Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy M.S.HHH Administration
Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-3800; fax: 612-626-0002)
Email:
hhhadmit@umn.edu
Website: http://www.hhh.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The M.S. in science, technology, and environmental policy (STEP) provides students with an understanding of the role of science and technology in society, including food and agriculture, the economy, energy and the environment, security, health, and education; the impact of science and technology on the political and economic relationships within and among nations; and the analysis and design of policies for appropriate promotion and regulation of science and technology regionally, nationally, and internationally. The program educates students with natural and social science backgrounds to assume roles in public policy development.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. university or foreign equivalent at time of enrollment.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
A grade of B or better in introductory microeconomics is required. At least one course in political science (that analyzes political institutions) is strongly recommended. At least one semester of calculus is required. A degree or advanced-level coursework in the natural or engineering sciences is expected. Students who have not taken introductory statistics prior to admission must take PA 5031, above the 36 credits required for the degree.
Competence in MS Excel and Word is strongly recommended.
Special Application Requirements:
A complete application will include a University of Minnesota application, personal statement, resume or C.V., transcripts, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (if applicable), at least three letters of recommendation, and an optional diversity statement.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires
20
major credits,
6
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires
30
major credits and
6
credits outside the major.
The final exam is oral.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 1 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
Students should take 6 credits to complement their previous training: appropriate courses in natural or engineering science or its history or philosophy for those with social science backgrounds; appropriate courses in the social sciences for those with natural or engineering science backgrounds.
Elective credits are chosen in consultation with the student's adviser.
Students who have not taken prior coursework in statistics must demonstrate to their advisers that they have adequate preparation in statistics or must take Empirical Analysis I (PA 5031). PA 5031 does not count toward fulfilling the 36-credit minimum requirement.
Required Core Courses
PA 5012 - The Politics of Public Affairs
(3.0 cr)
PA 5021 - Microeconomics for Policy Analysis
(3.0 cr)
PA 5002 - Introduction to Policy Analysis
(1.5 cr)
PA 5711 - Science, Technology & Environmental Policy
(3.0 cr)
PA 5722 - Economics of Environmental Policy
(3.0 cr)
PA 5715 - Deliberating Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy
(1.5 cr)
At least one of the following:
PA 5723 - Water Policy
(3.0 cr)
or
PA 5721 - Energy Systems and Policy
(3.0 cr)
or
PA 5731 - Emerging Sciences and Technologies: Policy, Ethics and Law
(3.0 cr)
or
PA 5741 - Risk, Resilience and Decision Making
(1.5 cr)
or
PA 5751 - Addressing Climate and Energy Challenges at the Local Scale
(3.0 cr)
Methods Courses
Plan B Paper or Plan A Thesis
Electives
Electives to bring total credits to at least 40.
Joint- or Dual-degree Coursework:
Joint Degree Program in Law, Health, and the Life Sciences (M.S.-S.T.E.P./J.D.)
Students may take a total of 24 credits in common
among the academic programs.
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 1.5] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PA 5723/WRS 5101 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |