in both Environmental Science and Policy, SPEA is clearly your school. Our joint
MSES/MPA degree program provides students with a very powerful and marketable combination of knowledge
and problem-solving skills.
Our strong connections to the highly regarded Environmental Law program in the Indiana University School of Law allow
you to take advantage of a wide range of courses, seminars and workshops in Environmental Law and provide the opportunity
to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree while earning an MSES (
MSES/JD).
Collaborative efforts between our program and other science departments at Indiana University allow students to take
classes across the University that enhance their course of study or to earn a second degree in Biology, Geography, or
Geology while pursuing their MSES (
MSES/MA-Biology,
MSES/MS-Geography,
or
MSES/MS-Geology).
Our newly developed connections to the School of Journalism at Indiana University allow students to develop expertise in
Environmental Science and Journalism. This powerful Master’s combination graduates marketable science journalists and
environmental scientists with extraordinary communication skills (
MSES/MA-Journalism).
Regardless of the environmental degree or combination of degrees earned, our MSES graduates are well-prepared to meet
the challenges of studying complex environmental problems and developing solutions and policies to address these problems.
We are proud of alumni who are actively engaged in environmental problem-solving and policymaking across the U.S. and world
in all sectors of society including government at the international, national, state and local levels, industry and
utilities, and nonprofit organizations. Click
here to learn more about where many of our alumni are today and see
examples of career paths they have followed.
Sound, rigorous, and flexible interdisciplinary approach to preparing students for lifelong careers, adaptability, and
advancement in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Law, and Environmental Management.
All of our graduate degree programs in environmental science were developed based on five fundamental guiding principles:
- Environmental problems and issues facing society are by nature complex. Studying and developing solutions and policies to address and
prevent such problems requires a sound and rigorous interdisciplinary approach.
- Students are more likely to receive a truly integrated environmental science and policy education when the faculty and programs are
housed in a single school committed to interdisciplinary education rather than scattered across many departments.
- The most effective environmental professionals, researchers, and leaders have strong problem-solving skills that take into account the
complexity of the problem or issue (i.e., science, politics, technology constraints, economics, and other societal issues).
- The most effective environmental professionals, researchers, and leaders have a strong grounding in a particular area of environmental
science (e.g., applied ecology, environmental chemistry, toxicology, risk assessment, water resources, or a specialization tailored to the
student’s needs) along with some exposure to the wide range of disciplines or fields of study that intersect in addressing most environmental
problems.
- The most effective environmental professionals, researchers, and leaders are versatile and adaptable. These traits allow them to readily
address new and challenging problems as the environmental issues facing society change.
Our environmental degree programs are designed to produce graduates who have the skills needed to be successful and take on leadership roles
in an ever-changing job market. Our degree programs produce graduates who can work well with teams of professionals and can effectively
communicate and work with colleagues in a wide variety of disciplines. Our graduates leave with strong problem-solving skills and a sound
interdisciplinary context, which allow them to hit the ground running as they enter their new
careers.
MSES degree and joint degree overviews
The primary objective of the environmental science graduate programs offered by the School of Public and Environmental Affairs
(SPEA) is to provide rigorous training in a chosen environmental science specialization and an exposure to the broader
interdisciplinary context necessary for developing solutions to complex environmental problems. A wide variety of degree
programs are offered to meet the needs of students seeking professional careers in private industry, consulting firms,
non-profit agencies and all levels of government, as well as students seeking research training in preparation for research-
oriented positions and academic careers.
The MSES is a two-year, professional or research-oriented master’s degree program. The various joint degree programs associated
with the MSES range from 2.5 to 4 years in length. The MSES program combines a series of fundamental or core courses with
more in-depth courses in a concentration area, an integrating project-oriented course, and either an internship or research
thesis.
Following is a brief overview of the MSES degree requirements. Full details can be found in the
Graduate Bulletin.
Core Courses:
The MSES combines core courses in ecology, environmental chemistry, applied math for environmental sciences,
environmental engineering, and statistics with a selection of courses in environmental policy, management,
law and/or economics, to provide students with an interdisciplinary foundation for environmental problem solving.
Concentration Courses:
Each student also completes coursework in a concentration area, which provides more in-depth training in a
particular area of environmental science. The coursework in each concentration culminates in a project-oriented
course that integrates knowledge gained throughout the program and applies it to issues related to the student’s
concentration.
Concentration areas include:
*Program flexibility allows students to design individualized concentrations tailored to their career goals.
Internship or Research Project:
To integrate this academic training within a practical framework, students are required to complete an internship,
undertake a significant research project, or complete a Master’s thesis.
Admission Criteria:
Each application is considered on an individual basis to determine whether the applicant is well-prepared to
enter the MSES or one of our joint-degree programs. Students must have an undergraduate degree with coursework
that is relevant to their intended focus in the MSES degree program. Students who will focus on research are
expected to have an adequate background in quantitative natural science subjects (e.g., math, chemistry, or biology).
