environmental economics phd usa

University of California, Santa Barbara

PhD Emphasis in Economics and Environmental Science

EES Emphasis Director : Christopher Costello

Environmental and resource economics is the study of the connections between economics and the environment.

At the core of environmental economics is the recognition that markets often do not provide the right amount of environmental protection, and that some intervention by government, typically through regulation, tax policy, or the establishment of property rights, is frequently needed to strike the right balance between conflicting societal needs.

UCSB PhD students in the Bren School or the Economics Department may choose to supplement their PhD program by establishing an emphasis in Economics and Environmental Science (EES). Students who pursue this option acquire a deep and expert knowledge of economics, as well as an understanding and appreciation of the research questions and methods of a natural science that complements their economics research. The EES program typically starts in the second year of the PhD program, following successful completion of a first-year core sequence in microeconomics and econometrics.

Career Preparation

In an age when economic activity stresses the environment and utilizes fisheries, forests, minerals, energy sources, and other environmental resources, it is increasingly important to use economic tools in developing environmental approaches and policies. Armed with these tools, environmental economists are able to conceptualize economic problems related to environmental issues, then apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative techniques to design and implement appropriate research methods.

This dual emphasis uniquely prepares students for a wide variety of careers, including faculty positions in disciplinary departments (e.g. economics or agricultural economics) and multidisciplinary departments (environmental studies programs and graduate schools of the environment), and for non-academic careers in government, industry, and consulting.

Academic Preparation

Prospective UCSB students who are considering the EES emphasis should have interest in economics and the problems of environmental protection and natural-resource use. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the emphasis, a variety of student backgrounds are entirely appropriate for EES. A master's degree is not necessary, though having one is a plus.

Although students need not have majored or minored in economics prior to entering the program, they should have been successful in their economics coursework, have an understanding of basic principles, and demonstrate a strong interest in the field. Students having little formal training in economics should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the nature of an economics graduate program and a career in economics.

It is desirable that participants have some training in natural science at the university level. Students should have taken one or more of the introductory sequences in biology, chemistry, and physics offered for science majors at most universities. Students having relatively little preparation in natural science are advised to remedy this deficiency during the year and the summer immediately preceding their enrollment in the EES emphasis at UCSB. This can be achieved, for instance, by enrolling in university physics and/or chemistry during the fall when applying to graduate school and then continuing the sequence through the remainder of the academic year.

It is important that all prospective students be well prepared in mathematics and have comfort and facility with quantitative methods and problems. Most successful EES students have done well in a rigorous course sequence in single and multivariate calculus. It is helpful to have taken such additional coursework as linear algebra, differential equations, real analysis, or mathematical statistics.

How to Enroll in the EES Emphasis

• When admitted as a PhD student, please indicate that you are interested in enrolling in the emphasis. Student application materials will then be sent to the EES Emphasis Director for evaluation prior to enrolling in any courses.
• Complete the ECON Math Bootcamp the summer prior to the Fall Quarter start of the PhD program.
• Entire first-year Economics PhD sequence - ECON 210 A, B, C; ECON 241 A, B, C; Optional: ECON 204 A, B, C.
• PhD-pass on the preliminary examination in Microeconomics and Econometrics.
• Complete and submit the Change of Degree Status Petition  (add EES emphasis). 

Only currently enrolled UCSB PhD students in the Department of Economics or the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management may add the Economics and Environmental Science emphasis. Student preparation must be evaluated by the EES Emphasis Director  prior  to enrolling in the EES program.

The emphasis begins during Year 2. However, preparing for the EES emphasis begins in Year 1.

Academic Requirements

PhD students must satisfy all requirements in their home departments in addition to the emphasis requirements. Work completed in satisfaction of departmental PhD requirements may also be used to satisfy emphasis requirements. Students must complete and submit the  EES Emphasis Verification Form   after completing the requirements to formally add the emphasis to their degree . 

• Environmental and natural resource economics coursework .  16 units, including 8 units from the core courses in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (ECON 260 D, E, F, G, H, I, J), is required.
• Establish proficiency in a second field of economics . Establish proficiency in a second field of economics (in addition to environmental and natural resource economics) as defined by the Department of Economics , or alternatively, design a custom field that is approved by the EES Emphasis Director with the following components: The existence of a significant body of economic literature, sufficient breadth to be recognized as a field for teaching or research, and availability of Ph.D.-level coursework in support of the field.
• Seminar in economics and environmental science . Students must complete four quarters of Special Topics in Economics - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (ECON 290).
• Field seminar . Students must enroll in one quarter of Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research at the Bren School (ESM 514).
• Natural science focus. Prior to being admitted to the emphasis, students work with their advisory committee to define an area of natural science to establish competency, such as applied ecology, climate, hydrology, or marine science. The focus will involve four to six courses of lectures, seminars, lab, research, and more. Students must select a UCSB faculty member to serve as their Natural Science Faculty Advisor. The faculty advisor may or may not be on their PhD committee, but the proposed natural science focus must be approved by their PhD committee. 
• Dissertation.  Although the expectation is that a student's dissertation be a contribution to economics, the specific subject of the dissertation is a matter between the student and their PhD committee. 

Program Timeline

The EES program typically starts in the second year of the PhD program, following successful completion of a first-year core sequence in microeconomics and econometrics. In the second year, students take coursework in environmental and natural resource economics and a second field of economics of their choosing. Students also begin to acquire an understanding of an area of environmental science. This culminates in a research experience, working in the laboratory of one of the EES natural-science faculty members. A student's dissertation is typically in an area of environmental economics.

