Master of Science in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM)

Program level: 
Degree awarded: 
MS
Country of accreditation: 
United States
Austria
Program accreditation/registration: 
Program approved and registered by the New York State Education Department
Program accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ-Austria)
Standard Program duration: 
2 years
Type of degree: 
Joint/multiple (Erasmus Mundus)
US degree credits: 
60
Austrian degree ECTS credits: 
120
Start of the program : 
September

Program Description

MESPOM program is an Erasmus Mundus Masters course in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management operated by four leading European and two North American Universities. MESPOM prepares students for identifying and implementing solutions to complex environmental challenges, especially in an international context.

The MESPOM study programme is in English and lasts two years. The students study in at least three out of four consortium universities: the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University (Sweden), the University of Manchester (UK), Central European University (Vienna), and the University of the Aegean (Lesvos, Greece). The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS) (USA) Middlebury College and the University of  Saskatchewan (UoS) (Canada) are also still partners till 2023.

MESPOM Program Structure

The two-year program is delivered in English and includes three terms of taught courses followed by a fourth research semester. The first two semesters, taught at CEU, comprise mandatory and elective courses focused on scientific and technological as well as legal, economic, and political aspects of key environmental challenges and the society–environment interaction. During the third semester students choose between specialized tracks in either preventive environmental strategies in the public and private sector (at Lund University) or environmental sciences and pollution control (at the University of Manchester). Both tracks emphasize hands-on research and practical experience in industries and laboratories. During the fourth semester, students conduct their individual research projects and write Master's theses at any of the four Consortium partners. This is normally combined with internships at inter-governmental organizations, government, industry or NGOs in Europe or students' home countries.