Overview

Position/Opening: Environmental Conservation Professional MS Program
Location: Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA 
Application Deadline: Dec 1, 2015
Start Date: May 31, 2016
 
Description: 
Training conservation leaders in practical interdisciplinary skills to tackle complex decisions in a changing world.
 
The Nelson Institute professional master’s program in environmental conservation is a 15-month, 32-credit blended learning curriculum designed to train conservation leaders in practical interdisciplinary skills.
Built on the legacy of pioneering environmental leaders such as John Muir, Aldo Leopold and Gaylord Nelson, the program helps early-career working professionals advance their leadership, conservation and environmental management expertise through campus learning and remote experiences.
 
With curricula in conservation planning, land use policy, and in professional tools such as applied GIS, conservation fundraising, strategic communications and facilitation, students are better prepared to tackle complex challenges in a changing world. Students also engage directly with a range of conservation organizations and practitioners, helping to solve some of the most urgent challenges in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.
 
Qualifications:
 
Ideal candidates for our program will have approximately two to five years of professional work experience, preferably in the conservation sector, though candidates with diverse professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 may be considered under special circumstances. No additional prerequisite classes are required. For applicants who have a GPA below 3.0 the GRE is required. For those who have GPAs at 3.0 or above GRE scores are not required for admissions to our program. Admissions decisions will be based on the entirety of each applicant’s credentials. Visit our website for application requirements.
Funding/Costs: 
Estimated costs are for tuition and fees only, based on current Wisconsin, Minnesota, and non-resident tuition rates. Housing, living expenses and travel are not included in our cost estimates. For the full 15-month, 32-credit program tuition and fees are:
In-state tuition = $19,121
Out of state and foreign tuition = $40,777
Minnesota tuition = $25,575
Our 15-month Masters program offers students a remarkable graduate education and professional training at a cost-value less than traditional 2-year residential graduate programs. Because of the immersive nature of our program, with condensed time on campus and remote experiences, Environmental Conservation students are only eligible for campus appointments that total 30% time or less, or hourly work. We encourage all students to apply for our Environmental Conservation program scholarship (see below), and to seek additional sources of grants, scholarships or loans. Please contact the Environmental Conservation Program office at (608) 890-2600with any questions you have about Environmental Conservation program costs.
The Environmental Conservation program scholarship offers partial funding to exceptional applicants to help offset tuition costs. Please fill out and submit the online application by December 1 to be considered for our program scholarship!