Schedule Preview: PhD with EES Emphasis

• Entire first-year Economics PhD sequence - ECON 210 A, B, C; ECON 241 A, B, C; Optional: ECON 241 A, B, C.
• A course or directed reading with an EES natural-science faculty member.
• One or more electives (natural science, macro, or other).
• During the summer after Year 1: An optional natural-science research experience or policy internship.
• Complete and submit the Change of Degree Status Petition (add EES emphasis). 
• Identify an advisor and apply for admission into the emphasis.
• 16 units, including 8 units from the core courses in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (ECON 260 D, E, F, G, H, I, J).
• An additional field in economics (2-3 courses).
• Coursework and directed reading in chosen area of natural science.
• Problem-based cross-disciplinary seminar ( ESM 514 ).
• Environmental Economics seminar (ECON 290) - four quarters.
• Fall Quarter: students must submit PhD Committee petition to department.
• Spring Quarter: students must take written exams (Bren students only).
• During the summer after Year 2: An optional natural-science research experience or policy internship.
• Environmental Economics Seminar (ECON 290).
• Dissertation proposal and defense.
• Fall Quarter: students must take oral exams (Bren students only).

Years 4 & 5

• Dissertation research.
• Environmental Economics Seminar (ECON 290)
• Upon completion, certify your progress with the EES Emphasis Director.
• Complete and submit the EES Emphasis Verification Form . 

Are you ready to solve environmental problems?

Request more information, get to know the Bren School, or start your online application.

Energy and Environmental Economics I (PhD Level)

This course will emphasize the economics of natural resource production and problems associated with externalities and common property, with a focus on the energy sector. Most lectures will be theoretical in nature, but we will spend considerable time studying applications that have an empirical component. The course has several complementary objectives: (1) provide a solid foundation in concepts like Hotelling’s Rule and Pigouvian taxation that are a prerequisite for understanding modern environmental and resource economics; (2) develop proficiency with theoretical, computational, and empirical tools that will be valuable for future self-directed research; and (3) gain experience in reading, presenting, and discussing modern research in energy and environmental economics.  

This class is for Harris PhD and MACRM students or by instructor consent. Must have completed a PhD level Microeconomics course to enroll. 

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Enre ph.d. opportunities.

• Microeconomic Theory I (ECON 500a)
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• Environment and Development: An Economic Approach (F&ES 811b)
• Our Ph.D. Environmental Economics Course Sequence (expected of all students): Ph.D. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (F&ES 904a) and Ph.D. Environmental & Energy Economics (F&ES 905b)
• Economic Field Courses: Advanced Microeconomic Theory, Applied Econometrics, Development, Econometrics III – V, Industrial Organization, International Trade, Labor, Macroeconomic Theory, Public Finance (for a course listing with numbers and descriptions, see the link below) 
• Research specific coursework: Applied Spatial Statistics (F&ES 781b), Climate and Air Pollution Seminar (F&ES 705b), Environmental Hydrology (F&ES 714b), Modeling Geographic Space (F&ES 755b), Optimization (ENAS 525), Remote Sensing of Land Cover and Land Use Change (F&ES 725a), Remote Sensing of the Earth from Space (F&ES 726b)
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University Program in Environmental Policy (UPEP)

Identifying policy solutions to environmental challenges requires a command of social sciences, alongside topical knowledge and understanding of relevant policy processes. Duke's University Program in Environmental Policy (UPEP) PhD is a 5-year program for intense research training, combining disciplinary specialization − in economics or political science − with an emphasis on understanding policy settings and the precise nature of the problem we hope to solve with policy. That requires integrating multiple perspectives to frame useful applications of disciplinary rigor.

Our students and faculty conduct world-class research, in domestic and international contexts, on a wide array of topics in environmental economics, policy, and politics. Graduate placements have included academic positions in disciplinary departments, interdisciplinary units, and professional schools and professional positions in domestic and international public agencies, environmental organizations, research institutes, and consulting firms.

The UPEP PhD program is jointly administered by the Nicholas School of the Environment and the Sanford School of Public Policy. It draws on the extensive resources of both schools, as well as numerous departments and research institutes across Duke University. UPEP students work in close proximity to PhD students in other disciplines, within each School as well as across Duke. We have close affiliations with the  Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions , the Duke University Energy Initiative , and the  Duke Global Health Institute .

UPEP builds on a long history of Duke University engagement with environmental policy issues. The predecessors of the Nicholas School—the School of Forestry, the Marine Lab, and the Department of Geology—were founded in the 1930s. The Sanford School of Public Policy traces its history to the formation of Duke’s Institute of Policy Sciences and Public Affairs in 1971. Both schools have offered environment-focused PhD training for many years. In 2010, UPEP was created to bring together groups engaged in social science research and training for environmental policy.

Applying to UPEP

UPEP applicants should apply directly to the  Duke Graduate School . All doctoral students must enter the program in the fall.

We welcome applicants from diverse academic, cultural, socioeconomic, and professional backgrounds. Approximately 3-5 students are projected to enter the program each fall, for a total of 20-25 students enrolled at any given time.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the program is extremely competitive, with less than 10 percent of applicants typically offered admission. Applicants should have a record of high academic achievement and the potential to become leading researchers on environmental policy issues. Although the program’s admissions committee evaluates applicants from a comprehensive standpoint, successful applicants will likely have:

• High GPA scores.
• Personalized letters of recommendation that attest to the applicant’s scholarly ability.
• Research interests that overlap those of one or more UPEP faculty members.
• Applicants should clearly specify the preferred concentration in the personal statement. Adequate preparation for PhD-level training in either economics or political science is an important consideration in admissions. 

