MEM Curriculum Details

MEM Degree Requirements

Theme	Course Type	# of Courses	Credits
Exposure	Perspectives	1 Course for all first-year MEMs	3
Interdisciplinary Conversancy	Foundational Knowledge	4 Half-semester courses	0-6 (Waiver options)
Specialization: Depth	Core	2 Courses	6
	Specialization Electives	4 Courses	≈12
Breadth	General Electives	6 Courses	18 (Minimum)
Integration & Application	Capstone or Independent Project	1 Course	3
Experience & Career Exploration	Internship or Research Project	10-12 Summer Weeks	Required
Professional Skills	Modules	4 of 8	Required
Total:			48 (Minimum)

Exposure

Requirement: the Fall “Perspectives” course for all first-year MEMs.

This course promotes a common experience, providing exposure to the variety of perspectives represented by YSE faculty and others on the challenges and opportunities of environmental management. It also creates a forum for open discussion about the different perspectives on complex environmental issues and fosters a shared understanding of the critical nature of interdisciplinary approaches.

Interdisciplinary Conversancy

Requirement: four, half-semester courses, focused on interdisciplinary foundational knowledge.

Students are introduced to a common foundation of concepts, principles, and tools required of all professional environmental managers, providing a level of understanding necessary to succeed in the initial MEM courses and to be conversant in foundational topics relevant to environmental management more broadly. The four, half-semester courses (1.5 credits each), which students take in their first semester are:

• Human Science Foundations for Environmental Managers
• Physical Science Foundations for Environmental Managers
• Ecological Foundations for Environmental Managers
• Microeconomic Foundations for Environmental Managers

For incoming students with substantial academic or professional experience in any of the four areas, waiver exams will be made available each spring and summer preceding enrollment at YSE. More information about Foundational Knowledge can be found here.

Specialization Depth

Requirement: students must choose at least one specialization before the end of their first year.

All MEM students must choose at least one specialization and satisfy its requirements. All specializations consist of two core courses and four electives. Student may choose one or two specializations, but one must be declared before the end of their first year of study. The specific requirements for each specialization are outlined at the links above.

Breadth

Requirement: a minimum of 18 credits in general electives courses.

Students are offered tremendous flexibility in their electives, enabling them to explore courses on relevant or aligned topics across YSE and Yale more broadly. There is also the option to complete a second specialization.

Integration and Application

Requirement: one capstone course or independent project during the second year of study.

A designated capstone course or independent project with a faculty advisor provides a culminating opportunity to focus on applied problem solving. It relies on the application of knowledge, methodological approaches, and interpretive techniques gained throughout the earlier stages of the MEM. This opportunity allows for the integration of different experiences into a single representation of a student’s work.

Experience and Career Exploration

Requirement: between ten and twelve weeks of summer internship or research.

During the summer between the first and second academic years, students must complete an internship or research project that gives them a chance to apply knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom, gain professional experience, build networks, and investigate potential career paths. Students design their own summer internships or research experience, closely aligned with individual academic and career goals in collaboration with the Office of Career and Professional Development.

Professional Skills

Requirement: complete at least four of the eight (short, non-credit) modules offered over two years of study.

The professional skills requirement is designed to strengthen student competency in core areas considered essential to all professionals: verbal communications; visual communications; negotiation; cultural competence; fundraising; project management; stakeholder engagement; and meeting facilitation. Students are able to choose among different alternatives depending on interest and prior experience. Although completion of at least four is required, students are encouraged to take as many as they like. (MEM-5 students need to complete two PSMs, and MEM students in a joint degree program need to complete three PSMs.) Further details are available on the Professional Skills Modules page.