What we have to offer

The school provides educational opportunities for students at the doctoral level (PhD), graduate professional level (Master of Environmental Management and Master of Forestry), and undergraduate level.

Graduate Professional Degrees
Most students entering the Nicholas School seek graduate professional degrees, preparing for careers as expert environmental problem-solvers after two years of study. The Master of Environmental Management (MEM) degree trains students to understand the scientific basis of environmental problems, as well as the social, political and economic factors that determine effective policy options for their solution. The Master of Forestry (MF) degree develops experts in sustainable management of forested ecosystems. Students enrolling at the Nicholas School also have the opportunity to seek joint degrees with Duke's Fuqua School of Business (MBA), School of Law (JD), Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy (MPP), and the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT).

Doctoral Degrees
The traditional PhD, which is offered through the Duke Graduate School, provides the opportunity for students to pursue in-depth interest in a more narrowly focused field in preparation for a career in teaching and/or research. Doctoral students work with faculty in each of the Nicholas School's three divisions: Environmental Sciences and Policy, Earth and Ocean Sciences, and Marine Science and Conservation.

Undergraduate Degrees
The Nicholas School cooperates with Trinity College of Arts and Sciences in awarding four undergraduate degrees: BA in Environmental Sciences and Policy, the BS in Environmental Sciences, and the BA and BS in Earth and Ocean Sciences. Courses for the majors are taught by more than 60 Duke professors in 20 cooperating departments and schools. Undergraduate directors and advisory committees representing the various areas and cooperating departments administer the degrees.

Duke Marine Laboratory Academic Programs
The Duke University Marine Laboratory offers two full semester programs and two five-week summer sessions for undergraduate and graduate professional and research students.