Financial Aid:
The School of Public and Environmental Affairs offers assistance for qualified students. Aid in the form of stipends
and tuition remission are awarded on a competitive basis and determined by merit. Awards for new and continuing students
include teaching and research assistantships as well as special SPEA Service Corps internships with local agencies.
SPEA also affords special financial aid opportunities to qualified returning Peace Corps, Teach for America and
AmeriCorps volunteers.
Last year 56 percent of the incoming MSES class and 63 percent of the incoming MSES/MPA students received some form of
merit-based financial aid from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Students not receiving merit based aid
in their first semester or year often move into teaching or research assistantships in their second year. SPEA also
offers a wide variety of scholarships and fellowships to the top students in our programs.
Students may apply for need-based aid through the University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance. Other sources
of funding may be found
here.
Joint Degree Programs
Joint degree programs allow students to combine the MSES degree described above with other graduate degrees. These
joint degrees are designed to allow the student to obtain the benefits and credentials of both degrees in a more
compressed timeframe than the student would encounter if undertaking the two degrees separately.
Many students with interest in both environmental science and policy take advantage of the
MSES/MPA joint
degree program, which combines the MSES with SPEA’s Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program. Students interested
in both environmental science and environmental law may opt for the joint
MSES/JD degree offered in conjunction
with the School of Law.
Students interested in gaining greater depth in
biology, geological
sciences, or
geography while obtaining the MSES degree may opt for joint MSES/MA or MS degree programs offered
in conjunction with these departments. Students interested in careers which combine environmental science and
journalism may opt for a joint program between the SPEA and the School of Journalism,
MSES/MA-Journalism.
New program and concentrations underway
We’re excited about a new concentration within the MSES degree with a focus on Environmental Policy and Management.
We are also developing a new collaborative relationship with the Pharmacology and Toxicology program within the
Indiana University Medical School.
Check this Web site for more details, or
e-mail J.C. Randolph,
Director of the MSES program.
MSES concentrations
Applied Ecology
A Career in Applied Ecology
Invasive species. Habitat loss and restoration. Threatened and endangered
species. Wildlife management. These are just a few of the diverse and
fascinating topics you’ll explore in Applied Ecology. The common theme: Applying basic ecological principles
to understanding environmental problems.
SPEA is a global leader in integrating ecological science with sound public policy. Students concentrating
in Applied Ecology benefit from a world-class faculty who actively develop ways of improving and our
planet’s biological resources—globally, locally, publicly and privately. Our Applied Ecology
concentration will prepare you for challenging careers in resource management and protection, and the hands-on
nature of the degree program insures a high demand for our graduates.
Alumni Success
Alumni of SPEA’s Applied Ecology concentration have landed in a wide variety of engaging careers.
Recent graduates are now working in federal agencies, such as EPA, the Interior Department, the Bureau of Land
Management, the U.S. State Department, and the Government Accounting Office.
Others have found success in state and local agencies, international organizations, foreign
governments, non-governmental organizations (such as Ducks Unlimited and the Nature Conservancy), and a wide
range of science and engineering consulting firms.
This diverse list of employers is a testament to the flexibility that the MSES program offers
students in pursuit of their individual career objectives. Follow the
Alumni link to learn more about postitions our alumni hold and to read profiles of alumni highlighted in
our
Environmental Science Report.
Special Financial Support for Applied Ecology
Students in Applied Ecology qualify for general financial support offered by the School of Public and
Environmental Affairs and Indiana University (click
here for more information). SPEA offers additional sources of support available
only to students in the Applied Ecology concentration. These awards are normally made available to second-year
students after they have demonstrated their ability to do the work required by the appointments. Students also
can work with Applied Ecology faculty in support of specialized grants and contracts on a highly competitive basis.
Faculty Expertise
SPEA faculty are involved in meaningful research in numerous aspects of applied ecology and natural resource
management, including endangered species protection and re-introduction, wetland, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem
restoration, sustainable forest management, and global environmental change. Research results are published in a
variety of basic and applied ecological journals, including
Ecology,
Ecological Monographs,
Ecological Applications,
Conservation Biology,
Restoration Ecology,
Biogeochemistry,
Lake and Reservoir Management,
Wetlands, and others.
SPEA faculty apply their expertise to solving environmental problems throughout the world and relate these
experiences back to students. Our graduates benefit from this uniquely practical perspective as they progress from
student to beginning professional. And the MSES program offers a thesis option for those students wishing to pursue
a research-oriented career. The breadth of research topics addressed by our faculty ensures that students wanting to
produce a thesis can do so in any of a number of areas in applied ecology.
