Social Science, Environment and Community Concentration, M.A.

This is a two-year, interdisciplinary graduate program focused on understanding and advancing sustainability and community resilience within the context of social and environmental change at multiple scales. The program is committed to conceptually rigorous, applied research on sustainability and equity in a manner that transcends a nature-society dichotomy. Students explore these topics through graduate seminars in three curriculum areas: economic and political dimensions; socio-cultural dimensions: race, class, gender and place; and environmental dimensions. Capstone topics for graduate students in this program include the following general themes: sustainable food systems, community-natural resource management interactions, environmental and social justice, environmental education, Native American/indigenous natural resource management, and sustainable urban communities. Our graduates pursue successful careers in the nonprofit sector, education, private sector, and public sector. 

Program Admission Requirements

Postbaccalaureate Candidate Pathway

• Completed BA or BS degree
• GPA not less than 3.00 in the last 60 units of college coursework
• Three letters of recommendation
• Candidate statement of purpose (prompts are available on the Environment & Community Program website)
• Ten-page writing sample
• Graduate coordinator approval after faculty committee review of application file 

Bachelor’s + Master’s (Undergraduate) Pathway

The Social Science, Environment and Community program has developed, in conjunction with select undergraduate majors, dual degree pathways that enable exceptional students to simultaneously earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years. Although the pathway does not change undergraduate major nor graduate degree requirements, students in the program seamlessly progress from undergraduate to graduate status. Students are eligible to apply for the pathway upon completion of 60 units. A faculty committee evaluates student applications. Participation is based on prior academic performance and other measures of academic excellence.

Contact the program coordinator for majors that participate.

Requirements for the Degree (36 units)

For a description of degree requirements to be fulfilled in addition to those listed below see, “Master’s Degree Requirements ”.