Environmental Science and Management - MES

Bren’s Master of Environmental Science and Management (MESM) degree is a two-year professional program focused on preparing students for careers in environmental science and management through developing solutions to critical environmental problems. Students learn the fundamentals of environmental science and management in their core courses and later deepen their knowledge by choosing a specialization. MESM students also complete a master’s project, either a group project or an eco-entrepreneurship (Eco-E) project. During the group project, students solve environmental problems for a real-world client, developing technical, leadership, and professional skills that advance their career potential. During the Eco-E project, students design a business model for a new, commercially viable product or service that will have a positive and measurable environmental impact. The MESM program prepares students to work in government agencies, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and consulting firms. Bren MESM graduates demonstrate clear and critical thinking, leadership skills, professionalism, and creativity that allow them to be leaders in solving the environmental problems of the 21st century.

• Private sector (corporate or consulting)

• Government

• Nonprofit organizations

• Corporate Sustainability

• Energy and Climate

• Climate and Environmental Justice

• Government (US EPA, NOAA, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, BLM, CalEPA, City and County of Santa Barbara)

• Corporate/Consulting (Patagonia, Amazon, Disney, 3Degrees, AECOM, WSP, Rincon Consultants, Dudek, Deloitte, ERM, ICF)

• Nonproft (Better World Group, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, EDF, WWF, Center for Sustainable Energy)

• In 2002, our on-campus home Bren Hall was the first laboratory building to be certified at the LEED Platinum level by the US Green Building Council. Bren has since been recertified three times in 2009, 2017, and 2024.

• Our exceptional career team offers customized 1-to-1 career guidance, professional workshops, and boot camps. The career team also connects students with internship and career opportunities and our active alumni network of over 1400+ Bren graduates.

• 83% of survey respondents from the MESM class of 2022 were employed 6 months after graduation and 86% said they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their initial job placement.

• Our students participate in year-long small-group projects to solve environmental problems for clients representing major nonprofits, government agencies, and corporations.

• Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Marine Science, Geology

• Economics

• Political Science, Governance, Politics and Policy

• Environmental Engineering

• Environmental Studies, Geography

• Business and Sustainability

• Coastal Resources Management

• Conservation Planning

• Energy and Climate

• Environmental Policy

• Pollution Prevention and Remediation

• Water Resources Management

https://bren.ucsb.edu/masters-programs/master-environmental-science-and-management

https://bren.ucsb.edu/masters-programs/master-environmental-science-and-management/admissions-mesm

https://bren.ucsb.edu/masters-programs/master-environmental-science-and-management/academics-mesm