Environmental Resource Policy Program

The Environmental Resource Policy (ENRP) Program at GW offers a multidisciplinary approach to environmental and sustainability studies.  The Master of Arts program prepares students to enter environmental policy careers in government, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and environmental advocacy groups.  If you’re interested in environmental policy, there are five reasons why you might want to take a closer look at GW’s ENRP Program.

  • ENRP is based in Washington, D.C., near Executive Agencies, Congress & the Supreme Court, the World Bank, numerous think tanks, advocacy groups across the ideological spectrum, and non-profit service organizations focused on a wide array of issues & clients.  Attend lectures, policy events, Congressional hearings, or Supreme Court cases on a host of environmental topics.  Explore alternative environmental careers through internships and build a professional network to support your career growth.
  •  ENRP is built on a multidisciplinary curriculum that includes environmental economics, environmental law, public policy, research methods, and a two-semester environmental science course.  Faculty scholars with deep expertise will help you understand complex environmental policy issues and identify connections between specific issues and the relevant natural sciences. Learn to build policy on science-based evidence, an appreciation of economic incentives, and a clear-eyed understanding of environmental law and politics.
  • ENRP blends theory and practical experience with a professional, client-oriented, capstone project, academic credit for relevant internships and research, and a wide range of DC-based internship opportunities.  Practice applying classroom concepts to real-world environmental policy issues and gain professional experience working in a group on an important environmental policy topic. Join a collegial community of classmates and faculty.
  • ENRP lets you customize your curriculum around a set of eight required courses, with four electives in virtually any GW Department, as well as at Consortium Schools like American University, George Mason University, and Georgetown University.  Elective courses let you go “deep” in one area, like urban sustainability or biodiversity, or go “broad” by covering multiple diverse environmental topics.  Take advantage of GW resources like SustainableGW, PlanetForward.org, and the Urban Food Task Force.
  •  ENRP meets students' practical needs with the option to attend full-time or part-time, and evening classes that accommodate working students.  The incoming class size is small – between 12 and 20 – to facilitate close ties between faculty and students and create a sense of community among students. The admissions cycle is flexible. Well-qualified applicants are considered at any time, although priority is given to applications received by April 1.  Merit based financial aid is also available.

How students and alumni describe the ENRP program:

"It offers access to government agency officials and policy engines." –ENRP Graduate, ‘11

"DC is the heart of policy."  –ENRP Graduate, ‘04

"One of the strengths of the ENRP program is the melding of both the science and policy behind environmental topics."  –ENRP Graduate, ‘09

"The Capstone course adds a real-life experience in terms of problem solving, group dynamics, client interaction, interview, report writing — all of which are very useful skills in any field."  – ENRP Graduate, ‘11

"I liked how I was able to choose a geography course and a public policy course, and both were able to count towards my degree."  –ENRP Student

"A strength of the ENRP program is that it lets students complete the degree part-time."  –ENRP Graduate, ‘12

 "The program offers night classes for students who work full time."  –ENRP Student