Turn Your Passion for the Planet into a Rewarding Policy Career

November 3, 2025

Woman working in botanic garden surrounded by plants

The Cornell Brooks School’s 12-month Master of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Policy (ESP) prepares you to lead environmental change. This Ivy League degree blends rigorous training in law, economics, data, and environmental justice to shape tomorrow’s sustainability leaders.

Graduates of the ESP program step into roles in the private and public sectors that require a strong grounding in environmental policy in addition to the interdisciplinary skills fundamental to strategic policy analysis. Whether you’re developing a carbon accounting framework in green finance impact investing, serving as a supply-chain sustainability lead for a world-class manufacturing company, or working as a consultant to help firms reach their carbon goals, you’ll be equipped to lead. Brooks alumni pursue careers in the private sector, policy consulting, civic tech, government, international organizations, and more. Wherever opportunity exists to turn innovation and stakeholder engagement into measurable environmental impact, you’ll be prepared.

The program’s innovative and condensed degree timeline enables an intensive, intimate, and immersive academic experience as well as a swift re-entry into the workforce. Located at Cornell, a world leader in environmental and sustainability technology and systems, you’ll be surrounded by peers who share goals and passions. Beautiful Ithaca, New York, situated in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine country region, offers the comforts of a small, sophisticated city amidst inspiring natural surroundings.

As global change transforms industries and policy, organizations across sectors are hungry for professionals who can synthesize information, analyze situations, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. The Brooks School’s cutting-edge STEM-designated ESP can ensure that you’re uniquely prepared to meet the challenge. Whether advancing corporate sustainability goals or shaping public policies for resilience and equity, this degree is your chance to build the skillset of the future and accelerate your professional journey. Scholarship aid is available for qualified candidates.

MS-ESP Degree Highlights

Solving Real-World Problems Apply your training to a real-world environmental challenge through a hands-on capstone. Projects span local to global issues, from working farms, watershed governance, and conservation organizations in Cornell’s Finger Lakes region to climate resilience, energy transitions, and sustainability initiatives with international partners.
Courses Taught by Changemakers Learn from top scholars and practitioners in environmental law, economics, politics, justice, and communication. Our faculty and executives in residence bring firsthand experience from the private sector, government, advocacy, and international policy circles, helping you stay current and connected.
Elective Pathways Tailor your studies to align with your interests and career goals. Elective courses allow you to build additional depth in areas connected to climate, energy, food systems, sustainability policy, and other areas of impact.
Campus Sustainability Connections Benefit from Cornell’s university-wide commitment to sustainability, anchored by the Atkinson Center for Sustainability. This world-class hub brings together faculty, scientists, and global partners working on urgent challenges across climate, energy, food systems, and public health.