Master's Programs at Bren
Students come to Bren because they have a calling to solve environmental problems. Our master's programs prepare you for a meaningful career as an environmental leader.
Professional Master's Degrees at Bren
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Master of Environmental Data Science
Bren's 11-month Master of Environmental Data Science program teaches you to use data science to advance solutions to environmental problems. You'll be immersed in a collaborative, open-source, data-driven environment where you'll gain skills in R, Python, SQL, data visualization, and communicating scientific narratives.
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Master of Environmental Science and Management
Our two-year professional Master of Environmental Science and Management degree provides you with broad but critical multidisciplinary skills in environmental science, law, policy, and management. You'll graduate with real world experience solving environmental problems.
Which Bren School master's program is right for me?
If you have the drive to solve environmental problems and are considering one or more Bren School environmental graduate programs, we'll help you clarify the format, focus, requirements, and outcomes for each. Contact admissions anytime at admissions@bren.ucsb.edu if you have questions, and request more information today.
At-a-glance
Master of Environmental Data Science
- 1 year (~11 months), full-time, on-campus
- 52 units
- Holistic admissions review, online application
- Background in environmental science required
- Background in programming not required
- Data and tools-focused, such as R, Python, SQL, and data visualization
- Depth of learning in data science
- Group capstone project
- Faculty advisor for capstone project
- Full range of Bren Career Services support, including advising, workshops, lectures, and BrenConnect
- Career outcomes in business, public agency, and non-profit industries
Master of Environmental Science and Management
- 2 years, full-time, on-campus
- 76 units
- Holistic admissions review, online application
- Background in environmental science not required
- Management + natural science focused, such as business law, policy, ecology, earth science, and more
- Breadth of learning in variety of topics, well-rounded
- One or more specializations required
- Master's group project or Eco-Entrepreneurship project
- Faculty advisors for both group project and chosen specialization(s)
- Optional focus areas available in Communications & Media and Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Summer internships between years 1 and 2
- Full range of Bren Career Services support, including advising, internship support, workshops, lectures, and BrenConnect
- Career outcomes in business, public agency, and non-profit industries, as well as entrepreneurship
How does this compare to the Bren PhD program?
At-a-glance
PhD in Environmental Science and Management
- 5 years, full-time, on-campus instruction and labs (apart from field work)
- Holistic admissions review, online application
- Background in environmental science required; academic preparation requirements vary by faculty mentor and track
- Research-focused
- Depth of learning in dissertation topic
- Faculty PhD advisor and committee
- Annual PhD symposium and final PhD defense
- Optional PhD emphases available in Economics & Environmental Science, Environment & Society, Technology & Society, and Management Practice
- Career advising, CV workshops, BrenConnect, and the UCSB Graduate Resource Center
- Career outcomes: 2/3 of graduates: research/academia; 1/3 of graduates: occupations in business, public agency/government, and non-profit industries
Our World Needs You
Solve environmental problems and become a leader for our sustainable future. The Bren School at UC Santa Barbara offers professional master’s degrees in Environmental Data Science and in Environmental Science and Management that build your career in environmental solutions from day one – such as informing policy with data science, forward-thinking corporate sustainability, effective conservation for public agencies, and program strategy for nonprofit organizations. You will face environmental problems head on and complete real projects that propel your career.