SPEA faculty with a focus in Applied Ecology:
Christopher Craft, Wetland ecology
Burnell C. Fischer, Forest science and management
William W. Jones Aquatic ecology
Vicky Meretsky Conservation biology
Flynn Picardal, Environmental microbiology
David Parkhurst, Physiological plant ecology
J.C. Randolph, Forest ecology
Todd V. Royer, Aquatic ecology
Jeffrey White, Aquatic ecology
Students considering the MSES with a concentration in Applied Ecology are encouraged to contact one of the
above faculty members to discuss questions about the degree program and research opportunities. Questions related
to admission procedures, deadlines, and financial aid should be directed to
Tom Sparrenberger in the Graduate Program Office.
Curriculum for the Applied Ecology Concentration
Students begin to develop needed technical tools in the MSES core.
The 18-credit hour core courses consist of:
- Applied Mathematics for Environmental Science (E526)
- Applied Ecology (E527)
- Environmental Chemistry (E536)
- Statistics for Environmental Science (E538)
- Environmental Engineering (E552)
- Public Management Economics (V517) OR Environmental Law (V645)
The Applied Ecology concentration also includes specific advanced courses and 12 credit hours of electives
that allow a student to tailor their individual program towards their interests.
Required Courses (10 credit hours)
- Wetlands Biology and Regulation (E440)
- Limnology (E455)
- Forest Ecology and Management (E528)
Below is a list of possible elective courses. Students also may enroll in courses in Geology, Geography, and other
departments after consultation with a faculty advisor.
- Fisheries and Wildlife Management (E460)
- Fisheries and Wildlife Management Laboratory (E461)
- Vector-based Geographic Information Systems (E518)
- Applied Remote Sensing of the Environment (E519)
- Environmental Toxicology (E520)
- Applications of Geographic Information Systems (E529)
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (E537)
- Lake and Watershed Management (E545)
- Conservation Biology (E557)
- Environmental Risk Analysis (E560)
- International Environmental Policy (E535)
- Public Management Economics (V517)
- Environmental Management in the Tropics (V574)
- Environmental Economics and Policy (V625)
- Natural Resource Management and Policy (V643)
- Environmental Law (V645)
- Seminar in Ecology and Environmental Biology (BIOL L570)
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning (BIOL L575)
- Advanced Population Biology (BIOL L578)
- Community Ecology (BIOL L579)
- Behavioral Ecology (BIOL L581)
Students pursuing the thesis options will sign up for Research in Environmental Science (E625) to fulfill
some portion of thier concentration electives.
Students pursuing the non-thesis option generally complete an appropriate internship during the summer
between their first and second year in the program.
The coursework in each concentration culminates in a project-oriented course that integrates knowledge
gained throughout the program and applies it to issues related to the student’s concentration and ONE of
the following:
- Stream Ecology (E546)
- Environmental Risk Analysis (E560)
- Environmental Analysis Workshop (E620)
- Environmental Policy Analysis (V520)
- Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs (V600)
- Workshop in Public Affairs (V601)
Dual Concentrations
Dual concentrations with Applied Ecology and other concentrations offered by SPEA—such as Water Resources or
Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management—offer unique advantages for those wanting to make a
difference in particular areas of environmental science. Our faculty work to accommodate these specialized
professional interests in the design of student programs.
Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment
Preparing for Success in Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment
The School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) is a global leader in environmental chemistry, toxicology, and risk assessment education, research, and service. Students concentrating in environmental chemistry, toxicology, and risk assessment enjoy the advantages of the School's leading position as they embark on their professional careers, whether in the United States or in other countries, whether in national or sub-national government, and whether in the public or private sectors.
Education. The School offers Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degrees in environmental science. In addition to other areas of specialization, the Master's program offers a concentration in Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment. In addition, SPEA faculty participate in similar technical training programs for in-career professionals working in both the United States and other countries. This education forms a strong base for development and acceleration of careers in environmental chemistry, environmental toxicology, waste site remediation, hazardous materials management, and risk assessment in public, private, and nonprofit organizations throughout the world. The professional distinction of our faculty, the great success of our alumni, and the hands-on nature of our professional degree programs insure a high demand for our graduates.
Research. SPEA's faculty carry out leading-edge research in a wide range of environmental chemistry, environmental toxicology, environmental microbiology, geochemistry, and risk assessment problems. They publish that research in the best environmental science journals. Indeed, the leading journal in the field,
Environmental Science and Technology, is currently co-edited at Indiana University.
Professional Service. School faculty regularly accept government service assignments, both foreign and domestic, sometimes on leave from their university assignments and sometimes along with their university activities. These practical experiences, often carried out with the assistance of advanced students, ensure the relevance of what they teach to the world of practice.
