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MEM 3+2

Master in Environmental Management (MEM) 3+2

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master in Environmental Management

Degree Type

Accelerated Degree Programs

Department

Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability

An increasing focus on the environment and its resources has made environmental managers an essential asset for many businesses, nonprofits and government entities. If you want to help enforce environmental regulations in air quality, waste, water and pollution in a variety of in-demand positions, an advanced degree in environmental management will set you up for success.

Program Overview

Environment and sustainability program

Help develop solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Imagine building a livelihood based on your environmental values. Imagine learning in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains with our inspiring backyard as your transformative classroom. Imagine earning a Master in Environmental Management (MEM) and a bachelor’s degree in one of seven undergraduate programs in just five years. It’s all possible at Western through our accelerated MEM 3+2 program.

Our unique and innovative accelerated degree program allows you to customize your educational experience. Choose an undergraduate program in Biology; Business Administration; Environment & Sustainability; Politics & Government; Psychology; Public History; Recreation & Outdoor Education; or Sociology and pair it with a Master in Environmental Management. You can then choose to focus your degree on Integrative & Public Land Management, Sustainable & Resilient Communities or Global Sustainability. Through a wide selection of fieldwork, research and internship opportunities, you’ll gain the experience and skills needed for a purposeful career as an environmental policy analyst, conservation scientist or sustainability consultant.

IB Diploma Programme Students, with the opportunity to transfer up to 40 IB Higher Level and Standard Level credits with a score of 4 or higher, the 3+2 can become a 2+2. Click here to learn more.

Research in our backyard

Master in Environmental Management (MEM) 3+2 live and learn in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains with our inspiring backyard as a transformative classroom experience.

Program Requirements

At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.

The Environmental Management emphasis allows students to complete the B.A. in Environment and Sustainability (ENVS) and the Master in Environmental Management (MEM) at Western in five years. To remain qualified for the 3+2, upon earning 66 credits each student must have:

  • maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 GPA within the major;
  • earned a B or above in two social science, two natural science (one with lab), and one statistics course;
  • fulfilled the 3-credit Internship requirement with a B or above and positive letter from the project sponsor;
  • provided three letters of recommendation, at least one of which is to be a professional reference and at least one of which is to be an academic reference from the student’s major at Western;
  • written a Statement of Purpose to the MEM program, detailing early career ambitions and ideas and connections for the eventual master’s Project.

At this point, if any aspect of a student’s performance is found to be insufficient, the MEM Director may reject a 3+2 student from the MEM program, in which case the student will need to find a new emphasis or minor in order to complete the undergraduate degree. Upon meeting the requirements above, and after Junior Year (reaching 91 credits in this plan—see “MAJOR MAP” at western.edu/3_2) holding to the same GPA and general performance standards outlined above, the School of Graduate Studies will designate students as “MEM candidates with provisional acceptance.” Upon completion of the final 29 credits of the Western B.A. in Year Four of this plan, the School of Graduate Studies will designate students as “MEM degree seeking students.” Students who have completed all other requirements of the 3+2 program and all Western undergraduate requirements, yet choose to leave the MEM program before Year 5, will still have completed the undergraduate emphasis in Environmental Management and have earned the 120 credits necessary for a Western undergraduate degree.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 71 credits is required for the B.A. components of the emphasis.

