Certificate in Environmental Management Requirements
If you are completing the certificate program (no longer accepting applications), you may download the requirements sheet and search for courses that meet the requirements.
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Degree Requirements
To earn the master’s degree, meet the following requirements.
Fulfill the requirements for your chosen track.
- Thesis track—9 courses and a thesis (40 credits):
- 3 core courses (ENVR E-101, E-102, E-120)
- An ecology course
- 4 electives, either in a general field or an optional concentration
- The proseminar (taken after completion of all other coursework and the statistics requirement)
- A master’s thesis
- Capstone track—11 courses and a capstone course (48 credits):
- 3 core courses (ENVR E-101, E-102, E-120)
- An ecology course
- A sustainability course (ENVR E-105)
- 6 electives, either in a general field or an optional concentration
- A capstone course (taken after completion of all other coursework and the statistics requirement)
See how to choose a track. And find courses using the degree course search.
Fulfill the statistics requirement.
Demonstrate your analytical skills by completing STAT E-50 or E-102 or the equivalent Harvard Summer School course for undergraduate or graduate credit with a grade of B– or higher or by passing the waiver exam. The course does not count toward the degree. The waiver exam is only for students with prior coursework in statistics. If you do not pass, you must enroll in a statistics course. To set up an appointment to take the exam, contact Stephen Blinn at em@dcemail.harvard.edu. The statistics requirement must be met before you register for the proseminar or capstone or you will be dropped from the course, thereby delaying graduation.
Take at least 1 on-campus-only course.
See the guidelines for choosing online course options.
Take all courses for graduate credit.
Courses must be taken at Harvard Extension School, Summer School, or the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. See Academic Standing and Enrollment.
Earn a B− or higher in each course and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Note that a B or higher grade is required in the 3 courses required for admission.
Complete 6 of the total courses with Harvard-affiliated instructors.
The master’s thesis counts as 1 course with a Harvard-affiliated instructor. Use the degree course search to find these courses.
Complete all requirements within 5 years of the date of admission.
If your application is delayed, the 5-year timeframe begins on the date of completion of the third preadmission course. If you are unable to complete the degree within 5 years, you are retired from the program.
Selecting courses
To see how current course offerings fulfill requirements, use the degree course search.
Optional concentrations
You may concentrate in a particular area of environmental management by taking 4 courses from 1 of 2 concentrations: ecological management or sustainable development. You should declare your concentration on the online graduation confirmation form (see Graduation). You are not required to choose a concentration, and only 1 concentration may be chosen.