Our Concentration
Beyond those required for admission into the Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) program, there are no special entry requirements for the Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment concentration. Students begin to develop needed technical tools in the 20-credit-hour MSES core. These core courses are:
- E526: Applied Mathematics for Environmental Science
- E527: Applied Ecology
- E536: Environmental Chemistry
- E538: Statistics for Environmental Science
- E552: Environmental Engineering
- V517: Public Management Economics OR
- V645: Environmental Law
The concentration includes required advanced courses in environmental chemistry, environmental toxicology, risk assessment, and concentration electives to tailor the student's program to their particular interests and desired employment markets.
Required (9 credit hours):
- E520: Environmental Toxicology
- E537: Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
- E560: Environmental Risk Analysis
Electives (12 credit hours):
Four courses from the following list or other courses approved by the advisor:
- E512: Risk Communication
- E515: Fundamentals of Air Pollution
- E518: Vector-based Geographical Information Systems
- E519: Applied Remote Sensing of the Environment
- E529: Applications of Geographical Information Systems
- E535: International Environmental Policy
- E539: Aquatic Chemistry
- E542: Hazardous Materials
- E544: Subsurface Microbiology and Bioremediation
- E554: Groundwater Flow Modeling
- E555: Topics in Environmental Science: Advanced Topics in Atmospheric Chemistry
- E555: Topics in Environmental Science: Fate of Organic Chemicals in the Environment
- E562: Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
- E570: Soil Mechanics and Science
- V517: Public Management Economics
- V541: Benefit-Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies
- V625: Environmental Economics and Policy
- V643: Natural Resource Management and Policy
- V645: Environmental Law
- CHEM C483: Biological Chemistry
- CHEM C612: Spectrochemical Methods of Analysis
- CHEM C614: Chromatography
- GEOL G451: Principles of Hydrogeology
- GEOL G550: Surface Water Hydrology
Dual Concentrations
Dual concentrations with Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment and other concentrations offered by
the School—for example, with water resources or environment and natural resources management—provide unique
advantages for those wanting to make a difference in particular areas of environmental science. Our faculty work to
accommodate these specialized professional interests in the design of the student programs.
Special Financial Support for Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment
Students in environmental chemistry, toxicology, and risk assessment qualify for general financial support offered by Indiana
University and the School. There are additional sources of support available only to students in this concentration. These
awards are normally available to second-year students after they have demonstrated their ability to do the work required by
the appointments. Students also work with environmental chemistry, toxicology, and risk assessment faculty in support of
specialized grants and contracts on a highly competitive basis.
Our Graduates
The School prides itself in graduating MSES students who can become productive environmental chemistry, toxicology,
and risk assessment employees immediately, without a long learning period. That is the result of the applied and
experiential nature of our advanced courses. Students learn how environmental science and policy are done, not
just the theoretical concepts that might be implemented under certain conditions. Our graduates are beginning
professionals, not students, by the end of their degree program, because our faculty–along with being
serious and productive scholars–are practicing in the field throughout the world.
SPEA places its Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment graduates in a wide array of positions. In
the last few years, these positions have included the usual federal agencies (EPA, GAO, Interior, etc.), state and
local environmental agencies (executive and legislative), international organizations (US Department of State, etc.),
foreign governments, private industry (Ford Motor Co., etc.), non-governmental organizations (Ducks Unlimited, etc.),
and environmental science and engineering consulting firms (Earth Tech, etc.).
Water Resources
Careers & Alumni – Why SPEA?
Are you interested in becoming a top-notch professional in water resource service, research, and education?
SPEA’s rigorous Water Resources concentration prepares students with the skills to address myriad environmental
issues including water quality treatment, pollution prevention, watershed assessment, water resource management,
storm water management, permitting, risk assessment, wetland reclamation, wastewater treatment, and sustainable
urban growth. Our graduates possess a complete set of tools applicable to careers with federal, state, and local
government agencies, as well as nongovernmental agencies, private sector environmental consultants, and
environmental management departments within industry.
Join SPEA graduates working in organizations such as:
| • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| • U.S. Geological Survey |
• U.S. Department of the Interior |
| • U.S. Department of Agriculture |
• U.S. Department of Energy |
| • State Environmental Protection Agencies |
• The Nature Conservancy |
| • State Departments of Natural Resources |
• Consulting firms |
| • Soil and Water Conservation Districts |
• And many more… |
Follow the
Alumni link to learn more about positions our alumni hold and to read profiles of alumni
highlighted in our Environmental Science Report.
Graduates leave SPEA with professional expertise and tools to approach the vast variety of
water resource needs. The diversity and accomplishments among the SPEA faculty allow flexibility
for SPEA graduate students to tailor their degrees to best match their environmental career goals.
Research & Tools
SPEA faculty research helps prepare graduate students for careers in such areas as hydrology, waste site
remediation, drinking water protection, water quality assessment, and watershed management. The faculty
pursue leading-edge research and publish in top journals in the areas of groundwater flow modeling, chemical
fate and transport modeling, biogeochemistry, limnology, wetlands ecology, and climate change. Often involved
in government service assignments and private consulting, the faculty bring a wealth of practical experience
to the classroom. Master's students frequently participate in faculty research and professional service,
such as SPEA's participation in Indiana's "Clean Lakes Program."