Course List
Code Title Credits
ENVS 100Introduction to Environment and Sustainability (GT-SS2)3
ENVS 200Writing the Environment3
ENVS 250Environmental Justice3
ENVS 301Science of Sustainability and Resilience3
ENVS 350U.S. and Western Environmental Politics3
ENVS 390Environmental Monitoring4
ENVS 400Applied Sustainability3
ENVS 410Environmental Ethics3
ENVS 499Internship in Environmental Studies3
Required supporting courses
BIOL 130Environmental Biology (GT-SC2)3
BIOL 135Environmental Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1)1
ECON 215Environmental Economics3
PHYS 125Energy and the Environment (GT-SC2)3
Select one of the following:3
ENVS 360
Global Environmental Policy
ENVS 370
Water Policy and Politics
GEOG 340
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Select one of the following:1
HWTR 200
This Is The Headwaters
HWTR 398
Headwaters Conference
Select one of the following:3
ECON 216
Statistics for Business and Economics
MATH 113
Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1)
MATH 213
Probability and Statistics (GT-MA1)
SOC 211
Quantitative Research Methods
Select one of the following:3
ANTH 230
Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory)
ANTH 320
Cultural Ecology
ENG 151
Borderlands: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality
POLS 250
Politics of the Environment
POLS 340
Politics of Social Movements
POLS 350
Human Rights
POLS 355
The Global South
POLS 370
Political Economy
PSY 308
Environmental Psychology
PSY 410
Multicultural Psychology
PSY 457
Social Psychology
SOC 150
Environmental Sociology
SOC 168
Social Problems
SOC 340
Social Movements
SOC 380
Social Inequalities
Core MEM Courses
ENVS 601Introduction to Environmental Management5
ENVS 605Science for Environmental Management3
ENVS 608Environmental Politics and Policy3
ENVS 611Integrative Skills for Environmental Management3
ENVS 612Introduction to Analysis and Assessment for Environmental Management3
ENVS 615From Climate Science to Action3
Select one of the following from the MEM Emphases:3
Sustainable and Resilient Communities Emphasis:
ENVS 616
Environmental Organization Development and Management
Global Sustainability Emphasis:
ENVS 617
Global Sustainability
Integrative and Public Land Management Emphasis:
ENVS 618
Public Lands Management
Total Credits71

Upon successful completion of the prescribed courses listed above, University defined General Education, and elective requirements totaling 120 credits (with 40 at the 300-level or higher), students are eligible for their B.A. conferral. Students electing to complete MEM must follow the balance of their declared emphasis curriculum.

For a full description of the required Graduate coursework, please see the appropriate MEM program in the Western Graduate Catalog

Capstone Course Requirement

The following course in the Environment and Sustainability Major fulfills the capstone course requirement: ENVS 400 Applied Sustainability.

Graduation Requirements

Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation.  Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above).  Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued. 

Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements

Sample Major Map: B.A. in Environment and Sustainability & MEM (3+2)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
ENVS 100 Introduction to Environment and Sustainability (GT-SS2) 3
BIOL 130
BIOL 135
Environmental Biology (GT-SC2)
and Environmental Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1)
4
Elective Elective 6
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
 Credits17
Spring
ENVS 200 Writing the Environment 3
PHYS 125 Energy and the Environment (GT-SC2) 3
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
MATH 113 Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) 3
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
ENVS 301 Science of Sustainability and Resilience 3
Gen EdOther General Education Courses 9
ENVS 250 Environmental Justice 3
HWTR 398
or HWTR 200
Headwaters Conference
or This Is The Headwaters
1
 Credits16
Spring
ENVS 350 U.S. and Western Environmental Politics 3
ECON 215 Environmental Economics 3
Elective Electives 3
Gen Ed General Education Courses 6
 Credits15
Summer
ENVS 499 Internship in Environmental Studies 1 1-6
 Credits1-6
Year Three
Fall
ENVS 390 Environmental Monitoring 4
GEOG 340
or ENVS 370
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 2
or Water Policy and Politics
3
ENVS 410 Environmental Ethics 3
Gen Ed General Education Courses 3
 Credits13
Spring
ENVS 360 Global Environmental Policy 3 3
Gen Ed General Education Courses 3
Elective Electives 3
Electivechosen from selection of classes on cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, sex, sexuality, and/or class contexts 3
 Credits12
Summer
ENVS 601 Introduction to Environmental Management 5
 Credits5
Year Four
Fall
ENVS 605 Science for Environmental Management 3
ENVS 608 Environmental Politics and Policy 3
ENVS 611 Integrative Skills for Environmental Management 3
Elective Elective 3
 Credits12
Spring
ENVS 612 Introduction to Analysis and Assessment for Environmental Management 3
ENVS 615 From Climate Science to Action 3
ENVS 616
or ENVS 617
or ENVS 618
Environmental Organization Development and Management
or Global Sustainability
or Public Lands Management
3
ENVS 400 Applied Sustainability 3
 Credits12
Summer
ENVS 690 MEM Project Development 5
 Credits5
Year Five
Fall
ENVS 620
or ENVS 625
or ENVS 623
Studies in Sustainable and Resilient Communities
or Studies in Integrative and Public Land Management
or Studies in Environmental Management
6
ENVS 694 Master's Project and Portfolio 3
 Credits9
Spring
ENVS 620
or ENVS 625
or ENVS 623
Studies in Sustainable and Resilient Communities
or Studies in Integrative and Public Land Management
or Studies in Environmental Management
3
ENVS 694 Master's Project and Portfolio 6
 Credits9
 Total Credits141-146
1

66 credit mark completed. Submit 3+2 application materials by July 1.