Matching with Faculty

UPEP conducts program-level admissions review to evaluate applicants’ backgrounds and interests and find matches with potential advisors. Applicants may contact faculty members individually, but it is not necessary to secure an advising commitment in advance in order to be accepted into the program.

To identify faculty members with research interests similar to yours, consult the active UPEP advisor list in the UPEP Handbook and explore the  Nicholas School Faculty Database  and the  Sanford School Faculty Directory .

Other Areas of Study

Candidates should have a strong interest in either the economic or political aspects of environmental studies . If you are primarily interested in other areas, consider the following doctoral programs instead:

• If you are interested primarily in natural science aspects of the environment, consider applying to the Nicholas School’s  PhD program in Environment ,  PhD program in Earth and Ocean Sciences , or  PhD program in Ecology . 
• If you are interested in studying marine resource issues from social science perspectives other than economics or political science, consider applying to the Nicholas School’s  PhD program in Marine Science and Conservation .
• If you are interested in an applied social science degree without a specific focus on the environment, consider applying to the Sanford School’s PhD program in Public Policy Studies .

Faculty Who Advise UPEP Students

Nicholas faculty.

• Elizabeth Albright
• Lori Bennear
• Brian Murray
• Marty Smith
• Jeff Vincent 
• Erika Weinthal

Sanford Faculty

• Sarah Bermeo
• Sara Sutherland
• Marc Jeuland
• Robyn Meeks
• Subhrendu Pattanayak
• Alexander Pfaff

PhD Students in UPEP

Current students.

Savannah Carr-Wilson

Maya Chandrasekaran

Xingchen Chen

Alex Diaz Herrera

Ryan McCord

Dylan Munson

Gabriela Nagle Alverio

Chrissie Pantoja Vallejos

Matthew Reale-Hatem

Paula Sarmiento

Zhenxuan Wang

Ben Weintraut

Updated 10/2023

UPEP fosters interaction among students, Duke faculty, faculty at neighboring universities (in particular North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), and visiting researchers by co-sponsoring two seminar series that meet regularly during the academic year: 

• Environmental Institutions Seminar Series (held at Duke). 
• Triangle Resource and Environmental Economics Seminar Series  (held at Research Triangle Institute). 

UPEP runs its own internal biweekly seminar in which mostly students present to the other students and faculty.

Students also participate in numerous other seminars sponsored by the Nicholas School, the Sanford School, the Departments of Economics and Political Science, and other schools, departments, institutes, and centers at Duke and area universities.

Institutes & Centers

Students in the program interact with researchers at several institutes and centers at Duke, including: 

• Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
• Duke Global Health Institute
• Social Science Research Institute
• Duke Center for International Development 
• Duke University Energy Initiative

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find our responses to the most common questions asked by prospective applicants.  

General Questions

What is the difference between UPEP and other PhD programs in the Nicholas and Sanford schools at Duke?

UPEP is intended for individuals who are interested in conducting PhD studies in environmental policy with an emphasis on economics or political science, under the supervision of Duke University faculty members who have primary appointments in the Nicholas or Sanford schools. 

Other PhD programs at Duke are probably more appropriate for you if you are interested in natural science aspects of the environment, purely disciplinary programs in economics or political science, fields of public policy other than environmental policy, or studying marine resource issues from perspectives other than economics or political science. 

If you are still not sure which program to apply to, please contact the faculty members whose research interests you and ask them which programs admit students that they can supervise.

What kinds of careers does UPEP prepare students for?

A variety of organizations hire individuals with PhDs in environmental policy, including universities, research institutes, government agencies, private-sector consulting firms, and NGOs.  

Is UPEP an interdisciplinary program?

UPEP is interdisciplinary in the sense of requiring students to learn about two important dimensions of environmental policy—economics and politics—and encouraging them to develop a basic understanding of natural science aspects of the issues that interest them.  It emphasizes, however, the development of disciplinary expertise in either economics or political science as applied to environmental policy issues.

What kind of financial aid will I receive if I am admitted?

Details will be provided in your offer letter.

Can you send me a brochure on UPEP?

All information on UPEP is web-based.  Please contact the UPEP Director of Graduate Studies Assistant (DGSA,  [email protected] ) if you are unable to find the information you are seeking on this website.

Does Duke have a Master’s program in Environmental Policy?

Duke has a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) program, which is administered by the Nicholas School and includes an Environmental Economics and Policy concentration , and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) program, which is administered by the Sanford School.

Does Duke have a joint JD/PhD program in environmental policy?

You can earn both a JD and an Environmental Policy PhD from Duke in the following way.  Begin by applying to the three-year JD/MA program, with the MA in either Environmental Science and Policy (through the Nicholas School) or Public Policy Studies (through the Sanford School).  Please contact the Duke Law School for more information on the JD/MA program.  In the final year of the JD/MA program, apply to UPEP like any other applicant.  Depending on the courses taken during the JD/MA program, the number of additional years required to complete the UPEP PhD might be reduced from 5 years to 4 years, but probably not by more. 

Program Requirements

How long does the program take to complete?

Typically 5 years.  You can see illustrative timelines for the environmental economics and environmental politics concentrations in the UPEP Student Handbook .

Are economics and political science the only concentrations under UPEP?

