Admissions: MESM Program

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Bren’s Master of Environmental Science and Management degree is a two-year professional degree program focused on developing solutions to critical environmental problems while preparing students for careers in environmental science and management. This program is full-time and held on-campus.

What you gain from the Bren MESM program goes beyond the knowledge and skills to be an environmental leader. You’ll gain the training and confidence to impress employers and make real change in sustainability, conservation, environmental policy, and much more.

How to Apply

Review our application guide on how to apply to the MESM program, including a required materials checklist, information about fees and fee waivers, and more.

Holistic Admissions Approach

The Bren School proudly stands by a holistic admissions process. Bren's admissions committee looks for well-rounded applicants with excellent academic performance, maturity, work experience, great letters of recommendation, and strong personal statements. Each applicant offers a unique suite of experiences and accomplishments that are fully considered by the admissions committee.

We believe holistic admissions is important to diversity and inclusivity at the Bren School, and to removing barriers to gaining a first-rate graduate education. Please read about Bren's holistic admissions process to understand how we weigh and consider your application materials, as well as how to request an application fee waiver. 

Admissions Eligibility

The Bren School is a graduate school within the Graduate Division of UC Santa Barbara. Applications to the Bren School are completed through the UCSB Online Graduate Application. Please note that you may apply to only one department at UCSB per admissions cycle.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

UC Santa Barbara requires applicants to receive a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited four-year institution prior to starting a graduate program. The undergraduate minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

In rare cases, Bren can petition the UCSB Graduate Division to admit a student who has a GPA that is slightly below 3.0 if the rest of the application is extremely strong and unusual circumstances may have contributed to the lower undergraduate GPA. You can only apply to one graduate program at a time during the admissions cycle.

Review the complete UCSB Graduate Division graduate admissions eligibility requirements.

GRE Exam Scores

Please note the GRE requirement has been waived for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. The Bren School will not be accepting any GRE scores at this time. The requirement will continue to be evaluated on an annual basis moving forward.

Academic Preparation

The MESM program at the Bren School values a diverse student body and we welcome applicants from any undergraduate major. However, the Bren faculty expect applicants to have completed the following minimum prerequisite coursework:

Science – two courses (quarter or semester)
You may meet the science prerequisite requirement through any combination of two courses in chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, or atmospheric science (including lower- and upper-division courses). To get an idea of relevant topics for prior study, review syllabi for MESM core courses, particularly ESM 201 Ecology of Managed Ecosystems, ESM 202 Environmental Biogeochemistry, and ESM 203 Earth System Science.

Math – two courses (quarter or semester) 
The Bren School emphasizes quantitative and analytical approaches to environmental problem solving, so it is essential for you to have an adequate mathematical foundation. You may meet the math prerequisite by taking at least two math courses including calculus, statistics and probability, econometrics, or linear algebra, among others.

Social Science – one course (quarter or semester)
Solving environmental problems requires understanding not only science-based solutions, but also the social, political and economic context to determine feasibility. You may meet the social science prerequisite by taking at least one course in economics, anthropology, sociology, environmental studies, psychology, or political science, among others.  
 
Important things to consider:

• Only courses earned with a grade of C or higher will be counted toward meeting MESM prerequisite requirements.
• Prerequisite courses may be met through any accredited two- or four-year college or university (including community colleges). Courses completed through online education platforms (such as Coursera) are not accepted.
• If you wish to use Advanced Placement (AP) credit to count toward meeting the MESM prerequisites, please include course summaries in the Prerequisite Verification Form when you submit your application.

Applying Without Full Academic Preparation
If you are lacking preparation in a prerequisite area, we still encourage you to apply. You must include a memo in your application outlining how you plan to rectify the deficiency before enrolling, if admitted. Presenting a good plan will strengthen your application. While you are not required to have finished all of the prerequisite coursework for admission, you must have it all completed before enrolling in Bren School courses.

Holistic Admissions Approach
Please read about Bren's holistic admissions process to understand how we weigh and consider your application materials, as well as how to request an application fee waiver.