All dual MPA-MSES students must take core requirements from both the MPA and MSES degree program. In some instances, students may be eligible to waive one or more MPA and/or MSES core courses based on previous coursework. All waivers for core courses must be approved by the designated gatekeepers for these requirements.
Dual degree students may pursue one of five options to complete their concentration(s). Students are also required to complete a capstone course and may select that course from either the MPA or MSES program options.
Each student should demonstrate competency in the following areas of environmental science: mathematics, statistics, chemistry, engineering principles, and ecology.
Students may seek waivers via gatekeepers based on their background or former academic training. Students may not use MSES core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
SPEA-E 538Statistics for Environmental Science
(Unless V506 has already been completed)
SPEA-E 543Environmental Management
(Unless V535 has already been completed)
SPEA-E 526Applied Mathematics for Environmental Science
Prerequisite: differential and integral calculus
SPEA-E 527Applied Ecology
SPEA-E 536Environmental Chemistry
Prerequisite: undergrad chemistry course with lab
Additional Quantitative Core course (may not double-count for other requirements)
Pick one from the list below
Quantitative Core options (choose one):
SPEA-E 518 Vector-based GIS
SPEA-E 529 Application of GIS
*Prerequisite: E518, other introductory GIS course with lab, or equivalent practical experience
SPEA-E 539 Aquatic Chemistry
*Recommended: E536
SPEA-E 554 Groundwater Flow Modeling
SPEA-E 555 Coding Series (1 credit hour each)
*Must complete all three courses in series
SPEA-I 515 Data Science for Public and Environmental Affairs
SPEA-P 507 Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs
*Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 539 Management Science for Public Affairs
*Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 541 Benefit-Cost Analysis
*Prerequisite: V517 or instructor permission
SPEA-P 562 Public Program Evaluation
*Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
SPEA-R 564 Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Design and Implementation
*Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 625 Environmental Economics and Policy
*Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 674 Energy Economics and Policy
*Prerequisite: V517
*GEOG-G 532 Physical Meteorology and Climatology
*GEOG-G 551 Physical Hydrology
*Registration in courses outside of O’Neill requires an Outside-Program Course Request Form approved by the appropriate Faculty Program Director. Please refer to the page outlining the policy on outside course substitutions.
Each student may select one of the concentration options listed on the following pages. Topics courses and independent study credits may be included in any concentration with the approval of a concentration advisor. Students also have the option of pursuing a specialized dual-degree concentration.
Dual students may pursue one of five options to complete their concentration(s).
One or more complete MPA Concentration(s), (see MPA Concentration pages for a full listing), plus 9 additional credit hours from the MSES tools and concentration courses in the E series of O’Neill courses (excluding E555 Environmental Sustainability Science). At least two MSES concentration courses must focus on science content. MSES concentration courses beyond the minimum of two science-focused courses may include tools/methods courses such as E511 Sustainability Assessment, E512 Risk Communication, E518 Vector-based GIS, E529 Applications of GIS, E555 Conservation Planning and other E555 tools, methods, or coding courses. MSES core courses (E526, E527, E536, E538 and the quantitative course selection) cannot fulfill MSES concentration credit-hour requirements. E-series courses that satisfy MPA concentration requirements (typically in MPA-Energy and Sustainability and Sustainable Development) may double count as MSES concentration courses. Please consult with your concentration advisor(s) regarding your course selections.
One or more complete MSES Concentration(s) (see MSES Concentration pages for a full listing) plus 9 additional credit hours from MPA concentration courses outside of the E-series of O’Neill courses. You may not use MPA or MSES core courses as part of your concentration credit hour requirements. Please consult with your concentration advisor(s) regarding your course selections.
One MPA Concentration (seeMPA Concentration pages for a full listing) plus one MSES Concentration (see MSES Concentration pages for a full listing). You may not use MPA or MSES core courses to count as part of your concentration credit hour requirement.Please consult with your concentration advisor(s) regarding your course selections.
There are five concentrations specifically designed for (and only available for) dual MPA-MSES students.
In conjunction with a faculty advisor, dual MPA-MSES students may design a specialize concentration. This means a student may select a balance of MPA and MSES concentration courses, typically with at least 3 courses from each side. MSES-side courses are selected from the E series of courses (excluding E555 Environmental Sustainability Science). At least two MSES-side courses must focus on science content. MSES concentration courses beyond the minimum of two science-focused courses may include tools/methods courses such as E511 Sustainability Assessment, E512 Risk Communication, E518 Vector-based GIS, E529 Applications of GIS, E555 Conservation Planning and other E555 tools, methods, or coding courses.
