Public Policy & Energy Resources Group
Energy and Resources Group (ERG) and the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) offer a concurrent degree program that integrates the strengths of public policy analytical tools with the interdisciplinary knowledge and expertise in energy and resources. The intersection of ERG and Public Policy disciplines is the nexus for training the next generation of leaders who will solve the world‘s most complex and challenging energy and environmental problems. The program stresses analytic, quantitative, methodological, theoretical, and practical approaches to problems in energy, environmental science, and policy.
Students complete both degrees in 3 years by taking key core courses offered by both units (GSPP and ERG) and meeting the academic requirements for both degrees. The course requirements provide for a substantive introduction to the disciplinary approaches that are employed in studying energy and resource issues and public policy analysis. The curriculum provides an opportunity — through a topical cluster, ERG Master’s Project and a Public Policy Capstone Project set of requirement — to extend and deepen the areas of analysis, investigation and understanding so as to satisfy the intellectual interests of each student.
Career Opportunities
The program is intended to prepare students for superior and versatile career opportunities in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, both nationally and internationally. Graduates will go on to become national and global leaders in domestic and international government agencies (at all levels—federal, state and local), private sector companies, non-profit groups, think tanks, research organizations, and community-based organizations.
Program Requirements
The objective of this program is to permit students to obtain in six semesters both the MPP and MA or MS ERG degree, which would normally require eight semesters of coursework. Students are required to complete a Public Policy summer internship after their first year of courses.
- One year of course work at GSPP. Complete GSPP core course requirements and take additional ERG courses.
- One year of course work at ERG. Complete ERG core and cluster requirements and take additional GSPP courses.
- Final year, complete Capstone Project – the Advanced Policy Analysis Project and all other requirements needed to complete both degrees.
- A 10-week full-time summer internship.
For specific curriculum information, visit: MPP-ERG Concurrent Degree Program Requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants chosen for the MPP-ERG Concurrent Degree Program must be admitted to each school separately. Each program will apply the same admissions requirements as used for students not seeking the concurrent degree. It is possible that only one unit will admit a student, and it will be up to the student to accept or decline admission to one side only.
Students must follow the following admissions guidelines to be considered for the MPP-ERG concurrent degree. Students must:
- Apply to the concurrent program from the outset, which requires their application to be reviewed by both programs; OR
- Apply and matriculate at either ERG or GSPP and then, while a first-semester graduate student apply to the other unit to become a concurrent degree student. If a student does not apply in their first semester of their enrollment in the MPP or ERG Master’s program, they are not eligible to apply at a later date.
Upon successful completion of requirements for both degrees, concurrent degree students will be awarded the MPP and an MA or MS in ERG (based on course emphasis). This intensive course of study is completed in three academic years including completion of a 10 week full-time summer internship after the first year of study. Students will be required to meet with faculty advisors from both programs in order to ensure successful completion of degree requirements for both degrees.
If you have questions about the program curriculum and admission requirements, please please contact Candace Grostreutz at (510) 642-8859 or erggrad@berkeley.edu. For questions about Public Policy, please contact Lezley Hightower at lhightower@berkeley.edu or (510) 642-7888 or Jalilah LaBrie at jalilah@berkeley.edu or (510) 642-1940.