Professional Certificates

Professional Certificates in

Environmental Policy or Climate Science and Policy

The Professional Certificate in Environmental Policy or Climate Science and Policy is earned by completing a minimum of 24 credits of coursework at Bard CEP, over either one year (two semesters) or two years (four semesters). The Certificate may be earned jointly with the Bard MBA in Sustainability or on a stand-alone basis for mid-career professionals seeking to pursue further education or a career opportunity. The Certificate program includes the opportunity to pursue Bard CEP's signature professional internship experience, earning up to six credits in a high-level placement that can be either paid or unpaid.

About the program:

Students earn a Professional Certificate in Environmental Policy or Climate Science and Policy by completing a minimum of 24 credits of graduate coursework in the Bard Center for Environmental Policy, that must include:

3 credits of environmental economics or natural resource economics
6 credits of environmental policy and/or environmental law
3 credits of science (environmental science of natural environments, environmental science of built environments, or climate science)
3 credits of communication
2-3 credits of statistics or GIS

Students may earn up to 6 credits towards the degree through completion of a professional internship. Bard CEP has a well-developed, mentored internship program for graduate students in the M.S. degree programs, focused on high-level professional policy experience.

As part of the communication sequence, students must complete a major literature review in a sub-field of environmental policy. The certificate program can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Upon admission, students will be assigned an academic advisor to develop an individualized curriculum.

Should the Certificate recipient decide to continue toward the master's degree, either immediately or at a later time, second year course work and all other requirements may be completed within five years from the date of matriculation.

Who should choose a Professional Certificate in Environmental Policy?

1. Mid-Career Professionals

For mid-career professionals who are seeking to increase their knowledge of environmental policy issues in the fields of environmental economics, environmental law, environmental policy, and natural and climate science and build out skillsets in data analysis, science communications, and GIS, the Professional Certificate in Environmental Policy or Climate Science and Policy is an ideal option. Students can take courses over one year or two, while they continue to work. These students are not looking for the career development or research experience provided by the professional internship and Master’s Project, respectively, that students gain in the second year of the MS degree programs. Mid-career professionals should contact the Admissions Office (845-758-7073) for more information on enrolling in the Professional Certificate program.

2. First-Year Center for Environmental Policy Students

Occasionally a student enrolled in their first year in the MS program decides not to continue into their second year of study at Bard CEP—skipping the internship and Master’s Project—for various reasons (personal responsibilities that arise, change of academic interest, professional opportunities that present themselves, etc.). M.S. students who have completed their first year of study at CEP may choose not to return for the second year and instead earn a Professional Certificate in Environmental Policy or Climate Science and Policy if they have received passing grades in the above listed coursework. Current CEP students should contact Caroline Ramaley (ramaley@bard.edu) on switching to the Professional Certificate track.

Professional Certificates