The MSES thesis fulfills the concentration requirement for the MSES degree. MPA-MSES students must also complete 9 concentration credits (usually 3 courses) from the MPA curriculum, as outlined in Option 2 above).
Whereas MSES-only thesis students must meet the 6-credit Economics/Management/Policy MSES requirement, MPA-MSES thesis students do not have such a requirement due to the economics/management/policy content of their MPA-side core.
Completion of the MSES thesis fulfills the capstone and experiential requirements for the MPA-MSES dual degree. This does not prevent MSES thesis students from taking a capstone course or undertaking an internship if they wish to do so. However, MSES thesis students who choose to take an internship should consult with an academic advisor.
Dual MPA-MSES Concentrations
The Energy and Climate Change Solutions concentration prepares students to contribute to the areas of climate change and energy through integrated use of science, policy, law, and planning. Contexts encompass governmental, private, and NGO sectors across scales. Courses address climate science, climate-change impacts, energy production, human behavior, analysis, development, and implementation of climate law and policy, and possibilities for natural and engineered solutions.
As a reminder, MSES students should prioritize their core courses and appropriate course sequencing. Students may not use MPA or MSES core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (6 credit hours)
The following two courses are required:
SPEA-E 574: Energy Systems
SPEA-R 674: Energy Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
ELECTIVES: (18 credit hours)
Students seek a mixture of science and policy courses related to energy in accordance to professional goals. No double counting with program core courses is permitted. At least two courses must be taken from each group.
Group I – Natural Science Courses (6-12 credit hours)
SPEA-E 505: Renewable and Nuclear Energy *Recommendation: E574
SPEA-E 515: Fundamentals of Air Pollution *Recommendation: E536
SPEA-E 555: Nature-Based Climate Solutions
SPEA-E 591: Climate Change Impacts on Natural Resources *Prerequisite: grad course in Ecology, Enviro Policy, Enviro Management, or waiverof one of these
GEOG-G 532: Physical Climatology
GEOG-G 544: Climate-Change Impacts
EAS-G 576: Climate Change
EAS-G 534: Dynamic Meteorology: Synoptic to Global Scale *Prerequisite: GEOG-G 532 or consent of instructor
EAS-G 537: Synoptic Meteorology & Climatology *Prerequisite: GEOG-G 532 or consent of instructor
EAS-G 540: Physical Meteorology, Climate, and Paleoclimate (same as GEOG-G 532)
EAS-G 556: Wind Power Meteorology (consent of instructor)
Group II – Economics, Public Policy and Law-Related Courses (6-12 credit hours)
SPEA-E 501/X 511: Human Behavior and Energy
SPEA-X 511: Consumption
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
SPEA-R 512: Climate Law and Policy
SPEA-R 521: Domestic Environmental Policy
SPEA-R 532: Water Policy and Economics *Recommendation: V517
SPEA-R 533: Public Natural Resources Law *Recommendation: V540 before or during
SPEA-R 535: International Environmental Policy
SPEA-R 563: Corporate Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World
SPEA-R 564: Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Design and Implementation *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 625: Environmental Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 626: Energy Justice and Policy Seminar *Prerequisite: E574
SPEA-R 643: Natural Resource Management and Policy
SPEA-R 645: Environmental Law
SPEA-S 516: Preparing for Climate Change and Resilient Urban Communities
SPEA-S 596: Sustainable Development *Prerequisite: V517 or equivalent coursework
INTL-I 525: International Climate Governance (requires application ahead of registration)
The Environmental Management concentration integrates the competencies of environmental science with management and policy. The result is two degrees that identify the successful student as mastering the concepts institutions require for their environmental management – science, law, policy, economics and communication – with the state-of-the-art tools that allow for successful implementation. Fulfillment of all MSES and MPA core coursework early in a student’s academic tenure is required. Students may not use MPA or MSES core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (12 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, select four of the following courses.
SPEA-E 515: Fundamentals of Air Pollution *Recommendation: E536
SPEA-E 516: Fisheries Management
SPEA-E 520: Environmental Toxicology (Or SPEA-E 410 Introduction to Environmental Toxicology with permission of Faculty Program Director)
SPEA-E 528: Forest Ecology and Management
SPEA-E 530: Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture
SPEA-E 540: Wetlands Ecology and Management (4 cr.) *Prerequisite: E527 or permission of instructor
SPEA-E 542: Hazardous Materials
SPEA-E 545: Lake and Watershed Management
SPEA-E 550: Soil Science and Management
SPEA-E 562: Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
SPEA-E 563: Wildlife Management *Prerequisite: E527 or E527 waiver, or permission of instructor
ELECTIVES: (12 credit hours)
In consultation with an advisor, choose four of the following, including at least two law/management/policy-focused electives. Required courses from the first part of this concentration may also be used as Science-Focused Electives.
