Master of Arts in Political Science, Specialization in Environmental Politics and Policy

at INTO Group - Colorado State University USA

The Geography major is housed in the Department of Anthropology and Geography. Through coursework and internship opportunities, majors are provided with a broad background in geographic thinking. The major emphasizes interactions between humans and the environment in an era of rapid global change. Critical study of diverse relationships between space, place, humans, built and natural environments allows students to interpret geographic features, patterns and processes.

The Geography curriculum also concentrates specifically on mountain ecosystems and human-environment interactions. Coursework takes advantage of faculty expertise in these areas of study, some of which are specific to the state of Colorado. Geography faculty use a wide range of research methods, including geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, spatial modeling, spatial statistics, participatory methods and ethnography to address applied research questions in Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, Patagonia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Melanesia, and Africa. Undergraduate majors can expect to gain knowledge of and/or participate in faculty research related to:

• Climate change implications for society and ecosystems
• Land-use and land-cover change
• Critical human geography
• Critical Health geographies
• Biogeography
• Livelihood systems
• Conservation
• Cultural geography
• Urban geography
• Economic geography
• Political/electoral geography
• Geography of virtual worlds

The Major in Restoration Ecology emphasizes interdisciplinary study, research, and restoration of damaged, degraded or destroyed rangelands and forested ecosystems of the world. More specifically, this major focuses on the restoration of rangelands and forests for multiple uses. These uses include both consumptive and non-consumptive activities such as recreation, preservation of wildlife habitat, providing for aesthetic beauty, livestock grazing, and timber production. Forests and rangelands occupy the vast majority of the earth’s land surface and Colorado is an ideal setting for the study of restoration ecology with many different types of rangeland and forest ecosystems in close proximity.

Students in this program will gain the important knowledge and skills necessary to restore damaged ecosystems. They will learn how to manipulate soil, water, vegetation and animal resources in order to implement successful restoration for local, state and federal land management agencies as well as for a variety of private entities, landowners and non-governmental agencies. Students develop an in-depth understanding of basic plant and animal biology; a basic understanding of the physical sciences as they relate to restoration ecology; knowledge of important concepts of ecology and natural resources management; an understanding of economics related to evaluating alternatives; and analytical and decision-making skills. Students also develop communication, political and interpersonal skills to make their education effective. Examples of career opportunities include, but are not limited to restoration ecologist, soil conservationist, plant ecologist, riparian ecologist, researcher, commercial sales and service representative, consultants, and mine reclamation specialist.

Passion. Innovation. Creative expression. When you major in Theatre at CSU, these words are much more than aspirations; you’ll live in them every single day. You’ll start with two foundational theatre years, then choose from three concentrations — Design and Technology, General Theatre, and Performance — where you’ll get to specialize in your interest areas and get deep experience to prepare you for your career.

Design and Technology - Concentration
Stage and laboratory are synonymous at CSU as students, supported by a faculty and staff of working professionals, learn to apply artistic approaches and industry practices in all areas of design and production.
Students take foundational courses in set design, costume design, lighting design, sound design, projection design, and stage management, exploring their ideas in the classroom as well as production on plays, musicals, operas, music events, and dance concerts.

This interdisciplinary and collaborative concentration is geared towards creative and imaginative, open-minded individuals with a drive for excellence. Many design and technology students work in multiple areas and most shows are designed and stage managed by undergraduate students from all disciplines, typically adding four shows to their portfolios each year. Design and Technology students have five world-class venues plus multiple labs and shops available for their use, including a design lab, CAD Lab, scene shop, paint shop, costume shop, sound/video editing lab, lighting lab, and acting labs.

