N-DEL-MEM - Master of Environmental Management - Environmental Leadership

The DEL-MEM combines distance-learning courses and short, intensive place-based sessions. The five required place-based sessions give participants an opportunity to experience the campus environment, meet fellow MEM students, interact directly with faculty, and participate in leadership development activities. Including orientation, students are required to come to the Duke campus four times during their studies. They also participate in the hallmark DC Leadership Module in which students convene in Washington, DC, and meet with prominent environmental leaders in all sectors. Between campus visits, and to complement the face-to-face sessions, students complete individual and group coursework online through synchronous sessions and asynchronous discussions.

Prerequisites. Five years of professional environmentally-related experience is a prerequisite for the program. No specific courses are required to apply.

Major (Core) Courses. Core courses are offered in ecosystems science and management, economics of environmental management, environmental law and policy, leadership, and program management for environmental professionals. Other required components include: five place-based intensive sessions (varying from three to six days), a professional writing skills course for first-year students, and a master’s project.

Elective Courses. Elective courses, developed around more specialized themes, are offered in the spring semesters and alternate each year. Independent studies and projects and one-credit intensive short courses may also be taken.

Master’s Project. A master’s project constituting 4-6 course credits is required. These projects take the form of individual or small- group analysis of a problem in natural resource management, offering alternative solutions for better management of the environment. A project related to the student’s current employment is recommended, but not required. The results of the master’s project are presented orally on campus and in a written document that is approved by the student’s advisor before graduation.

For more details on curriculum requirements, see nicholas.duke.edu/academics/masters-programs/duke-environmental-leadership-master-environmental-management.