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An environmental educator teaching four children how to garden

Curriculum

MA, Environmental Conservation Education

Not Accepting Applications

To best meet the needs of our students, we have decided to suspend enrollment in the Master of Arts in Environmental Conservation Education. We encourage you to explore Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education (MA), Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy (MA), Food Studies (MA), Learning Technology and Experience Design (MA), or Teaching Science: Transformational Teaching Grades 7–12, Initial Certification (MAT).

The MA in Environmental Conservation Education prepares students for various careers in the environmental conservation space. Designed to be multifaceted and interdisciplinary, students learn to integrate social and natural sciences and how they affect the planet daily. Through fieldwork and seminar courses, students engage with their communities and ecosystems to fully understand the profound effects of human activity on the planet.   

Core Course Sequence & Electives 

The ECE program blends foundational instruction in the theory and practice of environmental conservation with in-depth analysis of environmental history, human impact, and current trends in environmental education. Students will engage in a semester-long internship, allowing them to engage with organizations working to maintain environmental conversation, locally and globally.  The program culminates in a capstone project that represents a new learning/contribution to the field of environmental conservation education. You’ll also have the opportunity to take elective classes in areas like food studies, animal studies, and sustainability

Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
Env. Conservation Education Core Courses
ENYC-GE 2005Cities and Their Environments3
ENYC-GE 2019Fundamentals of Environmental Thought3
ENYC-GE 2021Environmental Politics3
ENYC-GE 2022Environmental Education: Theory & Practice3
Content Core Science
At least two Ecology- or Science-related courses6
ENYC-GE 2070
Urban Ecology
ENYC-GE 2069
Field Studies in Ecology at Black Rock Forest
FOOD-GE 2030
Introduction to Urban Agriculture
EHSC-GA 1005
Ecotoxicology: Hudson River Case Study
ENYC-GE 2010
SCIED-GE 2050
Using Non Formal Resources to Teach Science and Sustainability
Internship
ENYC-GE 2024Internship in Environ Conservation Educ1-6
Culminating Experience
ENYC-GE 2023Final Sem in Environ Conservation Educ2-3
Electives
By advisement.12
Total Credits37

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
ECE Core course 3
ECE Core course 3
ECE Core Course 3
ECE Core Course 3
 Credits12
2nd Semester/Term
ENYC-GE 2024 Internship in Environ Conservation Educ 1-6
ECE Core course 3
ECE Core Course 3
Elective  
 Credits12
3rd Semester/Term
ENYC-GE 2023 Final Sem in Environ Conservation Educ 2-3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 4
 Credits13
 Total Credits37