Currently, yes.  

Do I need to decide on my concentration (economics or concentration) when I apply?

Yes.  You should state your intended concentration in your application.  Applicants who are unsure about their concentration will not be admitted.

What are the requirements of each concentration?

Please see the UPEP Student Handbook for program and curriculum details.

Do I need to identify a prospective advisor before I apply?

No, but your chances of admission will increase if your application indicates that you have identified one or more faculty members in the Nicholas or Sanford schools whose research interests are similar to yours.  You are welcome to communicate with faculty members before you apply, but please note that they cannot tell you whether you will be admitted.  Admission decisions are made by the Duke Graduate School, as advised by the UPEP admissions committee, not by individual faculty members.

How do I identify faculty members who might be interested in advising me if I am admitted?

Please see the “UPEP Faculty” listed above.

Will I be assigned an advisor if I am admitted?

Yes.  You will be assigned an advisor when you are admitted.  Your advisor will likely be a faculty member that you have mentioned in your application.  Another faculty member will be assigned, however, if none of the faculty members that you mention is available or if another faculty member is deemed to be a more suitable advisor for you.  Assigning an advisor at this early point in the program ensures that you will have a faculty member who will take responsibility for advising you on course selection, discussing your research interests, assisting you in obtaining grants and fellowships, and in other ways helping you complete the program successfully.

Can I change my advisor?

Yes.  Students interested in changing advisors should contact the UPEP Director of Graduate Studies.

Can I work with only my advisor as a teaching assistant (TA), a research assistant (RA), or on my dissertation research?

No.  TA assignments are made independently of advisor assignments, although you will likely serve as a TA for your advisor at least once.  RAships depend on funding availability.  You can serve as an RA for either your advisor or another faculty member.  UPEP students form dissertation committees consistent with Duke Graduate School rules, and members of the committee other than your advisor often play a large role in supervising aspects of the research.

Admissions Process

How do I apply to UPEP?

You apply through the Duke Graduate School. 

When is my application due?

The application deadline is posted on the Duke Graduate School website .  Late applications are generally not considered.

Can I enter the program during the spring semester instead of the fall semester?

No.  All students must enter during the fall semester.

Do I need to visit Duke before I apply?

No.  If you are interested in visiting, please contact the faculty members whose research most interests you and arrange a time to visit when they are available.  You will be responsible for making and paying for your own travel arrangements.  If you are admitted to UPEP, then you and other admitted students will be invited to visit Duke in mid-March, with the costs of that visit being covered by Duke up to a budgeted amount.

How are admission decisions made?

UPEP has an admissions committee, which meets in early January to review all of the complete applications submitted to Duke Graduate School.  Incomplete applications are not reviewed.  Based on the admission committee’s findings, the UPEP Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) provides recommendations to the Duke Graduate School as to which students should be admitted.  The Graduate School makes the official admission decisions.

When will I find out if I have been admitted?

Typically by the middle of February.

When must I decide whether to accept Duke’s offer of admission?

This information will be in your offer letter.  The date is typically in mid-April.

If I am admitted to the program, can I defer admission?

Ordinarily no, but deferrals may sometimes be granted for medical reasons.

Will I automatically be considered for other PhD programs at Duke or for a Master’s program if I am not admitted to UPEP?

No. Your application to UPEP is only for UPEP.

If I am not admitted to UPEP, should I enter another program and then apply for a transfer to UPEP?

You are welcome to do this, but there is no guarantee that it will increase your chances of admission.  You will be required to reapply through the normal process, and your application will be reviewed with along with those from first-time applicants.

I applied to the program last year but was not admitted. I would like to reapply. Can Duke transfer my scores, transcripts, and other materials to this year’s application?

No. You must submit a new application.

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Environmental Economics: M.S., Ph.D. 

The Environmental Economics programs train students in state-of-the-art economics and policy analysis pertaining to environmental issues, combining an emphasis on quantitative approaches with unique strengths in interdisciplinary and marine applications such as fisheries, offshore energy, coastal land use, sea level rise, and climate change. Students study how to manage environmental resources, evaluate the effectiveness of policies, ensure sustainability and environmental justice, and address local and global environmental change.

Students build expertise in policy areas of their choosing and acquire cutting-edge research and analytical skills. The EE programs are appropriate for students with quantitative social science backgrounds seeking to better understand environmental issues; STEM students who want to apply their interests to public policy; persons with experience in public or private sectors looking to advance their environmental policy expertise; and recently graduated students continuing their matriculation with focused interests related to environmental economics. Students from diverse backgrounds and international students are encouraged to apply.

Degrees Offered

Environmental Economics-M.S.

Environmental Economics-Ph.D.

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The  2023-2024  UD graduate student tuition rate per credit hour is $1028 .

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Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics

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The PhD program is a globally recognized leader in the disciplinary areas of agricultural, development, environmental and regional economic s and was previously ranked by the National Research Council as the top program in Agricultural and Resource Economics in the United States.

Students acquire rigorous training in economic theory and advanced quantitative methods and learn to apply these skills to a wide range of real-world economic problems. Degree recipients go on to assume teaching, research and managerial positions with universities and colleges, research institutions, government agencies, multilateral international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and private companies and corporations.

An MS degree is not required for admission to apply to the PhD Program.  Students whose undergraduate degrees are not in economics or business are welcome to apply as well.

