The strength of the social sciences at SNRE really makes it stand out against its competition. For me, these opportunities have included a masters project on an innovative federal land management policy, a course on ecosystem services, and researching current environmental legislation. These courses and projects ensure that the program serves the students well in post-graduate endeavors where they can truly make an impact.
Dual Degree: Public Policy
Two main characteristics of SNRE motivated my decision to choose the University of Michigan: the opportunity to work with a diverse group of colleagues and real-world clients on a masters project, and the caliber of the faculty I would be learning from. The flexibility of the curriculum at SNRE allows for me to take classes over a range of topics, each with professors who are considered leaders in their field.
As the only school in the nation with a program that combined my background of Psychology and Environmental Studies, the Behavior, Education and Communication track at SNRE was the only grad program that I applied to, My undergrad research was based on the work of the Kaplans, so finding Rachel Kaplan as member of the BEC faculty sealed the deal.
I decided to attend SNRE because of my faculty advisers. My research is in Latin America and both faculty members have renowned research in the area. Moreover, the University of Michigan offers an array of resources and opportunities to conduct research abroad. My own research in Ecuador and my studies of the Quechua language of Peru have been sponsored by UM and SNRE. The masters program truly fosters cross-disciplinary studies and collaboration.
I chose SNRE becuase of the program's broad strength in the policy and planning field and becuase I could combine SNRE's curriculum with resources from the univeristy's top-tier law, business, and policy schools. Michigan is far from mountains, which tend to distract me; location was also a factor.
I chose Michigan primarily for the Environmental Justice program and the ability I would have to study climate justice and adaptation locally and internationally, especially as it relates to development. I also liked the integration of social and ecological systems thinking and the ability to take courses across departments and FOS.
I chose Michigan and SNRE due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program. I wanted a program that really incorporated engineering, social science, environmental science, and environmental psychology into one program as well as the flexibility to take classes or even gain a joint-degree with another school on campus. That and the Master's Project offered me the opportunity to work with a real client on a project that has real world application to sustainability.
Dual Degree: MBA
