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Program Description

For more than 30 years, the 37-point MA program in Environmental Conservation Education has prepared graduates for environmental careers in the field of education.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Our interdisciplinary approach draws on both theory and practice.  This approach integrates the natural and social sciences with education and field work to help you gain an understanding of the profound effects of human activity on the planet and the role of education in solving environmental problems.

The program draws on faculty from a wide variety of disciplines within the University including education, history, philosophy, law, journalism, science, health, and the arts.

Three required courses in environmental thought, environmental debates, and environmental politics introduce you to the theories, policies, and ethics that have shaped public discourse and understanding of our environment.

A fourth required course in the theory and practice of environmental education examines national and local models of environmental education, analyzes their relationship to contemporary issues of environmental literacy, and develops students' competencies in planning environmental education programs.

Elective Choices

Electives allow you to tailor their program of study to fit your particular conservation education interests in areas such as environmental justice, curriculum design, teacher education, policy studies, ecology, youth education, wildlife education, and sustainability.  You may take electives within Steinhardt, the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Our program also has a strong affiliation with the Science Education Program in Steinhardt's Department of Teaching and Learning, and the Wallerstein Collaborative for Urban Environmental Education, which provide you with numerous opportunities to study and work closely with science education faculty on research, curriculum projects, and other environmental initiatives.

Fieldwork and Internships

The integration of coursework with required field work provides you with a unique urban experience in environmental education. We make ample use of the vast resources available in New York City through which our students study contemporary environmental issues and programs, evaluate, develop or implement educational initiatives for children, youth, and adults, or undertake applied research in environmental education.

Our students complete internships in a wide variety of organizations.  Internships often lead directly to jobs upon graduation.  Such sites include:

• New York City Audubon
• Council on the Environment of New York City
• Jane Goodall Institute
• New York City Soil and Water Conservation District
• The United Nations
• New York League of Conservation Voters
• The Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination
• Wildlife Conservation Society
• High School of Environmental Studies
• Harbor School
• American Museum of Natural History
• The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• Wave Hill

The University's own Sustainability Initiative provides additional opportunities for involvement and learning.

Mission Statement

The Masters in Environmental Education is designed to help students gain an understanding of the profound effects of human activity on the planet and the role of education in solving environmental problems.

Through an interdisciplinary curriculum that covers topics such as environmental thought, environmental debates, and environmental politics, students are introduced to the theories, policies, and ethics that have shaped public discourse and understanding of our environment. The program also asks students to examine national and local models of environmental education, analyze their relationship to contemporary issues of environmental literacy, and develop competencies in planning environmental education programs.

Student Learning Objectives

• Students will understand the profound effects of human activity on the planet and the critical role of education in solving environmental problems.
• Students will become familiar with theories and policies that have shaped public discourse and understanding of the environment.
• Students will become familiar with national and local models of environmental education, be able analyze contemporary environmental issues, and use environmental education as an interdisciplinary tool in fostering environmental literacy and sustainability.
• Students will apply interdisciplinary content knowledge with field experiences and internships in developing competencies in environmental education which include one or more of the following: program design, curriculum development, evaluation, grant writing, policy analysis and non-profit management. 
• Students will apply environmental education theories across a broad range of formal and non-formal settings including but not limited to schools, cultural institutions, government agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations both locally and globally. 

NYU's Eco-Friendly Community

Our program is located on one of the most eco-friendly campuses in the country. Sierra Club's 2009 list of "Cool Schools" placed NYU, for the first time, in their top 20 list of eco-enlightened universities. NYU remains today among the Sierra Club's Coolest Schools.

NYU has made tremendous strides in the last several years to reduce its energy consumption and improve energy efficiency in many areas, including food, academics, purchasing, transportation, waste management, and administration. Many residence hall dining rooms are trayless to save water, students use compact fluorescent light bulbs in their rooms, food waste is composted and used for our gardens, biking to school is encouraged and supported, recycling is widespread, and local produce and food products are common. NYU's co-generation plant reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 23% and air pollutants by 68% while providing electricity for 22 NYU buildings.

The University's Sustainability Task Force awards grants to student-led green projects around campus to advance the university's leadership in best environmental practices and technologies. Members of the Task Force include students, staff, and faculty from across NYU, including the Environmental Conservation Education program director, Dr. Mary Leou. Its initiatives offer many opportunities for students in our program to be engaged in local environmental education and sustainability initiatives. 

For more information about our MA program, please contact:

Dr. Mary Leou
Program Director
212-998-5474
mary.leou@nyu.edu

Dr. Howard S. Schiffman
212-992-9365
howard.schiffman@nyu.edu