Group I – Science-Focused Electives:
SPEA-E 514: Changing Landscape of Toxic Chemical Regulation
SPEA-E 534: Restoration Ecology *Prerequisite: E527 or E540 or permission of instructor
SPEA-E 550: Soil Science and Management *Recommendation: one semester of college chemistry
SPEA-E 554: Groundwater Flow Modeling
SPEA-E 555: Conservation Planning
SPEA-E 557: Conservation Biology *Prerequisite: E527 or waiver of E527
SPEA-E 564: Organic Pollutants: Environmental Chemistry and Fate *Recommendation: E536 or undergraduate organic chemistry
SPEA-E 574: Energy Systems in Transition
SPEA-E 591: Climate Change Impacts on Natural Resources *Prerequisite: graduate course in ecology, environmental policy, or environmental management, or a waiver of one of these
Group II – Law, Management, and Policy-Focused Electives: (at least two)
SPEA-E 512: Risk Communication
SPEA-R 511: Food Policy in a Changing World
SPEA-R 512: Energy and Climate: Law and Policy
SPEA-R 513: Wildlife Law *Recommendation: V536 before or during
SPEA-R 516: Agriculture Policy for Climate & Environment
SPEA-R 521: Domestic Environmental Policy
SPEA-R 531: Water Law
SPEA-R 532: Water Policy and Economics *Recommendation: V517
SPEA-R 533: Public Natural Resource Law *Recommendation: V536 before or during
SPEA-R 563: Corporate Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World
SPEA-R 564: Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Design and Implementation *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 625: Environmental Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 643: Natural Resource Management and Policy
SPEA-R 645: Environmental Law
SPEA-R 674: Energy Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-S 516: Preparing for Climate Change and Resilient Urban Communities
Group III – Tools Electives:
SPEA-E 518: Vector-based Geographic Information Systems
SPEA-E 529: Application of Geographic Information Systems *Prerequisite: E518, or other introductory GIS course with lab, or equivalent practical experience
SPEA-E 555: Intro to Coding for Environment and Policy (1 cr.)
SPEA-E 555: Python Programming for Environment and Policy (1 cr.)
SPEA-E 555: Using R for Environment and Policy (1 cr.) *Prerequisite: E555 Intro to Coding for Environment and Policy
SPEA-E 560: Environmental Risk Analysis *Prerequisite: E538, V506, or consent of instructor. A firm foundation in math and/or science is useful. Carries capstone credit for MPA-MSES
SPEA-I 516: Public Management Information Systems
SPEA-M 547: Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs
SPEA-M 654: Public Program Management and Contracting
SPEA-P 507: Data Analysis and Modeling in Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
The Environmental Systems Analysis and Modeling Concentration is designed to provide students with the mathematical and empirical tool skills necessary for involving both policy and environmental problems.These problems include topics such as climate change where there are systems involving physical systems (climate models), economic systems (decisions regarding emissions and adoption of emission reduction technologies) and political systems (decisions on the part of government to regulate or provide incentives). Suitable electives for this concentration change frequently and often include topics courses.It is particularly important that consultation with a concentration advisor occurs in putting together a plan, which is suitable for particular substantive areas of interest. Students may not use MPA or MSES core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (6 credit hours)
The following courses are required.
SPEA-E 560: Environmental Risk Analysis *Prerequisite: E538, V506, or consent of instructor. A firm foundation in math and/or science is useful. Carries capstone credit for MPA-MSES)
SPEA-P 507: Data Analysis and Modeling for Public *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
ELECTIVES: (18 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, select a total of six courses, including at least two courses from the Science section and two courses from the Policy and Administration section.
Group I – Science Electives: (at least 6 credit hours)
SPEA-E 515: Fundamentals of Air Pollution *Recommendation: E536
SPEA-E 564: Organic Pollutants: Environmental Chemistry and Fate *Recommendation: E536 or undergraduate organic chemistry
Group II – Policy and Administration Electives:(at least 6 credit hours)
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
SPEA-R 625: Environmental Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 674: Energy Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
Group III – Tools and Methods Electives:
SPEA-E 518: Vector-based Geographic Information Systems
SPEA-E 529: Application of Geographic Information Systems *Prerequisite: E518, or other introductory GIS course with lab, or equivalent practical experience
SPEA-E 555: Intro to Coding for Environment and Policy (1 cr.)
SPEA-E 555: Python Programming for Environment and Policy (1 cr.)
