We offer students the opportunity of earning a combined (also joint) or dual degree with a number of other departments and schools at Tufts, and with Boston College Law School. A combined degree consists of one master's degree awarded by two graduate departments when a student meets the core master's requirements of both departments. Combined and dual degrees are available only to students in the M.A. program. Departments participating in combined (joint) degree programs with UEP are:
A dual degree consists of two master's degrees awarded for work done in distinct disciplines by two schools of Tufts University, or Boston College Law School. UEP has dual degree programs with:
Students electing a combined (joint) degree option must be accepted by both departments and are expected to meet the requirements set by each program. A student may submit one application to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for the combined degree option. Students wishing to pursue a dual degree must submit a separate application for each school and check off the dual degree option.
Application procedures for each combined and dual degree program are detailed below.
The joint master's degree in UEP/biology responds to the need for biological literacy by professionals working in policy areas such as natural resources or environmental health. The program is designed for individuals who are interested in understanding the science side of policy and planning, as well as the implementation of policy (e.g., regulations), the formulation of policy (e.g., legislation), the impacts of policies (e.g., impact assessment) and accounting for biological aspects of land-use issues (e.g., working with governmental and non-governmental conservation and planning organizations). Students have the choice of receiving the M.A. or M.S. degree if at least one of the cooperating departments offers an M.S. degree.
Entrance Requirements
Students wishing to apply to the joint UEP/Biology master's degree must first be admitted to UEP. Entrance to the UEP/Biology joint- degree program is not available directly from outside the university. Normally, students apply to the program when they have demonstrated that they can handle quality work in the biology department's courses, and have developed a thesis proposal that includes a biological theme.
There is a natural linkage between economics and public policy and planning. Public policy issues have inspired some of the classic studies in economics. Also the tools of economic analysis can be applied to a wide variety of policy and planning questions. The joint M.A. degree in UEP/economics offers students an opportunity to explore these longstanding linkages and to develop skills in policy analysis and planning using economic analysis.
Entrance Requirements
Candidates should apply to UEP and state their desire and rationale to pursue the joint degree. If approved for admission to UEP, the application is forwarded to the Department of Economics for joint degree consideration. Economics will notify UEP of its admission or rejection of that candidate for the joint program. The candidate's admission to UEP is not affected by the decision of the Department of Economics.
The joint M.A. degree in Child Development/UEP is designed for individuals interested in child and family program development, program evaluation, public and private agency administration and planning, child and family policy-oriented research, advocacy, and community organizing around child and family issues.
Entrance Requirements and Admission
Students must be accepted into both departments in order to enter the joint-degree program. To facilitate the review process, however, a single application can be submitted to UEP, which should be clearly marked "joint UEP/CD program." The application will then be sent to Child Development and reviewed concurrently by each department according to its own review process. The candidate's admission to UEP is not affected by the decision of the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development.
Students may pursue either a joint degree or a dual-degree program with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) in the School of Engineering. Both programs respond to the need for environmental professionals who are skilled in both an engineering or public health, and policy perspective in the analysis, planning, and implementation of environmental activities. The programs combine policy analysis skills with training in various civil engineering sub- disciplines. Students in the joint-degree program receive an M.S. degree, while the dual-degree program awards both an M.A. and an M.S. degree. The joint degree requires 12 course credits, an internship plus a thesis, while the dual degree requires 17 course credits, an internship plus a thesis and can be completed in five semesters. The following programs within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering may be joined with the UEP degree:
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Health
- Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
Entrance Requirements and Admission
Students must be accepted into both departments in order to enter the joint- or dual-degree program in UEP/CEE. To facilitate the review process, however, a single application can be submitted, which should be clearly marked "joint (or dual)" UEP/CEE program. The application will then be reviewed concurrently by each department according to its own review process. The candidate's admission to UEP is not affected by the decision of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The Fletcher School offers a broad program of professional education in international affairs. Its curriculum covers international law and organization, diplomatic history and international political relations, international economic relations, and international political institutions and systems. UEP and the Fletcher School offer a dual-degree program focusing on international environmental policy. This program provides an opportunity for a select number of highly qualified students to earn both a Master of Arts (M.A.) in urban and environmental policy and planning and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (M.A.L.D.) at the Fletcher School in three years. Each degree normally requires two years. The dual-degree program responds to growing student and professional demand for graduate education in international environmental policy. It is designed to prepare students for careers in economic and development institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations concerned with international problems affecting the physical environment such as acid rain, global warming, offshore oil drilling, soil erosion, deforestation, biodiversity, waterways pollution, and chemical contamination.
Entrance Requirements and Admission
Interested students must submit separate applications to each program indicating a preference for the dual degree. Each school reviews candidates based on its own requirements and criteria. The candidate's admission to UEP is not affected by the decision of the Fletcher School. For detailed information on the requirements for the Fletcher M.A.L.D., please contact the Fletcher School, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155.
Students can obtain a dual master's degree with UEP and the Agriculture, Food and Environment (AFE) Program of the School of Nutrition Science and Policy. The dual degree is aimed at students who have a particular interest in the connection between food production and supply and themes such as sustainable agriculture, and pesticide use. Students pursuing this program will deepen their knowledge of policy analysis and planning while studying the relationship of food systems to community development and public health. By combining the two programs, the dual degree can be completed in three, instead of four years. Students receive both an M.A. in urban and environmental policy and planning and an M.S. in agriculture, food and environment. The Tufts Food System Planning Coalition is collaboration between UEP and Friedman students to discuss, promote, and take action on food systems issues at Tufts and in the broader community. Find out more about them here:
www.go.tufts.edu/foodplanning
Entrance Requirements and Admission
Interested students must submit separate applications to each program indicating a preference for the dual degree. Each school reviews candidates based on its own requirements and criteria. The candidate's admission to UEP is not affected by the decision of the School of Nutrition. For detailed information on the requirements for the M.S. in Agriculture, Food and Environment, contact: The Gerald J. & Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155.
This program is for students interested in exploring the connections between law and urban and environmental policy and planning. Students receive two degrees—a Master of Arts and a Juris Doctor (M.A./J.D.). The dual degree program recognizes that the fields of law and planning are inexorably linked. Planning (including policy analysis) is a process of guiding future development patterns; the law frames the mechanisms and limits of governments’ control over this process. Planning and law immerse students in broad debates and critical thinking about the environment, human settlements, social and environmental justice, corporate responsibility, and land use, each guided by constitutional, equitable and pragmatic principles. Find out more here:
Boston College Law School Dual Degree Information
The M.A./J.D. is offered through a collaboration between the Tufts University Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning (UEP) and the Boston College Law School. There is currently no graduate program in New England which offers the combined strengths of this program.
Upon acceptance to the dual degree program, students will be required to meet with the program coordinator and the respective academic advisors from both Schools to plan an overall course of study that matches the student’s background, interests, and requirements of the program. Advisors at both Schools will collaborate, under the auspices of an advisory committee, to ensure that students receive accurate and timely information about how they are to proceed through the dual degree program. Students will be eligible for financial assistance based on current policies at each University.
Students fulfill the requirements of each program, but may transfer credits toward each degree such that they may concentrate their studies in four years (as opposed to five, which would be typical if a student was pursing each degree separately.
Entrance Requirements and Admission
Interested students must submit separate applications to each program indicating a preference for the dual degree. Each school reviews candidates based on its own requirements and criteria. The candidate's admission to UEP is not affected by the decision of the Boston College Law School. For detailed information on the requirements for the J.D., please contact the Boston College Law School, Newton, MA 02459
http://www.bc.edu/schools/law/home.html