Learn more about the application criteria and process >>>>>

Fields of specialization

Students are required to take a total of 12 credit hours of frontiers courses that provide specialized training in the field of their choice. The AEDE frontiers courses cover topics relevant to agricultural economics, environmental and resource economics, regional economics and development economics. Graduate students are given wide latitude to design their own program of study and to choose a dissertation topic. In recent years, under the supervision of AEDE faculty members, doctoral students have conducted innovative theoretical and applied research on agricultural policy and trade, agricultural finance and risk management, consumption and marketing economics, food economics and agribusiness, environmental and natural resource economics, international and regional economic development, poverty and food security, climate change,  agricultural economics,  spatial and land-use economics, health economics, bioeconomics, and experimental and behavioral economics. Innovative research that addresses pressing social problems is encouraged, regardless of the sub-discipline of economics with which it may be identified.

Course requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 90 graduate semester credit hours and take the non-credit Math Camp offered by the Department of Economics in July and August, immediately preceding the start of classes in the first year. Students are required to take a minimum of 56 credit hours of in-class coursework. This is comprised of 44 credit hours of required courses that provide a strong foundation in microeconomic theory, econometric theory, applied econometrics and applied welfare as well as 12 credit hours of frontiers courses relevant to the student’s intended research topics to provide more specialized training. All additional credit hours cover departmental seminar requirements and dissertation research. Please refer to our curriculum sheets for the first year and second/third years in the PhD program for a more detailed understanding of the required coursework.

Examinations

In addition to required coursework, students must: Pass a microeconomics theory qualifying examination prior to the beginning of the second year; Pass the second year manuscript requirement prior to the beginning of their third year; Pass the candidacy examination and defend their doctoral dissertation proposal, typically before the beginning of their fifth year; Complete the doctoral dissertation and pass a final oral examination.  

Questions? We are here to help. Please email AEDE Graduation Admissions and Services below for more information about the PhD program.

AEDE Graduate Admissions and Services

[email protected]   | 614-292-7911

Ph.D. in Environmental Policy

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• Faculty working with students: 31
• Students: 13
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Part time study available: No
• Application terms: Fall
• Application deadline: December 14

Erika Weinthal Director of Graduate Studies University Program in Environmental Policy Duke University Box 90328 Durham, NC 27708-0328 Phone: (919) 613-8002

Email:  [email protected]

Website: https://nicholas.duke.edu/academics/doctoral-degrees

Program Description

The University Program in Environmental Policy (UPEP) is a multidisciplinary, research-focused five-year doctoral degree, intended to prepare candidates for positions in applied academic departments and professional schools (e.g., environment and natural resources, public policy, public administration, international affairs), domestic and international public agencies and environmental organizations, research institutes, and policy consulting firms.  Although the program is multidisciplinary, it is designed to ensure that students have strength in a particular social science discipline.  Students designate their concentration when applying and currently may select either environmental economics or environmental politics.

Students interested in doctoral studies at Duke can also study the environment from a social science perspective through the disciplinary PhD program in Economics and PhD program in Political Science, and the interdisciplinary PhD program in Marine Science and Conservation.  Students interested in an applied social science degree without a specific focus on the environment should apply to the PhD program in Public Policy Studies.  Students interested in natural science aspects of the environment should consider the PhD program in Environment, PhD program in Earth and Ocean Sciences, PhD program in Marine Science and Conservation, and PhD program in Ecology.

UPEP is the first and only PhD program in the United States jointly administered by a school of the environment and a school of public policy.  It provides a focal point for faculty and graduate students in the Nicholas School of the Environment and the Sanford School of Public Policy who are interested in environmental policy.  It draws on the intellectual resources of not only the two schools but also related disciplinary departments (Economics, Political Science) and other professional schools (Law School, Fuqua School, Pratt School of Engineering) at Duke.  Faculty in the program conduct research on economic and political aspects of a wide range of topics, including air and water quality, biodiversity conservation, climate change, community resources management, corporate sustainability, ecosystem services, energy, environmental health, fisheries, forests, freshwater, and marine resources, in both U.S. and international contexts.  Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members with related interests to learn more about their current research projects and interest in accepting new doctoral students.

Students in the program:

• A set of common requirements, including courses in the political-economic theory of public policy (PUBPOL 901/902, 6 credits), a series of research workshops leading to the dissertation proposal (ENV 834S, 4.5 credits), and at least one course in environmental/resource economics (3+ credits).
• Disciplinary concentration requirements, including core theory (6+ credits) and research methods (6+ credits) in economics or political science, and corresponding environmental field courses (i.e., environmental economics or environmental politics; (6 credits).
• As needed, appropriate training in natural sciences relevant to the student's research.  The level and content of such training is flexible and is worked out in consultation with the student's advisor and committee.
• Regularly attend and participate in one or more research seminars in which faculty and others present their research.
• Attain dissertation status, including meeting qualifying requirements and passing the preliminary exam, by the end of the third year.
• Pass a final examination, which consists of an oral dissertation defense to an approved supervisory committee.  This is typically completed by the end of the fifth year.  A successful Environmental Policy PhD dissertation must constitute a significant contribution to policy-relevant knowledge, either through innovative application of social science methods to environmental policy problems, or by innovation in theory or methods appropriate for addressing environmental policy problems.

Students normally receive a stipend and a scholarship to cover tuition and fees for up to five years of study if they maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree.  Support during the first 2-3 years is usually in return for service as a teaching assistant, with support during the remainder of the program expected to come from research grants managed by a student's major professor.  Some students also compete successfully for fellowships offered by the Graduate School and other sources at Duke.  Applicants are encouraged to explore external sources of fellowship support (e.g., National Science Foundation) during the application process.