SPEA-E 555: Using R for Environment and Policy (1 cr.) *Prerequisite: E555 Intro to Coding for Environment and Policy)
SPEA-P 539: Management Science for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506)
The Food and Farming Sustainability concentration prepares students to understand the social and ecological complexities of our food system. Students gain in-depth knowledge and problem-solving skills in the emerging field while understanding its growing importance and impact through policy, environmental, and public affairs lenses. The concentration provides preparation for employment in food and/or agriculture at scales from local to global, and across sectors (public, private, NGO) at many levels.
REQUIREMENTS: (12 credit hours)
Core: Natural Sciences – The following two courses are required:
SPEA-E 530: Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture
SPEA-E 550: Soil Science and Management *Recommendation: one semester of college chemistry
Core: Social Science, Policy, and Governance – Choose two of the following three courses:
SPEA-R 511: Food Policy in a Changing World
SPEA-R 516: Agriculture Policy for Climate & Environment
SPEA-R 519: Food Systems and Community Resilience
ELECTIVES: (12 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, select 12 credits from the list below or from required concentration courses not used to satisfy the required credits.
SPEA-E 518: Vector-based Geographic Information Systems
SPEA-E 540: Wetlands Ecology and Management (4 cr.) *Prerequisite: E527 or permission of instructor
SPEA-E 545: Lake and Watershed Management
SPEA-E 560: Environmental Risk Analysis *Prerequisite: E538 or V506, or consent of instructor. A firm foundation in math and/or science is useful. Carries capstone credit for MPA-MSES.
SPEA-E 591: Climate Change Impacts on Natural Resources *Prerequisite: grad course in ecology, envl. policy or envl. management or waiver of one of these
SPEA-N 521: Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector
SPEA-N 557: Proposal Development and Grant Administration
The Water Management concentration addresses water quality, quantity, and access. This concentration allows students to gain a mastery of water science, law, policy, economics, communication, and management. Water Management students will gain relevant tools for success in the dynamic field of water resource management. This concentration is unique in that it allows students to obtain a MPA-MSES concentration specializing in the crucial field of water resource management.
Suitable electives for this concentration change frequently and often include topics courses.It is particularly important that consultation with a concentration advisor occurs in putting together a plan, which is suitable for particular substantive areas of interest. Students may select 2 courses in Water Science and 3 courses in Policy and Administration or students may select 3 courses in Water Science and 2 courses in Policy and Administration. Students may not use MPA or MSES core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (10 credit hours)
The following courses are required:
SPEA-E 556: Limnology (4 cr.) *Recommendation: undergraduate courses: general biology, general chemistry with lab
One of the following:
SPEA-R 531: Water Law or
SPEA-R 532: Water Policy and Economics *Recommendation: V517
One Physical Science class listed below
ELECTIVES: (14-15 credit hours)
Group I – Water Science Electives (6-9 credit hours without overlap with courses used for requirements) Select courses from the following groups.
A student, whose educational and professional goals are not satisfied by O’Neill’s concentrations, may design a Specialized Concentration that best suits his or her needs in consultation with a faculty advisor with final approval required by the relevant faculty program director(s). The student, the student’s advisor, and the appropriate Faculty Program Director must sign a Specialized Concentration Form that specifies the courses that will comprise the customized concentration. This form is available in the Forms section of the Current Student Portal. The completed Specialized Concentration Form must be submitted prior to enrolling in the courses outlined. The concentration must be declared within the first 24 credit hours of the student’s academic program.
Dual MPA-MSES specialized concentrations consist of a minimum of 24 credit hours. Specialized concentrations associated with other dual degrees vary in credit hour requirements. See specific guidelines associated with the respective degree design.
Although no specific guidelines exist for the courses to be included in a Specialized Concentration, students should include a balance of MPA and MSES concentration courses, typically with at least 3 courses from each side. At least two MSES concentration courses must be focused on science content. MSES concentration courses beyond the minimum of two science-focused courses may include tools/methods courses such as E512 Risk Communication, E518 Vector-based GIS, E529 Applications of GIS, E555 Conservation Planning and E555 coding courses. Specialized MPA-MSES concentrations should consist of O’Neill courses unless approved by a faculty advisor(s) and the appropriate Faculty Program Director(s). Students must name their Specialized Concentration. However, these names will not appear on their IU transcript. Instead, after “Major” the words “Specialized Study” will appear.
Students completing the MPA-MSES dual degree must obtain professionally relevant experience through one of three options. See the Policies & Procedures page for more details.
SPEA-E 589
Practicum in Environmental Science
SPEA-V 585
Practicum in Public Affairs
MPA-MSES Requirement V: Capstone (3 credit hours)
MPA-MSES dual degree students should take a course during which they participate in a team to carry out an integrative project that addresses a multi-disciplinary problem. This requirement may be met in one of three ways. See the Policies & Procedures page for more details.
