Dual Degree Programs

M.S./M.B.A. Degree Program

The dual degree offered through Bard CEP and Bard MBA is a three-year program designed for students developing careers at the intersection of policy and business. Students come away with master's-level training in environmental or climate policy, and a business degree focused on sustainability and social justice. The interdisciplinary coursework of CEP, where students study environmental economics, policy, law, and science combined with the management, leadership, and business skills acquired through the MBA create a dual-degree program is that innovative in its focus and design.

The MS/MBA degree option is for students developing careers that combine the skills needed in both policy and business. Students begin study at Bard CEP (at Bard's Hudson Valley campus) and complete the first-year curriculum in either environmental policy or climate science and policy. They then proceed into the NYC-based, hybrid MBA program in their second year. The third year is primarily based in NYC at the MBA program, but students are simultaneously completing a Master's Capstone Project that fulfills requirements for both programs.

Curriculum

Year One: The first year of the program is completed at Bard College at the Center for Environmental Policy enrolled in the first-year curriculum of either M.S. track (Environmental Policy or Climate Science and Policy).

Year Two: The second year is primarily completed in New York City and online in the MBA in Sustainability's program’s first year curriculum. Students enroll in a 3-credit policy internship in the summer after their first or second year of courses. The MBA NYCLab course and the 3-credit policy internship fulfills the CEP internship requirement during the second year.

Year Three*: During the third year, students enroll in the second-year MBA curriculum and complete a concurrent CEP Master's Project and MBA Capstone Project. Students may waive out of one MBA course and two CEP courses.

Final Project: Students may choose to complete a separate CEP Master's Project and MBA Capstone Project or structure a singular project in a way that meets the requirements of both programs.

*Note that MS/MBA students often choose to spread their studies out over 4 or 5 years, enabling them to reduce out-of-pocket tuition expenses, continue working, or engage more deeply with extracurricular options.

Admissions

Applying: Students must complete separate online applications for each program. Applications will be reviewed and applicants admitted independently by each program. Academic transcripts, writing samples, letters of recommendation, and personal statements can be shared between the programs. It is recommended that the letters of recommendation and personal statements, if shared, be written to speak to the student’s interests and aptitude for both programs. The application fee will be waived on the second application submitted - applicants must email the admissions office to ensure they are not charged twice.

DEADLINES
Simultaneous Submissions – students who submit applications at the same time will, upon acceptance to both programs, defer enrollment in the MBA program for one year.
Sequential Submissions – students may submit and enroll in the CEP program first and then submit their MBA application while enrolled in the first year at Bard CEP.

FINANCIAL AID
Students will receive a financial aid package (including fellowships, scholarships, campus employment, and/or student loans) upon acceptance in the CEP program. The package will be applied to their first year at CEP. Students should expect to receive the same tuition discount (in percentage-off terms) once enrolled in MBA courses. Scholarships and campus employment are awarded on a per-program basis and will not be renewed annually. Student loan eligibility remains the same each year.

M.S./M.A.T. Program

Bard CEP offers a dual degree with Bard’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program for motivated students seeking both advanced knowledge in environmental policy and professional certification in secondary education. Dual degree students can pursue a two-year or three-year option to earn an M.S. in either environmental policy or climate science and policy, and teacher training in literature, math, biology, or history.

The M.S./M.A.T. is for students seeking advanced knowledge in environmental policy and certification in secondary education. Applicants must apply to both programs separately. Dual-degree students can pursue a 2-year or 3-year option to earn an M.S. in environmental policy or climate science and policy, and a teaching degree in literature, math, biology, or history.

The Bard MAT: Bard College has a national reputation as a liberal arts college that emphasizes the best kinds of teaching. The MAT Program reflects this reputation: it fosters scholarship, intelligence, and creativity, qualities that are the hallmark of fine teachers.

"The opportunity to combine graduate study—master of science in environmental policy and master of arts in teaching—has uniquely prepared me for a career in science education. Bard CEP’s rigorous course work has provided me with a breadth and depth of knowledge and the tools to critically analyze environment problems. These skills enable me to teach not only high school biology in New York City, but also to develop my own environmental courses to share these skills with my students."