SPEA Faculty with a Focus in Water Resources
Christopher Craft, Wetland ecology
Henk Haitjema, Groundwater flow modeling
William W. Jones, Lake and watershed management
Flynn Picardal, Subsurface environmental microbiology
Todd V. Royer, Aquatic biogeochemistry
Jeffrey White, Aquatic chemistry and limnology
Curriculum for the Water Resources Concentration
Students begin to develop needed technical tools in the MSES core. The 18-credit-hour
core courses consist of:
- Applied Mathematics for Environmental Science (E526)
- Applied Ecology (E527)
- Environmental Chemistry (E536)
- Statistics for Environmental Science (E538)
- Environmental Engineering (E552)
- Public Management Economics (V517) or Environmental Law (V645)
To ensure a balanced training in all three aspects of water resources—aquatic biology,
aquatic chemistry, and hydrology—the Water Resources concentration also includes these specific
advanced courses:
- Limnology (E455)
- Aquatic Chemistry (E539) or Fate of Organic Contaminants in the Environment (E555)
- Groundwater Flow Modeling (E554)
SPEA also offers a wide range of electives to meet individual objectives. With the approval of a
Water Resources advisor, students may select from many elective options, including the following:
- Wetlands Biology (E440)
- Vector-based Geographic Information Systems (E518)
- Applied Remote Sensing of the Environment (E519)
- Applications of Geographic Information Systems (E529)
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (E537)
- Bioremediation and Subsurface Microbiology (E544)
- Lake and Watershed Management (E545)
- Stream Ecology (E546)
- Soil Science (E570)
- Surface Water Hydrology (G550)
- Advanced Hydrogeology (G551)
Students pursuing the thesis option will sign up for Research in Environmental Science (E625)
to fulfill some portion of their concentration electives.
Students pursuing the non-thesis option generally complete an appropriate internship during the
summer between their first and second years in the program.
The coursework in each concentration culminates in a project-oriented course that integrates
knowledge gained throughout the program and applies it to issues related to the student’s concentration.
The project-oriented course may be selected from among the following:
- Stream Ecology (E546)
- Environmental Risk Analysis (E560)
- Environmental Analysis Workshop (E620)
- Environmental Policy Analysis (V520)
- Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs (V600)
- Workshop in Public Affairs (V601)
Why limit yourself to one concentration? Check out our Dual Concentrations
Dual concentrations combining, for example, Water Resources with the Applied Ecology concentration
or with the Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment concentration are an option for
those students seeking additional breadth in environmental science. SPEA faculty are eager to work with
you to accommodate your specific career objectives.
Specialized
A student whose educational and professional goals are not satisfied by pre-established concentrations may design, in concert with one or more faculty advisors, a specialized concentration that better suits his/her needs. A Specialized Concentration form which specifies the courses to comprise the Specialized Concentration must be signed by the student, the student's advisor and the Graduate Program Director. This form is available in the SPEA Records Office, Room 253. To ensure approval of a specialized Concentration, it is advisable to return completed Specialized Concentration forms to the Records Office prior to enrolling in relevant courses.
Although no specific guidelines exist for the courses to be included, students are encouraged to take SPEA classes whenever possible. JD/MPA and JD/MSES concentrations require a minimum of twelve credit hours. All other Specialized Concentrations involve a minimum of eighteen credit hours.
Although students must name Specialized Concentrations, these names will not appear on IU transcripts. Instead, after "Major" the word "Specialized" will appear.
Examples of clusters of courses that may qualify as Specialized Concentrations are presented below:
Sample MPA Specialized Concentration
E542 Hazardous Materials
V566 Executive Leadership
V550 Topics in Public Affairs
E547 Applied Earth Science
V512 Public Policy Process
V645 Environmental Law
Sample MPA/MSES Specialized Concentration
V541 Benefit Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies
V625 Environmental Economics and Policy
V643 Natural Resource Management and Policy
E455 Limnology
E537 Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
BUS K520 Introduction to Operations Research
BUS K610 Topics Mathematical Programming
Sample JD/MSES Specialized Concentration
E520 Environmental Toxicology
E515 Fundamentals of Air Pollution
E528 Forest Ecology and Management
E560 Environmental Risk Analysis
Sample MSES Specialized Concentration
E515 Fundamentals of Air Pollution
E520 Environmental Toxicology
E579 Readings in Environmental Science
E560 Environmental Risk Analysis
E555 Topics in Environmental Science
E549 Environmental Planning
Sample JD/MPA Specialized Concentration
V645 Environmental Law
V625 Environmental Economics and Policy
E510 Hazardous Materials Regulation
V564 Urban Management
What can you do with an
MSES or MSES-MPA or MSES-JD or MSES-MA?
