Admissions & Cost
Applications for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle are now closed.
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Who Should Apply
Our online program is ideal for individuals who are passionate about using data science to address environmental challenges, particularly those from the Global South. It is well-suited for:
- Professionals in environmental science, sustainability, or related fields
- Recent graduates looking to enhance their data science skills
- Professionals seeking to pivot into the environmental data science sector
- Anyone committed to making a positive impact on global environmental issues through data-driven solutions
Whether you're just starting your career or looking to specialize, our program provides the tools and knowledge needed to make a meaningful difference.
Tuition & Payments
The tuition for the 2026/2027 academic year is $6,300.
There is no application fee.
Tuition payment is due: August 22, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT
September 8, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT
Last day to withdraw from the program and receive a full refund.
September 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT
Last day to withdraw from the program and receive a partial refund.
Tuition Discounts
Financial support is available and awarded on a competitive basis. The Environmental Data Science online certificate program offers two types of tuition discounts:
- Three Cairns Fellowship (full or near-full tuition support)
- Partial tuition discounts
Three Cairns Fellowship
The Three Cairns Fellowship provides a limited number of full scholarships and aims to expand access to YSE online certificate programs for individuals working on climate solutions in the Global South. Individuals admitted to this competitive program receive full or nearly full tuition support for their participation. Eligible candidates must:
- Possess primary citizenship from a country in the Global South
- Have professional and/or academic experience relevant to climate solutions
- Are actively working on climate solution implementation in your home country and/or region.
Recipients of the Three Cairns Fellowship are responsible for a $100 enrollment fee.
Application Process for Tuition Discounts
Applications for all tuition discounts are included in the general application for the Environmental Data Science online certificate program. If you are selected for a tuition discount, you will receive an award letter with your admissions decision.
Application Process
Applications will be reviewed after the admissions window closes on July 15th, 2026. Decision letters regarding admission and scholarships will be emailed by July 24th 2026. All application materials must be submitted by July 15th, 2026 to be considered for admission.
Application Materials
- Completed online application form
- Resume or CV - Maximum three pages
Technical Requirements
Learners must have a high proficiency in English in order to learn from the written and recorded presentations, complete written assignments and engage in thoughtful discussion with peers and instructors during live sessions. You will be asked to rate your English skills in the online application. Test scores are not required, but you will have the opportunity to share any test scores during the application process.
Participation in this online program will require consistent access to:
- A computer, laptop, or tablet capable of playing audio and video
- Internet connection (recommended speed at least 600 kbps)
- A web camera and microphone to participate in online meetings
- Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel (or equivalent programs)
- Personal Google and GitHub accounts, which are required to participate in the certificate program
Equipment and software are the responsibility of the participant and will not be provided by Yale University.
Participant data will be governed by Google’s and GitHub’s respective Terms of Service and Privacy Policies, rather than those of Yale University.
Participant Spotlights
Applying City-Level Data for Sustainable Urban Planning
For Stacy Mwangi, some of the most interesting environmental challenges play out at the scale of individual cities. As a GIS analyst working on urban mobility for UN-Habitat, the United Nations Agency tasked with promoting sustainable urban development, she sees firsthand how urban planning intersects with growing climate risks.
“I often find myself thinking beyond technical tasks,” she said. “I’m interested in how data can be used to better understand complex urban and environmental challenges, particularly in rapidly growing cities where resources are limited.”
Demystifying Data for Forest Communities
As a program associate at Sustainable Northwest, an Oregon-based nonprofit, Jeremy Kwok Choon assists with research, policy, and stakeholder engagement on issues from regenerative ranching to clean energy.
His work, he said, taught him that the best model is not the most complex — it is most clear, reproducible, and accessible. That desire to “demystify data” led him to enroll in the certificate program in Environmental Data Science where he sharpened his technical skills and learned valuable lessons alongside a global cohort.
Yale University’s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives.
Additionally, in accordance with this Policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions; race; color; national or ethnic origin; religion; age; disability; protected veteran status, or other protected classes as set forth in federal and Connecticut law.