Students in the program can interact with researchers at several centers and institutes at Duke University including the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, the Center on Global Change, the Duke Global Health Institute, the Social Science Research Institute, the Duke Center for International Development, and the Triangle Census Research Data Center.  They can also interact with visiting researchers through two research seminar series supported by UPEP--the Environmental Institutions Seminar Series held at Duke and the regional Triangle Resource and Environmental Economics Seminar Series organized by Duke, North Carolina State University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Institute, along with numerous other seminar series in the Nicholas School, the Sanford School, the Departments of Economics and Political Science, and other Duke schools, departments, institutes, and centers.

• Environmental Policy: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Environmental Policy: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Environmental Policy: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Environmental Policy: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Application Deadline:  December 14

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General (Optional)
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Writing Sample None required

Additional Requirements: On no more than one page, please briefly highlight the following:

• Your academic preparation and/or professional experience in quantitative methods and skills (e.g. math, statistics, epidemiology). Provide a bulleted list of relevant academic coursework with final grades, and any relevant research projects, extracurricular engagement, experience with software, and/or professional responsibilities
• Your academic and/or professional writing experiences, as evidenced through research papers, an undergraduate thesis, scientific writing courses, or professional writing.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

List of Graduate School Programs and Degrees

100 Best colleges for Environmental Economics in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Environmental Economics. A graph of 1.36M citations received by 47.1K academic papers made by 184 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of California - Berkeley

For Environmental Economics

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

3. Carnegie Mellon University

4. Stanford University

5. University of California - Davis

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

7. Harvard University

8. University of Florida

9. Arizona State University - Tempe

10. University of Texas at Austin

11. Georgia Institute of Technology

12. Ohio State University

13. Pennsylvania State University

14. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

15. Yale University

16. Cornell University

17. University of Maryland - College Park

18. Texas A&M University - College Station

19. University of Pennsylvania

20. Iowa State University

21. University of Delaware

22. Michigan State University

23. Columbia University

24. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

25. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

26. Duke University

27. University of Washington - Seattle

28. Purdue University

29. New York University

30. University of Colorado Boulder

31. University of Wisconsin - Madison

32. Princeton University

33. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

34. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

35. Oregon State University

36. Michigan Technological University

37. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

38. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

39. Rochester Institute of Technology

40. Colorado School of Mines

41. University of Central Florida

42. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

43. University of California - Santa Barbara

44. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

45. Clemson University

46. University of California - Irvine

47. University of Arizona

48. Boston University

49. University of California - Los Angeles

50. Johns Hopkins University

51. University of Georgia

52. University of California - Riverside

53. University of Pittsburgh

54. University of Vermont

55. California Institute of Technology

56. Portland State University

57. University of Illinois at Chicago

58. University of Southern California

59. Missouri University of Science and Technology

60. University of Chicago

61. Syracuse University

62. Washington State University

63. Vanderbilt University

64. University of Virginia

65. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

66. Northwestern University

67. University of California-San Diego

68. Case Western Reserve University

69. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

70. George Mason University

71. Illinois Institute of Technology

72. University of Miami

73. University of Kentucky

74. John F. Kennedy University

75. University of Connecticut

76. Southern Methodist University

77. Mississippi State University

78. Northeastern University

79. George Washington University

80. University of South Florida

81. University of New Mexico

82. Boston College

83. University of Wyoming

84. Oklahoma State University

85. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

86. Tufts University

87. University of Hawaii at Manoa

88. Rice University

89. Clark University

90. Georgia State University

91. University of Missouri - Columbia

92. University of Toledo

93. Texas Tech University

94. West Virginia University

95. Florida International University

96. University of Utah

97. University of Nevada - Reno

98. University of Oklahoma - Norman

99. San Diego State University

100. North Dakota State University

The best cities to study Environmental Economics in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Berkeley , Cambridge , Pittsburgh , and Stanford .

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Ph.D. in Economics

The Ph.D. program in the Department of Economics at Columbia University trains students to do cutting edge research in economics.  Students in our program do research in all major areas of economics including microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, international economics, labor economics, public finance, industrial organization, development economics, and urban economics.  Our department provides strong training both in theoretical economics and in applied and empirical economics.  The Ph.D. program is primarily designed for students that are interested in pursuing a career in teaching and research within academia but is also useful for student interested in certain positions within governments, research organizations, or private businesses.

The first two years of our Ph.D. program is largely devoted to rigorous coursework. After the second year, however, students devote most of their time to their own research under the supervision of faculty advisors. Students in our program generally complete their Ph.D. in 5 or 6 years.

Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly selective.  We receive approximately 1,000 applications each year for an incoming class of roughly 25 students.  We place a high value on attracting the very best minds, and recruiting members of groups who will both enhance the diversity of research in the field and contribute to the diversity of the university’s academic and professional community.

The Ph.D. program has a long and illustrious history.  Alumni of the program include some of the most distinguished economists of the last century – including Nobel Prize winners Kenneth J. Arrow, Milton Friedman, Simon Smith Kuznets, and William S. Vickrey.

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1022 International Affairs Building (IAB)

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420 West 118th Street

New York, NY 10027

PhD in Economics

PhD students take 16 courses, roughly half of which are spent acquiring the core analytic tools of the profession (microeconomics, macroeconomics, and quantitative methods), with the balance spent applying those tools in particular fields of specialization. All PhD students must complete a doctoral dissertation (thesis).

