A student in a pink shirt and hat showing a document to children in an outdoor setting.

Accelerated Graduate Pathways

Students in our program may begin graduate studies in Policy, Planning & Management, Leadership Studies, or Law while still an undergraduate thus saving time and money.

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Accelerated Graduate Pathways
The tip of a canoe pointing toward a number of other canoes on a lake, each with 2-3 people. All canoes are heading toward the shore, which is covered in trees.

Community

Our field immersion weekend is fun for the whole department, designed to teach basic environmental science field skills, and the first step in building community.

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Three students squatting in a grassy area near a marsh at low tide. One student holds a notebook.

Internships

Students learn best by doing, so all ESP students are required to complete an internship.

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A student in a laboratory standing at a work bench working on a laptop. Behind her, another student holds a tubular plastic container with liquid in one hand and a large pipette in the other hand, appearing to be dropping the liquid into some green plants.

Curriculum

ESP’s hands-on curriculum is designed to train future environmental science, policy, and planning professionals for employment or graduate training.

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A student wearing rubber boots standing in the sand at low tide, holding a wooden stake and a large mallet.

Research

Our faculty are active researchers providing many opportunities for students through fellowships, paid research positions, work study, research practicum for credit, and volunteering.

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A student in a winter hat standing in front of the U.S. Capitol building, which takes up much of the background.

Careers

Students who enjoy a variety of academic subjects can really benefit from the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science & policy. Our graduates are represented in a wide variety of fields.

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Carter Frank was recently highlighted by the Maine Climate Council in a Maine Climate Council feature write-up!

Maine is the place that I’ve grown up. For me
sea level rise has been something that’s
like super prevalent. We see more money
being poured into towns to help with
some of these issues. I’m really
interested in how they can bounce back
from those impacts. My end goal would be
in City Planning. The department at USM
creates these really interesting
discussions around climate change,
looking at how we can Implement
sustainability in our cities and in our
communities. Climate&Me is planning
for the future.

  • The supportive, collaborative and immersive educational experience found in the Environmental Science and Policy Department at USM is a launching pad for tackling solutions to today’s challenges. In addition to playing a key role in my career, I formed connections to professors and friends which enrich my life to this day.
    Alumni - Owen Blease
    Owen Blease ’18
    BS Environmental Science & Policy, Park Manager IV – Sebago Lake State Park, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
  • The community connection and career development the ESP department has provided me is unmatched. As a first generation student, the support I have received has extended beyond the class room providing me with a fulfilling and balanced life.
    Alumni - Michelle Radley
    Michelle Radley ’21
    BA, Environmental Science & Policy, MS Planning, Policy & Management, Policy and mobile source section manager – MDEP, Bureau of Air Quality