Joint-Master’s-Degree Programs

The School of the Environment supports several curricula that work concurrently toward two degrees from different academic units of Yale University. Opportunities for development of joint-degree programs exist with the School of Architecture, Divinity School, Law School, School of Management, School of Public Health, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Jackson School of Global Affairs, the International and Development Economics program of the Graduate School’s Department of Economics, and three programs offered by the Graduate School and coordinated through the MacMillan Center (African Studies, East Asian Studies, and European and Russian Studies). Joint-degree programs with Pace Law School and Vermont Law School constitute additional options. Applicants are urged to apply to both units at the same time. All of these programs are subject to the following general guidelines.

Applicants must apply to, and be accepted by, both units of the university according to normal admissions procedures. A minimum of one and one-half years (three full-time terms) and 36 credits is required at the School of the Environment. While the joint-program requirements vary in length (see below), it is recommended that students spend a complete academic year (two terms) at one school, the following academic year at the other school, and then split the remaining terms between the two schools.

Upon successful completion of the formal joint-degree program, the student will be awarded one of the four YSE master’s degrees, together with the joint degree. The joint-degree programs, sponsoring Yale academic units, and associated residency requirements (which are in addition to the three-term requirement of YSE) are as follows:

  1. School of Architecture: Master of Architecture I (five terms); Master of Architecture II (three terms).
  2. Divinity School: Master of Arts in Religion (three terms); Master of Divinity (five terms).
  3. Schools of law (Yale Law School, Pace Law School, and Vermont Law School): Juris Doctor (five terms).
  4. School of Management: Master of Business Administration (three terms).
  5. School of Public Health: Master of Public Health (three terms).
  6. School of Engineering & Applied Science (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences): Master of Science (two terms).
  7. Jackson School of Global Affairs: Master of Arts (three terms).
  8. Department of Economics, International Development and Economics program (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences): Master of Arts (two to three terms).
  9. African Studies (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences): Master of Arts (three terms).
  10. East Asian Studies (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences): Master of Arts (three terms).
  11. European and Russian Studies (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences): Master of Arts (three terms).

To view specific requirements for each joint-degree program, visit https://environment.yale.edu/academics/masters/joint-degrees. For additional questions about these joint-degree programs, please contact the YSE Office of Admissions at info.yse@yale.edu or 800.825.0330.

Joint-Degree Program with Tsinghua University

YSE offers a three-year joint-degree program with Tsinghua University School of Environment in China. This program consists of one and one-half years (three terms) at Tsinghua working toward a Master of Environmental Engineering and one and one-half years (three terms) at Yale working toward a Master of Environmental Management, Master of Environmental Science, Master of Forestry, or Master of Forest Science. Students who begin their program at YSE will spend one year (two terms) at YSE, followed by one and one-half years (three terms) at Tsinghua, and then conclude their program with one-half year (one term) at YSE. Students who begin their program at Tsinghua will spend one year (two terms) at Tsinghua, one and one-half years (three terms) at YSE, and then conclude their program with one-half year (one term) at Tsinghua.

Applicants must apply to, and be accepted by, both YSE and Tsinghua University under normal admissions procedures. For questions about this joint-degree program, please contact the YSE Office of Admissions at info.yse@yale.edu or 800.825.0330.