The PhD in Economics is a STEM designated degree program.

View the complete PhD Rules here

Program Requirements

Doctoral students must complete a minimum of 16 semester courses (64 credits). They are required to successfully complete the core courses by the end of the first year.

Theory and Quantitative Core Requirements

These core courses must be passed by the end of the first year with a grade of at least B- in each course.

• EC 701 Advanced Microeconomics I (4 credits)
• EC 702 Advanced Macroeconomics I (4 credits)
• EC 703 Advanced Microeconomics II (4 credits)
• EC 704 Advanced Macroeconomics II (4 credits)
• EC 707 Advanced Statistics for Economists (4 credits)
• EC 708 Advanced Econometrics I (4 credits)

Students must also take EC 705 Mathematical Economics in the first semester, unless a waiver is granted, and EC 709 Advanced Econometrics II (4 credits) in the third semester.

In addition, students must pass a qualifying examination in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students have at most three opportunities to take the qualifying examinations; failing may result in termination from the PhD program.

Field Requirements

All students must pass 2 2-course fields, each with a minimum grade average of B.

In addition, students must take at least 2 other courses. The following fields are generally offered each year:

• Development
• Econometrics
• Economic Theory
• Empirical Finance
• Financial Econometrics
• Industrial Organization
• International Economics
• Labor Economics
• Money/Macroeconomics
• Public Economics

GPA Requirements

All courses must be passed with a grade of B– or higher. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be attained in all courses taken after enrollment in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Time Requirement

The PhD program is designed so that a typical student can complete all requirements within 5 to 6 years. International students may be subject to additional restrictions imposed by the terms of their visas, as governed by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).

Students are expected to meet the following milestones each year:

By the end of the 1st year:

• Finish and pass all core first-year courses, as well as EC 705 (unless exempted through placement exam).
• Sit for the first attempt at the micro and macro qualifying exams in June. The second attempt, if necessary, is in August.

By the end of the 2nd year:

• Pass EC 709, a required course in Advanced Econometrics.
• Continue and, if possible, complete remaining coursework, including a two-course sequence in each of two fields. A B average (3.0) is required in each of the field course sequence.
• Achieve an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
• If both qualifiers are not passed, the third and final attempt is in June of the second year.
• Each student must prepare a research paper during the second year and the following summer. By April 1 of the second year, the student must ask a faculty member to serve as an advisor on this paper; have this faculty member agree to serve in this manner; and inform the DGS of the topic of the paper and the advisor’s name. The paper is due in the third year as described below.

By the end of the 3rd year:

• Submit the second-year paper by October 1. By October 15, the faculty advisor must provide (i) a grade for the paper; and (ii) a brief written evaluation the paper. These documents will be sent to the DGS and the student. A student must receive a passing grade on the research paper.
• Complete all coursework with GPA of at least 3.0.
• Continue work on research for the dissertation.
• Attend and present at least annually in one of the research workshops until completion of all degree requirements.

Years 4, 5, and (if necessary) 6:

• Student carries out thesis research, defending the thesis no later than the end of the sixth year.

Dissertation

Under the supervision of two faculty advisers, a student prepares a dissertation proposal for presentation at a proposal seminar. If the proposal is approved, the student proceeds to research and write the dissertation. When the dissertation is completed, the student must defend it at a final oral examination. The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences requires that the dissertation be completed within seven years of initial enrollment in the program.

For more details, view the complete PhD Rules here and check out our past PhD Placements here .

PhD Environmental Economics programs in United States

Deadline information, best universities with environmental economics in united states (usa).

Bachelor Environmental Economics programs in United States (USA)

Master Environmental Economics programs in United States (USA)

Most Popular Environmental Economics programs in United States (USA)

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Environmental Economics Degree

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• Why Environmental Economy?
• Bachelor's Degrees in Environmental Economy
• Certificate Programs in Environmental Economy
• Master's Environmental Economy Degrees
• Doctoral Level Environmental Economy Programs
• Job in Environmental Economy
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Why an Environmental Economics Degree?

Environmental economics is an area of economics dealing with the relationship between the economy, the earth's systems, and its limited resource base. Economic systems exist within the confines of the closed earth system. Rather than considering economic systems in isolation, environmental economics studies economics within the larger context of what we know about the world from science and other disciplines.

Environmental economists research the economics of resource use, perform cost-benefit analyses of environmental regulations and other pollution control measures, and assess new fuels and emerging environmental markets. They attempt to assign value to “ecosystem services” such as natural water and air filtration.

Environmental Economics Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate study is usually just a starting point for economists. While some government positions are available to workers with bachelor's degrees, most positions required advanced degrees. Coursework is largely quantitative, focusing on math and statistics. Students also learn how to use computer software to create economic models. They may also study environmental law and policy . Taking physical and life science courses is also recommended. Seeking out internships and volunteer opportunities that provide practical experience will also be advantageous when it comes to employment.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) lists 11 undergraduate programs in this field, though this number only includes programs at AASHE member institutions. Keep in mind that program names can vary; Environmental Economics and Policy, Environmental Economics & Management, Environmental and Resource Economics, Natural Resource Economics, or Ecological Economics are a few equivalent degree programs with different names.

In addition, a few schools, such as UC Berkeley and Ohio State University, offer minors. Some generalized undergraduate programs in economics also offer elective courses in environmental economics.