Ariadne Prior-Grosch ’13
Living Environment Teacher at The Academy for Software Engineering, New York City

Two-Year Program

To complete the dual degree in two years, students start at Bard CEP, taking first-year courses in either M.S. degree track, qualifying them to earn a professional certificate. Students then enroll in the one-year MAT degree and complete the intensive, 12-month teacher-training program. To earn their M.S. degree, students must take the Master’s Project and Seminar course and the Capstone Seminar during the spring term of their second year, while enrolled full-time for the MAT. Students can complete the master's project during the spring semester or during an additional summer semester at Bard. Faculty from both programs serve as advisers for the Master's Project.Course Schedule:Year 1 Bard CEP first-year course work in either M.S. degree (EP or CSP)

Year 2 MAT classes (full-time, beginning in June), and completion of Bard CEP Master’s Project Proposal and Master’s Project and

Seminar (Students may complete their project over the summer after their second year)

Three-Year Program

To complete the dual degree in three years, students take the first-year CEP curriculum, qualifying them to earn a professional certificate in environmental policy or climate science and policy. Students then enroll in the two-year MAT degree and complete the 24-month teacher training program in their chosen discipline. For the M.S. degree, students begin researching and writing their Master's Project during the spring of their second year (their first year at MAT), in conjunction with the MAT academic research project. In addition to the thesis, students must complete the Master’s Project and Seminar class and the Capstone Seminar.Course ScheduleYear 1 Bard CEP first-year course work in either M.S. degree (EP or CSP)

Year 2 Bard MAT classes (part-time, beginning in June)

Year 3 Bard MAT classes (part-time) and completion of Bard CEP Master’s Project Proposal and Master’s Project and Seminar

M.S./J.D. Program

This program combines Bard’s innovative graduate curriculum with one of the nation’s top environmental law programs. The M.S./J.D. dual-degree program allows students to complete, in an accelerated period, a master of science degree in either environmental policy or climate science and policy at Bard College and a doctorate in jurisprudence with a certificate in environmental law at Pace University.

The M.S./J.D. program is designed to enhance students’ learning and provide vital preparation for careers in environmental decision-making. Lawyers with a background in environmental policy are equipped to understand complex environmental problems, enabling in-depth analysis and problem solving in the scientific, political, and economic arenas. A law degree allows policy-makers to work in high-level positions drafting and analyzing legislation and regulation.

Pace Law School has an excellent selection of courses that cover national and international environmental, climate, energy, and land-use topics, an abundance of research opportunities, expert faculty, and hands-on experiences available to its students.

“The Bard CEP program offers a great foundation in the many technical aspects of environmental issues that no serious environmental law student should miss.”

Steven Sarno MS/JD '09
Corporate Counsel, Environmental Compliance, Amazon

Curriculum

The M.S./J.D. program consists of four years in residence, two-and-a-half years at Pace and one-and-a-half years at Bard. Students usually begin the dual degree at Bard in either the environmental policy or climate science and policy graduate program gaining a strong foundation in environmental economics, science, policy, and law.

After completing the first year of master's coursework at Bard, students begin a full-time course of study at Pace for the next two and a half years. The Bard CEP first year curriculum sets the stage for study in environmental law. The internship requirement for Bard CEP may be fulfilled through completion of a previously approved Pace internship, externship, or clinic program that has an environmental focus. (First-year law students at Pace can apply to the dual degree, and if accepted, commence their M.S. degree in year two, and then return to Pace for three more semesters.)

All students return to Bard in the spring of the fourth year to complete final courses and a master’s thesis, supporting the development of deep individual expertise. In this way, students develop broad knowledge of environmental policy and law; a suite of analytical, communication, and problem solving skills; professional experience in their chosen field; and finally, they become experts on topics that they have selected.

Course Work

Year 1 First-year M.S. course work at Bard
Year 2 First-year L1 course work at Pace Law School
Summer Pace internship or externship
Year 3 Second-year L2 course work at Pace Law School
Summer Pace internship or externship
Year 4 Completion of Pace classes (fall) and second-year Bard classes (spring)

Dual-Degree Programs

MS/MBA • MS/MAT • MS/JD • MEd/MAT