Wildlife biologist with the Geological Survey. Attorney for the EPA. Natural areas manager for Chicago
Parks. Dean at Stanford University. They’re all SPEA alumni and they all know first-hand just how far you
can go with our Environmental Science degrees. Click on any degree to reveal a sampling of our successful
graduates (each of the following are internal links to the heading within the tables).
MSES (Applied Ecology)
MSES (Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment)
MSES (Water Resources)
MSES-MPA
MSES-JD
MSES-MA Biology
MSES-MA Geography
MSES-MA Geology
More details about the career paths and accomplishments of several of our alumni can be found in the “Alumni News”
section of the current and archived issues of our
Environmental Science Report. Also, SPEA's Office of Career Services posts some
open jobs and internships.
APPLIED ECOLOGY
Federal Government |
| Biologist/
Biological Resources Div. |
Biologist/
Biological Resources Div. |
Herndon |
VA |
MSES |
| Environmental Protection Specialist |
Crane NSWC |
Crane |
IN |
MSES |
| Supervisory Fish & Wildlife Biologist |
US Fish and Wildlife Service |
Portland |
OR |
MSES |
| Research Botanist, Dist Ecology/Mgmt |
USDA Forest Service |
Morgantown |
WV |
MSES/MA Biology |
| Research Botanist, Dist Ecology/Mgmt |
US Geological Survey |
Laurel |
MD |
MSES |
State Government |
| Assistant Professional Scientist |
Illinois State Water Survey |
Champaign |
IL |
MSES |
| Attorney At Law |
Ohio EPA |
Columbus |
OH |
MSES |
| Coordinator for Hoosier Riverwatch |
Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
| Senior Reclamation Specialist |
Utah Department of Natural Resources |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
MSES |
| State Cleanup Section Chief |
IN Dept of Environmental Mgmt |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
Local Government |
| Engineering Project Coordinator |
City of Austin |
Austin |
TX |
MSES |
| Environmental Sanitarian |
Putnam County Board of Health |
Greencastle |
IN |
MSES |
| Natural Areas Manager |
Chicago Park District |
Chicago |
IL |
MSES |
| Water Planning Technician |
Denver Regional Council Govts |
Denver |
CO |
MSES |
Consulting Firms |
| President |
Environmental Audits Inc |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES
|
| Principal |
Ecotone Inc |
Jarrettsville |
MD |
MSES |
| Director of Ecological Project |
Intercet |
McLean |
VA |
MSES |
| Senior Scientist |
ATC Associates Inc |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
| Specialist NPS Pollution |
Environmental Compliance Servs |
Buffalo |
NY |
MSES |
Industry and Utilities |
| Environmental Coordinator |
Florida Power Corp |
St. Petersburg |
FL |
MSES/MPA |
| Environmental Health & Safety Manager |
International Truck and Engine |
Springfield |
OH |
MSES |
| Environmental Technician PSI |
PSI |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
| Field Analyst |
Navigation Technologies |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
Academic Institutions |
|
|
|
|
| Dean, School of Earth Sciences |
Stanford University |
Stanford |
CA |
MSES |
| Research Associates |
University of Rhode Island |
Kingston |
RI |
MSES |
| Program Specialist |
Ohio State University |
Columbus |
OH |
MSES |
| Assistant Professor |
Georgia State University |
Atlanta |
GA |
MSES |
| AHEC Assistant Director of Programs |
Nova Southeastern University |
Fort Lauderdale |
FL |
MSES |
Other |
| Aquatic Biological Technician |
Lake Michian Ecological Rsrch |
Chesterton |
IN |
MSES |
| Land Protection Specialist |
The Nature Conservancy |
Minneapolis |
MN |
MSES |
| Researcher |
Starr Ranch Sanctuary |
Trabuco Canyon |
CA |
MSES |
Top of section
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY, TOXICOLOGY
& RISK ASSESSMENT, AND RELATED AREAS
Federal Government |
| Supervisory Hydrologist |
US Geological Survey |
Sacramento |
CA |
MSES |
| Environmental Protection Specialist |
Office of Compliance, US EPA |
Washington |
DC |
MSES/MPA |
| Contaminants Biologist |
US Dept of Interior |
Athens |
GA |
MSES |
| Presidential Management Intern |
US Dept of Interior |
Washington |
DC |
MSES/MPA |
State Government |
| Environmental Scientist |
Wisconsin Dept Natural Resrcs |
Madison |
WI |
MSES |
| Environmental Scientist |
Indiana Dept of Environ Mgmt |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
| Regulatory Compliance Specialist |