School Spotlight

University of California, Berkeley's major in Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) focuses on the market forces shaping the use of renewable and non-renewable resources, and how policy and law affects them. This interdisciplinary program is offered by both the College of Natural Resources (BS) and the College of Letters and Science (BA). Berkeley's program is based on micro-economic theory. Colorado State University's Environmental and Natural Resource Economics degree provides a strong basis in applied economic tools, data gathering, and analysis. To further their interdisciplinary studies and obtain a fuller understanding of the interactions between science and social science, students can pursue a double-major by adding a major in Natural Resource Management from the Warner College of Natural Resources.

Graduate Certificates in Environmental Economy

A graduate certificate in environmental economics can be an excellent choice for those wanting to further their careers by expanding their credentials. It's particularly useful for professionals in adjacent areas, such as environmental science , environmental engineering , environmental biology , or architecture who would like to move into different roles or managerial positions.

However, only a handful of schools currently offer graduate certificates in this area. The University of Vermont's Graduate Certificate in Ecological Economics teaches students how to integrate economics within the context of the world's ecosystems and resource base from both theoretical and pragmatic perspectives. Students must demonstrate competency in natural science, social science, management and quantitative methods. Competency in two of these areas must be demonstrated for admission to the certification program, either through prior graduate coursework or life experience. Provisional admission is also possible.

Master's Degrees in Environmental Economics

Graduate-level study is often required for careers in environmental economics. It generally involves a greater focus on applied economics, including quantitative research and analytics. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the programs, the coursework involved can vary considerably. Some programs focus mainly on the social science aspects of economics such as policy and law, while other programs focus on physical and life sciences. In general, aspiring students from scientific fields, or those who wish to enter scientific fields, should seek out programs offered by scientific departments, while those more interested in law and policy should seek out programs offered by departments of economics.

Duke University's Environmental Sciences & Policy program combines the physical, biological, and social sciences to study how natural resource policy affects the economic choices of individuals and businesses, and how they in turn affect resource consumption and the environment. It's a highly analytical program that's international in scope. The University of Rhode Island's graduate program in Environmental & Natural Resource Economics focuses on coastal and marine resource development and management. For example, courses and faculty study the ecosystem services these resources provide, as well as how economic activity and policies affect water quality and pollution.

Doctoral Programs in Environmental Economics

The majority of environmental and other economists hold doctoral degrees. Since economics is a largely research-based profession doctoral degrees are necessary for many jobs. While the number of institutions offering Ph.D. programs specifically in environmental economics is fairly low, some universities offer doctoral programs in economics or related areas, with an emphasis or concentration in environmental or ecological economics. The London School of Economics is also an excellent international choice. These doctoral programs involve advanced quantitative work, independent research, and a dissertation.

The University of Vermont is also an excellent place to pursue a doctoral degree. Students can apply for a fellowship at the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, an interdisciplinary research center. Students can collaborate with faculty from a range of schools, gaining valuable research experience and variety of perspectives. To study at the Gund, students must first apply to a related school, such as the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. Applicants should mention their interest in the Gund PhD Assistantship, along with any faculty they've already been in touch with. The school's faculty will nominate candidates for the Gund Assistantship. Students receive degrees in the home departments of their advisors. The Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara offers a Ph.D. program with an emphasis on economics and environmental science (EES). Depending on background and career goals, students are enrolled as doctoral candidates in either the Department of Economics or the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. Students start our their programs with core work in microeconomics and econometrics in their home schools, then move on the EES portion in the second year. UCSB's program provides a solid foundation in both the scientific and economic aspects of the discipline.

Employment as an Environmental Economist

Environmental economists can earn a comfortable salary; the median salary for all economists was $108,350 in 2020. Most environmental economists currently work in federal or state government. While these positions are expected to decline, overall employment of economists is projected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030. Some environmental consulting firms are hiring economists to estimate and minimize project costs. They may also work as project managers for consultancies and environmental nonprofits.

2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for Economists reflect national data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2021.

Core Skills You'll Develop While Studying Environmental Economics

• Writing: Since economists routinely write reports they must learn how to speak and write well.
• Critical Thinking: Economists learn logic and reasoning to identify and weigh the pros and cons of various approaches and solutions to economic issues.
• Judgment and Decision Making: Economist apply these skills to cost-benefit analyses and the construction of economic recommendations.
• Statistics and Quantitative Analysis: Economists also gain a strong background in statistics and quantitative analysis.

Learn more about a career as an Environmental Economist.

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PhD contract in sustainable finance - 2024-2027

03 april 2024, 01 september 2024, 01 september 2027, 17 may 2024, phd programs, phd in economics.

Aix-Marseille School of Economics (AMSE) and fintech  WeeFin are offering a three-year PhD contract in the field of sustainable finance. The aim of the PhD project will be to decode and decompose environmental indicators to maximize their use, relevance and usefulness for financial players.

The thesis will be carried out under an  French industrial fellowship programme (CIFRE) based on a cooperation between WeeFin and AMSE. The PhD student will be enrolled in the  Doctoral School of Economics and Management at the University of Aix-Marseille, and will be part of the  AMSE doctoral program . He/she will be based at Weefin's premises in Paris.

The thesis project will address the following research questions:

• Which sustainability indicators should be chosen to support corporate investment strategies, according to various climate scenarios? In the medium and long term, companies, and investors risk misalignment due to insufficient ambition.
• What are the best indicators to help financial players make better investment decisions? In the short term, investors risk misaligning their investment decisions, which could lead to financial controversies.

Call for submission In French / In English

Contact information Christelle Lecourt: [email protected] Léo Fargeas: [email protected]

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