2

or Elective to Global Env Policy (if ENVS 370 Water Policy and Politics or GIS has not been taken.)

3

Take ENVS 370 Water Policy and Politics if ENVS 360 Global Environmental Policy has not been taken.

Spotlight

Headshot of Triston smiling

Triston Turner

Student

“Any leadership role makes your college experience unique because you obviously don’t have to do this before you graduate. Being an EPIC Mentor has provided me with more perspective in my life. I see different viewpoints and the diversity of people’s backgrounds.” As he works toward his master’s degree, Triston is involved with EPIC Mentors, the Organics Guild, Western Solar Society and the Honors Program.

Headshot of Etinosa Ingubor

Etinosa Igunbor

Student

I don’t really fancy snowboarding. So I just started working toward my goal.

Careers

Take the first steps toward your dream career.

Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.

Ready to apply or learn more about Western today?

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Find Your Career

The data is automatically collected by Lightcast, a firm that sources job market data. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Get Involved

Chipeta garden

Expand your community and your network.

There are so many ways that you can maximize your educational experience at Western. Take advantage of these opportunities to advance your career.

  • Clubs & Organizations: Join the Organics Guild, Sustainability Coalition or Wildlife Society.
  • Coldharbour Institute: Experiment with sustainable building design, resilient food systems or community organizing in the Gunnison Valley.
  • Conferences: Attend the Headwaters Conference, the Colorado Water Workshop and Sage Grouse Spring Symposium.
  • Earthship Academy: Learn how to construct a self-sustaining building capable of producing food and saving energy.
  • High Country News: Check out the independent news source’s new satellite office located in Kelley Hall.
  • Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory: Find a research assistantship at one of the premier biological research stations in the world.
  • Solar Energy International: Engage in the local, regional or global conversation about the renewable energy era.

Sustainable practices

Students work in Chipeta Garden where they focus on composting, gardening and hosting events, such as their annual farm-to-table event.

News & Research

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Prescribed Fire in Wilderness Research Team Honored by National USFS Award

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Women Move Mountains: Western Students Attend UN Conference in Aspen

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Danielson Honored with Antioch’s Horace Mann Award

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MEM student doing fieldwork

Conservation Grant Helps Fund Recreation Management Project

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Western Among Best Colleges that Offer Hands-on Learning Experiences

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Western Film Highlights Impact of Siberian Fires

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Reusable Solution to COVID-19 Disposable Container Problem

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Additional Resources

How It Works – MEM 3+2

Students apply to Western as traditional undergraduates and choose between one of seven undergraduate programs that are designed to prepare them for the Master in Environmental Management (MEM) while …

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Tuition & Aid

MEM 3+2 students have access to financial aid for four years, during which they also have access to program-specific aid. For the first three years, students in the program pay undergraduate tuition …

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Community Events

The Headwaters Conference Every fall, Western Colorado University hosts a gathering of scholars, writers, poets, journalists, public officials, community activists, social and natural scientists and …

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ENVS Network

The ENVS Network documents people, organizations, and projects involved with the School of ENVS. Each year, Master in Environment Management students complete a 600 hour project, connecting people and organizations worldwide.

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Center for Public Lands

The Center is a hub for cross-boundary land management work and study.

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Center for Cold-Climate Food Security

The School of ENVS seeks funding for the Center for Cold-Climate Food Security to amplify experiential educational opportunities around high-alpine and cold-climate food production, while addressing hunger in the Gunnison Valley.

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International Baccalaureate to MEM 2+2 Pathway

In this innovative pathway, International Baccalaureate students can combine their high school credits with their Western education to earn their bachelor’s degree and Master in Environmental Management in just four years.

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Dean

Micah Russell, M.S.

Assistant Professor of Environment and Sustainability, Integrative and Public Land Management Director; MEM Director

Program Facilitator

Lindsay Dolezal

Program Facilitator and Grants Administrator

Campus Location

1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81230

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