IN Assoc of Rural Electrics |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
| Environmental Technologist |
State of KY Div of Waste Mgt |
Frankfort |
KY |
MSES |
| Stormwater Engineer |
Florida Dept Environ Protection |
Pensacola |
FL |
MSES/MPA |
Local Government |
|
|
|
|
| Science Coordinator |
Puget Sound Regional Council |
Olympia |
WA |
MSES |
| Senior GIS Analyst |
Puget Sound Regional Council |
Seattle |
WA |
MSES |
| GLS Administrator |
City of Indianapolis |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
| Environmental Officer |
Kansas City Office of Environ Mgmt |
Kansas City |
MO |
MSES |
| District Manager |
Brown County Solid Waste Dist. |
Nashville |
IN |
MSES |
Consulting Firms |
| Solid Waste/P2 Program Manager |
URS |
Fort Polk |
LA |
MSES |
| Scientist |
Radian International |
Sacramento |
CA |
MSES |
| Senior Project Manager |
ISSI Consulting Group |
Denver |
CO |
MSES/MPA |
| Environmental Analyst |
Strategic Mgmnt Initiatives |
Gaithersburg |
MD |
MSES |
| Principal |
Law Engineering & Environ Sys |
Charlotte |
NC |
MSES |
Industry and Utilities |
| Vice President, Operations |
Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions LLC |
Bloomington |
IN |
MSES |
| Sr. Regulatory Representative |
Eli Lilly and Company |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
| Senior Attorney |
Eastman Chemical Company |
Kingsport |
TN |
MSES |
| Chemist |
The Dow Chemical Company |
Midland |
MI |
MSES |
| Program Manager |
Briggs Stratton Power Products |
Jefferson |
WI |
MSES/MPA |
Academic Institutions |
|
|
|
|
| Associate Professor |
Indiana University |
Bloomington |
IN |
MSES |
| Assistant Professor |
University of Georgia |
Athens |
GA |
MSES |
| Environmental Consultant, KY Bus Env. Prgm |
University of Kentucky |
Lexington |
KY |
MSES |
| Manager Lab Sfty Prg Envir Hlth Sfty |
Cornell University |
Ithaca |
NY |
MSES |
Top of section
WATER RESOURCES
Federal Government |
| Assistant Scientist |
Argonne National Laboratory |
Lamont |
IL |
MSES |
| Policy Analyst |
US Environmental Protection Agency |
Washington |
DC |
MSES/MPA |
| Agriculture Specialist |
US Customs and Border Protection |
Houston |
TX |
MSES |
| Hydrologist |
US Geological Survey |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
| Chief, Planning & Evaluation Branch |
National Park Service |
National Park Service |
CO |
MSES |
Local Government |
| Water Resources Scientist |
Cape Cod Commission |
Barnstable |
MA |
MSES/MPA |
| Water Resource Specialist |
Lake County Dept of Public Works |
Lakeport |
CA |
MSES |
| Water Quality Specialist |
Minneapolis Park/Rec Board |
Minneapolis |
MN |
MSES |
| Project Manager/Watershed Planner |
NYC Dept of Environmental Protection |
Valhalla |
NY |
MSES/MPA |
| Environmental Specialist |
St. Johns River Water Management |
Palatka |
FL |
MSES |
Consulting Firms |
| Aquatic Ecologist/Project Manager |
JF New & Associates Inc |
Walkerton |
IN |
MSES |
| Environmental Scientist |
Dames & Moore |
Brussels |
|
MSES/MPA |
| Geochemist Project Manager |
Envirocorp Services & Technology Inc |
South Bend |
IN |
MSES |
| Senior Project Manager |
ATC Associates, Inc |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSES |
| Water Resources Project Manager |
Woodward-Clyde Consultants |
Portland |
OR |
MSES |
Industry and Utilities |
| Manager, Environmental Operations |
Anheuser Busch Companies Inc |
Baldwinsville |
NY |
MSES |
| Environmental Coordinator |
Florida Power Corporation |
St. Petersburg |
FL |
MSES |
| Brine Coalition Coordinator |
Southwest Indiana Brine Co |
Winslow |
IN |
MSES |
Other |
| Junior Researcher |
Technical University of Delft |
Delft |
|
MSES |
| Director, Environmental Protection Office |
Red Lake DNR |
Red Lake |
MN |
MSES/MPA |
| Hydrologist & Project Manager |
Nez Perce Tribe |
Lolo |
MT |
MSES |
| Champlain Valley Program Director |
Nature Conservancy |
Keene Valley |
NY |
MSES |
| Research Assistant |
Hydro-Engineering Institute |
Sarajevo |
|
MSES |
| Collections Manager |
Indiana Biological Society |
Bloomington |
IN |
MSES |
Top of section
MSES-MPA
International |
| Africa Program Specialist |
USDA Forest Service International Program |
Washington |
DC |
| Community Liaison Officer |
US Embassy, Mexico City |
Mexico City, Mexico |
| Foreign Service Officer |
US Agency International Development |
Washington |
DC |
