Ecology

Our master’s in ecology program offers a dynamic, immersive education that blends rigorous coursework with practical, real-world experience. Our 33-credit curriculum builds a strong foundation in ecological theory, research methods, and scientific communication, while offering you the flexibility to tailor your path based on your ecology career goals. 

You’ll engage in hands-on projects that tackle real-world ecological challenges and work closely with faculty, wildlife agencies, ranchers, and researchers to apply your knowledge in meaningful ways. Through these collaborative, field-based experiences, you’ll gain the skills, connections, and insights needed to drive positive impact in conservation, ecosystem management, and ecological science.  

Whether you choose a thesis-based track or the applied non-thesis option, a master’s in ecology will help you develop a strong professional portfolio, valuable field experience, and the tools to lead in today’s evolving environmental landscape. 

Ecology is the scientific study of how organisms interact with each other and their environments, often with a focus on natural systems, species relationships, and ecosystem function. Environmental science, while closely related, takes a broader, interdisciplinary approach that integrates biology, chemistry, policy, and social sciences to address human impacts on the planet. 

 If your interests lean more toward sustainability, environmental policy, or managing human-environment systems, you may want to explore our Master in Environmental Management (MEM) program. It’s designed for those who want to lead practical solutions to complex environmental challenges through applied research, planning, and leadership.  

Or if you’re feeling especially inspired by both ecology studies and environmental management, you can earn a dual degree in both. Contact our Clark School team for more information. 

Learn About the MEM

As scientists, we critically think about the natural world so that we can begin to understand the complexity of nature. The pursuit of this understanding should not be inhibited by one’s race, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, ethnicity, education, economic status, employment, nationality, background, and physical or mental ability.

The scientific discipline of Ecology should be accessible to all those who want to learn. For far too long, structural and societal inequalities have plagued our academic institutions and research programs, driving systemic barriers to inclusion within the ecological community. Not all those who desire to pursue ecology can do so because of these barriers. As scientists, we must be committed to removing systemic barriers to inclusion that prevent the full participation of historically under-represented people in our profession and society. Systemic racism and other prejudices weaken us as individuals and limit us as a community of scientists; therefore, we pledge to confront it with anti-discriminatory policies and progressive actions. We will do this through implementing DEIIJ actions in our program that are informed by the best available science on how to do this effectively, as well as a deep desire to treat each other with respect, equity and love.