Our Graduates

This MA in Environmental Policy Design is not a job training program. Our aim is to create critical minds that can see environmental policy in unconventional ways and provide non-traditional solutions to stubborn problems. This said, our graduates are doing uniformly very well in the job market.
 
The pattern is for our alumni to take one of three paths. First, a number continue their studies in Ph.D. programs. We have graduates currently applying or attending Rutgers, Duke, University of Colorado, Princeton and the University of Georgia in programs as diverse as Public Health, Environmental Studies, International Politics and Technology Policy. Second, some go to work at non-profits. We have students working for local non-profits in Easton and Bethlehem, state non-profits in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and even national non-profits. The third track is government. We have alumni doing land planning in New Jersey, business regulation in New York, and Environmental Assessment for the State of Florida. Our graduates tell us that, when they interview, their interdisciplinary expertise and their ability to assess environmental policy from a number of perspectives is frequently commented upon as unique among their cohort. We are producing not only unique graduates but graduates who have a real chance to make changes in the way humanity relates and regulates its behavior toward the natural world. Here is a short sampling of their feedback:
 
…the Environmental Policy Design program has been useful in my life, as it taught me the principles of planning, systems thinking, and of course research. I have applied much of what I learned, especially the knowledge of environmental law from [Gillroy’s] classes, and the local/community level policy knowledge that Breena provided.  
[Jennifer G.]
 
…the EPD Program was a great way to continue my studies in both Political Science and Earth & Environmental Sciences. It allowed me to focus on my favorite parts of the two Environmental disciplines. Thus far, I have received a lot of favorable reactions to my Master's Degree.  It is uniquely interdisciplinary, giving my resume a truly standout quality.
[Deanna G.]
 
EPD is a phenomenal program, that transcends the run of the mill environmental program.  It is designed to encourage students to think critically about philosophy, sociology and social policy; most importantly students learn to deconstruct status quo market driven ideology and effectively argue against it.          
[Japera J.]
 
The EPD program is critical for Lehigh to be a contributor of citizens empowered to solve the world's environmental problems of today and tomorrow. The EPD program gave me the flexibility to find my passion among an array of environmental issues, as well as the knowledge to suggest both normative and practical solutions to solve them.
[Christina B.]