| Regional Environment Officer, E. Africa |
US Embassy |
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Vulnerability Analysis Coordinator |
United Nations FAO |
Bangkok, Thailand |
| Sea Sampler Biological Observer |
International Pacific Halibut |
Seattle |
WA |
Federal Government |
| Agriculture Statistician |
USDA |
Washington |
DC |
| Analyst |
US Government Accountability Office |
Washington |
DC |
| Chief of Staff |
Corp for National & Comm Service |
Washington |
DC |
| Climate Policy Analyst |
US EPA Office of Compliance |
Washington |
DC |
| Program Examiner |
Office of Management & Budget |
Washington |
DC |
| Public Affairs Specialist |
US Fish & Wildlife Service |
Athens |
GA |
| Toxicologist |
US EPA |
Kansas City |
KS |
| Program Specialist |
Nat'l Invasive Species Council |
Washington |
DC |
Regional, State, and Local Government |
| Director Environmental Protection Office |
Red Lake DNR |
Red Lake |
MN |
| Environmental Administrator/Planner |
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary |
North Fort Myers |
FL |
| Aquatic Biologist |
IN Dept of Natural Resources |
Indianapolis |
IN |
| Information Services Manager |
Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife |
Bend |
OR |
| Senior Environmental Planner |
Washington Department Ecology |
Olympia |
WA |
| Sr Supervising Environmental Analyst |
South Florida Water Mgmt Dist |
West Palm Beach |
FL |
| Stormwater Engineer |
Florida Dept of Environ Protection |
Pensacola |
FL |
Consulting, Industry, Utilities |
| Associate Environmental Scientist |
Montgomery Watson |
Madison |
WI |
| Environmental Scientist |
Stillwater Sciences |
Berkeley |
CA |
| Environmental Scientist |
CH2M-Hill |
Herndon |
VA |
| Environmental Policy Analyst |
Environment International |
Seattle |
WA |
| Environmental Coordinator |
Florida Power Corp |
St Petersburg |
FL |
| Lab Manager |
Antarctic Support Associates |
Englewood |
CO |
| OHS Manager |
Graco Inc |
Minneapolis |
MN |
| Program Manager |
Briggs Stratton Power Products |
Jefferson |
Wi |
| Senior Analyst |
ABT Associates Incorporated |
Bethesda |
MD |
| Research Analyst |
Princeton Energy Resources Institute |
Rockville |
MD |
Research Institutes and Nonprofit Agencies |
| Population Health/Environment Fellow |
Population Reference Bureau |
Washington |
DC |
| Program Director |
Marine Conservation Biology Inst |
Arlington |
VA |
| Research and Information Systems Director |
Mineral Policy Center |
Washington |
DC |
| Research Assistant |
Resources for the Future |
Washington |
DC |
| Research Associate/Project Manager |
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy |
Washington |
DC |
Top of section
MSES-JD
Private Practice |
| Attorney At Law |
Law Offices of Steven L. Parker |
Fayetteville |
AR |
| Attorney At Law |
Eli Lilly and Company |
Indianapolis |
IN |
| Partner |
Montgomery McCracken Walker Rhoads |
Philadelphia |
PA |
| Counsel |
Dechert LLP |
Philadelphia |
PA |
Government |
| Sr Counsel for Environmental Compliance |
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin |
Silver Spring |
MD |
| Attorney/Advisor |
US Environmental Protection Agency |
Washington |
DC |
| Assistant Regional Counsel |
US EPA Region 9 |
San Francisco |
CA |
| Attorney At Law |
Indiana Dept Environmental Mgmt |
Indianapolis |
IN |
Industry |
| Patent Attorney |
Motorola Inc. |
Schaumburg |
IL |
Academia |
| Part-Time Instructor |
University of New Mexico |
Los Alamos |
NM |
| Research & Writing Professor |
University of Cincinnati |
Cincinnati |
OH |
Top of section
MSES-MA Biology
| Ecologist |
US Geological Survey |
Columbia |
MO |
| Ecologist |
Los Alamos National Laboratories |
Los Alamos |
NM |
| Environmental Health & Safety Manager |
International Truck and Engine |
Springfield |
OH |
| Naturalist |
Monroe County Parks & Rec |
Bloomington |
IN |
| Research Associate |
University of Rhode Island |
Kingston |
RI |
| Research Botanist, Dist Ecology/Mgmt |
USDA Forest Service |
Morgantown |
WV |
Top of section
MSES-MA Geography
| Associate Professor |
University of Memphis |
Memphis |
TN |
| Field Cartographer |
ETAK Inc |
Seattle |
WA |
| TIS Software Instructor |
ESRI |
Redlands |
CA |
Top of section
MSES-MA Geology
| President & CEO |
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy |
Pittsburgh |
PA |
| Science Specialist, K-6 |
Savage Elementary School |
Savage |
MN |