Students who excel in the field of statistics typically have strong quantitative skills, analytical minds, and like to help people solve problems. CSU offers a small department with ample opportunities for internships. With the growing prevalence of big data and the focus on quantitative analysis, there are job opportunities for statisticians in virtually every field from science to medicine to entertainment to politics and beyond.
Statistics is the science of modeling, summarizing, and analyzing data. Statisticians help people produce trustworthy data, analyze the data, and present the results in a useful manner. Statisticians work with people from other professional backgrounds to solve practical problems. They provide crucial guidance in determining what information is reliable and which predictions can be trusted. An exciting aspect of the field is the diversity of areas where statistical methods are used; this is one reason for continuing strong demand for well-trained statisticians. With the popularity of big data and the focus on quantitative analysis in many fields, there will continue to be a high demand for graduates with a statistics major or minor. Students who succeed in the field of statistics typically have strong quantitative skills, analytical minds, and like to help other people solve problems.

With a degree in counseling and career development, you’ll be equipped for a career as a professional counselor to people of all ages. Develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to become an ethical and culturally responsive counselor who can enhance and advocate for the mental health, wellbeing, and life quality of all people.

You’ll complete a 60-credit course of study that includes core counseling curriculum (48 credit), a clinical practicum (100 hours), an internship (600 hours), and specialization-specific courses and electives.

This degree and all three specializations are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Upon graduation, you’ll be professional counseling licensure-eligible in the state of Colorado and eligible to become a National Certified Counselor.

When you major in Art (B.A.), you’ll take your passions to new levels of creativity and expression. You’ll start with a foundational year, where you’ll get exposure to every medium from drawing to metalsmithing to ceramics to digital art. In the B.A. program, you’ll become adept at studio arts, and can focus on history or integrated visual studies, which combines art coursework with coursework from another discipline.

Integrated Visual Studies - Concentration
The Integrated Visual Studies concentration is an ideal program for students to develop skills as makers and thinkers. By making work and interpreting images from visual art, photography, film, television, and commercial imagery, students learn to analyze visual communication from a variety of aesthetic, theoretical, scientific, economic, sociological and historical viewpoints. Students take a relatively equal ratio of studio and academic classes that foster critical awareness of how society is reflected and produced through visual means in the 21st century. The Integrated Visual Studies concentration gives students the flexibility to pursue interdisciplinary academic interests in combination with explorations of the conceptual and technical aspects of art making within a studio practice.

The Business major encourages critical thinking while exploring modern management theories, relevant business practices, and current industry trends. You’ll discover your interests along the way and begin to focus your studies based on your interests and talents. Then you can choose from 10 concentrations to merge your academic focus with your career goals.

Accounting - Concentration
Accounting is more than an asset on the balance sheet, or a dollar on the income statement. By studying accounting, you’ll learn how to run the numbers and file tax forms, but you’ll also develop the transformative skills to guide individuals and businesses, non-profits and government organizations toward stronger financial futures – playing a key role in their growth.

Successful accounting professionals translate financial data, craft compelling narratives and use their expertise to inform major business decisions, while predicting short- and long-term effects.

Graduate study in Sociology at CSU is designed to provide the qualified student with professional competence in sociological theory and research methods, and social change. The graduate program in Sociology at Colorado State University focuses on social change and our faculty members carry out applied and policy research nationally and internationally on the causes and consequences of social change on individuals, communities, and nations. Areas of current shared interest among faculty include environment and natural resources, agriculture and food, and social justice and governance.

Areas of Study

• Crime, Law, and Deviance
• Environment and Natural Resources
• Food, Agriculture, and Development
• Social Inequality, Social Justice, and Governance

The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship consists of foresters, range scientists, hydrologists, and social scientists that study natural environmental processes and how they interact with human systems.

Areas of Study

• Fire ecology and management
• Forest biometry
• Forest ecology
• Forest economics
• Forest ecosystem management
• Forest hydrology and water quality
• Forest restoration
• Natural resource policy
• Quantitative analysis of natural resources
• Silviculture
• Spatial landscape analysis
• Wood products

The Department of Anthropology and Geography houses a diverse faculty that includes cultural anthropologists, archaeologists, biological anthropologists, and geographers whose scholarship spans the breadth of human experience.

Areas of Study

• Archaeology
• Biological Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology
• Humans and the Environment
• International Development
• Professional Methods and Techniques
• The Anthropology of Health and Well-being