• Join an upcoming information session or watch a recording of a past session.
• Review the application process and eligibility requirements.
• Explore the MS-ESP curriculum.
• Request more information about the MS-ESP. 
• Inquire about a campus visit.  

Yes, the MS-ESP is STEM-designated.

No, work experience is not required.

The program welcomes both recent graduates and early-career professionals who are passionate about solving environmental and sustainability challenges through public policy.

The MS-ESP’s accelerated 12-month format makes it possible to earn 2 degrees in just 5 years. Whether you’re continuing directly from undergraduate study or bringing professional experience, you’ll join a collaborative cohort united by a shared commitment to evidence-based environmental policy.

Passion for sustainability and impact, analytical curiosity, and a drive to lead in private industry, government, or nonprofit contexts.

No. Students from varied disciplines are welcome. What matters is demonstrated interest in sustainability and readiness to gain a policy and communication toolkit to apply across sectors.

The MS-ESP provides rigorous training in economics, law, and policy analysis with a focus on environmental and sustainability applications. 

Focused on helping students address today’s complex challenges in corporate sustainability, energy strategy, resource management, and public-sector decision making, students learn from world-renowned faculty at our Ithaca campus—a global hub for research and engagement in these areas.

• Cornell’s Sustainability Ecosystem
  Students benefit from Cornell’s university-wide commitment to sustainability, with opportunities to engage with researchers and collaborators through leading organizations such as the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
• A Living Laboratory for Environmental Policy
  Located in Ithaca, New York, students connect classroom learning with real-world sustainability initiatives, community partnerships, and an outdoor environment that offers direct access to forests, gorges, waterfalls, lakes, and state parks. The region’s natural resources and commitment to sustainability create an ideal setting for studying environmental policy in action.
• Preparing You for Your First Job—and Your Last
  Just as importantly, the program prepares graduates for long-term career success. At the Brooks School, we believe in preparing students for both their first job and their last job. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, applied learning, and a strong professional network, students develop the adaptable skills needed to navigate new policy settings, emerging analytical tools, and evolving environmental challenges throughout their careers.

Course Load:
Summer Session (June-August): 6 credits
Fall Semester (August-December): 16 credits
Winter Session (January):  3 credits
Spring Semester (January-May): 16 credits
Total: 41 Credits

Topical Areas:

• Environmental law, regulation, and ethics
• Policy communication for sustainability
• Statistics and data analysis for public policy
• Environmental economics and international policy 
• Environmental justice and equity 
• Political analysis and governance 
• Managing and leading organizations
  

Explore the full MS-ESP curriculum and degree requirements here.

No, the MS-ESP is a fully residential program at Cornell University’s main campus in Ithaca, NY.

The MS-ESP is a 12-month degree program. Students start in June and graduate the following May.

No. The MS-ESP is an accelerated 12-month program designed to maximize learning within a single calendar year, including coursework during the summer and winter terms, so it does not include a summer internship.

Students gain hands-on experience through the Brooks Engaged Learning Capstone, collaborating with an external partner organization to address a real-world environmental or sustainability policy challenge. Combined with applied coursework and close faculty mentorship, the capstone gives students the opportunity to apply their skills to real policy challenges before graduation.

You can learn more about the MS-ESP cost of attendance here.

Yes, merit-based scholarships are available. Each application is considered for merit-based scholarships, which generally are awarded at the time of admission and noted in the admission letter. There is no separate application to complete to be considered for funding.

Students finance their degree using student loans, veterans education benefits, external fellowships, and more. The MS program offers merit-based scholarships that generally are awarded at the time of admission in the admission letter.

Financial aid in the form of loans can be applied for using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available exclusively to domestic/U.S. citizens. Find more information about graduate financial aid here.

Private education loans may be available to domestic students and international students not eligible for the FAFSA. Cornell University maintains “recommended private lender” lists to help students and their families identify reputable private lenders offering competitive interest rates, low or no fees, borrower-friendly repayment terms, and other benefits.

Yes, Cornell University’s International Services Office of Global Learning can assist international students with visa applications.

No, the GRE/GMAT is not required, nor considered.

Official transcripts are required after admission, but unofficial transcripts are used during application review.

All applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. There are 3 ways this may be done: 

• Submit Scores – Provide official IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT test scores that meet the Graduate School’s minimums. 
• Request a Standing Exemption within your application for admission. On the first page of the Application for Graduate Admission, you will attest that you meet one of the standing exemptions and provide documentation if required.
• Request a Special Exemption – In exceptional cases, applicants may ask for a special exemption. Guidelines and the request process are outlined below.

For more information about proof of English-language proficiency, visit the Graduate School’s Admissions website. 

You may submit an application with only self-reported scores, but applications will not be considered complete until official scores are received directly from ETS/IELTS. Incomplete applications are not reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee. 

For more information about proof of English-language proficiency, visit the Graduate School’s Admissions website.

We accept both academic and professional references. View our tips on how to submit letters of recommendation here. 

The online video interview is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you beyond your written application. There’s no studying required—the questions aren’t designed to test technical knowledge. Instead, they’re an opportunity to reflect on your goals, your interest in the program, and your readiness for graduate study.

For tips on what to expect, how to prepare, and how to approach the interview with confidence, read our blog, Mastering Your Video Interview: Tips for Applicants to the Brooks School’s Graduate Programs.

We strive to release decisions for complete applications as soon as a decision is ready—typically within several weeks of an application being marked complete in the application portal.

For questions or assistance needed with the application, please contact Brooks School Graduate Admissions at BrooksGradAdmissions@cornell.edu.