Climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events pose crucial challenges for science and society.

The Climate and Society MPS track emphasizes the relationship among weather, climate, and societal impacts and responses, including risk management, legal frameworks, the development of more resilient urban systems, and the built environment. The track draws on the University of Miami’s depth and breadth of interdisciplinary research, offering opportunities to partner with the Climate Resilience Academy, the Miller School of Medicine, the Department of Geography, the College of Engineering, and the Schools of Law and Architecture, among others. Graduates find employment in government, insurance and finance, energy, and other weather-impacted industries..

Prerequisites:

Bachelor’s degree in any field; previous coursework in science or policy strongly recommended

Course topics:

Climate change, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), climate change and public health, environmental planning, law and policy

Example job titles:

• Physical scientist
• Resilience Coordinator
• Environmental Consultant
• Climate Risk Analyst

• Why this track is important?

  The Climate Crisis touches nearly every aspect of modern life. Enormous opportunities are emerging to tackle this problem from different angles. This could be helping communities address climate-related hazards and risks, mitigating future climate change through innovations in energy production and managing the levels of greenhouse gases, or contributing to a more just approach to the transition to a safer climate. Major investments are happening in diverse climate-related fields from local to international levels, across the public and private sector and in civil society. There is a blossoming of opportunities for careers in climate analytics, resilience, policy, finance, and far beyond. This track will provide you with skills to contribute to the growing climate workforce, and expose you to opportunities across many sectors.

• Why Miami?

  Miami is on the front lines of the climate challenge from the Everglades to Miami Beach. It is a living lab for building the skills to address the climate crisis. It is a place where governments, the private sector, and civil society are working together to build responses. There are many opportunities to apply what you learn in the classroom through professional internships and careers. The University of Miami is putting climate front and center with the development of the Climate Resilience Academy. You will have the potential to interact with diverse relevant schools and programs – including the schools of business, geography, architecture, medicine, and the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy – all actively working on climate with student opportunities.

• What can students do with this degree?

  A master’s degree in climate science is critical to contributing to solving this problem in a meaningful way. There is a growing job market in climate resilience, climate response, and applied analysis. This includes opportunities in the private sector (including consulting, startups, insurance, and finance), local and federal government agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, and community organizations.

• What makes this track unique?

  In this program you will receive training in a full range of topics to develop skills needed for careers bridging climate science and policy. These skills have applicability across diverse fields such as climate adaptation and mitigation, carbon removal, and solar radiation management. You will learn about climate science, including weather and climate, the carbon cycle, as well as atmospheric dynamics and chemistry. You will also study climate responses, such as carbon removal, and solar radiation management. Finally, you will gain expertise in climate policy and decision-making, from climate communications to climate justice. These interdisciplinary topics draw on a depth of expertise at the Rosenstiel School, and also touch all three campuses of the University of Miami.

*  or Elective

¹  Can be taken in Fall or Spring

²  Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits required during a student's time in MPS. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by MPS Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically 2 semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of MPS.

Elective Options

Students may request elective courses with the consent of their Academic Advisor. Refer to the course schedules for a list of classes available on the Rosenstiel School campus. The course offerings may vary from semester to semester. For more details, visit the UM Academic Bulletin.