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Training the next generation of environmental leaders
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The Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management

affiliated with the UC Davis Institute of the Environment, provides advanced training in applying environmental science to real-world environmental policy and management issues. The program leverages the position of UC Davis as among the world’s strongest campuses in environmental and natural resources research and science.

The EPM program sets itself apart by targeting students with interdisciplinary backgrounds who seek applied professional careers in environmental policy and management. The focus is on building quantitative skills for practice-oriented careers in environmental policy and management.
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About us

The EPM program is designed to address needs in several areas:

  • Students and employers often ask for better and more formal preparation to bridge the differences between scientific academic background and policy and management work, with emphasis on communicating technical information in various management and policy contexts.
  • Increased attention is being placed on the co-development of science for policy and management. Doing so requires training individuals with the interdisciplinary skills to understand both communities.
  • Environmental problem solving increasingly requires more analytical capability within a political and economic decision-making framework.
  • Real and rigorous problem-solving skills involving analysis, communication, and negotiation are needed for students with scientific backgrounds involved in policy-making and management positions.

 

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EPM News

Five smiling people standing in front of a branded event backdrop outdoors

Making Waves in San Diego: Students' Trip to CalCOFI Conference

  • by Erin Gustafson, Julia Jamison, Nicole Naylor, and Sam Stromberg
Towards the end of May, our UC Davis Environmental Policy and Management policy clinic group, in collaboration with California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigation (CalCOFI) and California Sea Grant, traveled to San Diego, CA. We headed to the 2026 CalCOFI Conference on ‘A Decade of Remarkable Change: Heatwaves, HABs, Hypoxia, and Other Ocean Changes off the California Coast.’ This trip allowed us to share the culmination of our research on practical recommendations for marine climate resilience and refugia in California. We heard and discussed the intense impacts of climate change on California’s marine ecosystems, showcasing the need for policy and management action. We engaged with researchers working towards goals aligned with our recommendations, further inspiring us to continue protecting California’s waters.
Five people in formal attire standing on U.S. Capitol steps beneath blue sky. Left to right: Eloise Dresser, Alexandra (Lexi) Yokomizo, Stephanie Nava-Angeles, Eric Kregel

From Research to Advocacy: EPM Students' Journey to DC

  • by Eloise Dresser, Eric Kregel, Stephanie Nava-Angeles, and Alexandra (Lexi) Yokomizo.
In April 2026, we - a group of UC Davis students from the Environmental Policy and Management (EPM) Graduate Group, in partnership with American Rivers, headed to Washington, D.C.. This trip was the culmination of six months of research, with the intention to share our findings with congressional staff during “Water Week” - a week dedicated to water policy advocacy in D.C.
Classroom with young students at desks, EPM Student, Shivam, presenting a slide in an orange button.

In the Wild: Shivam Gandhi in El Dorado County with SacBreathe

  • by Nicole Naylor
Shivam’s Practicum at SacBreathe was to assist with launching SB 1383 compliance at Schools in El Dorado County, which classify as a tier 2 edible food waste generator. He also helped long-term resilience towards organics recycling in the region by developing educational materials for students to learn more about the law and launched classroom and schoolwide presentations to educate involved parties about their role in organic waste diversion.

Be close to the action.

California stands at the forefront of environmental policy with its pioneering initiatives in areas such as renewable energy, emissions reductions, and conservation efforts. Located just 20-minutes from California's capital, UC Davis provides students with unique opportunities to engage in cutting-edge environmental work. 

EPM orientation photo of two students talking.

Bringing hands-on education into the classroom

Students will apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world environmental policy and management problems in the Policy Clinic and Practicum.

Explore the degree
EPm alums Cheryl and Nick representing their organization at EPM's Job Fair

Cultivating a community of environmental leaders

Engage with alumni and members of our External Advisory Committee actively working on unique environmental challenges through EPM's mentorship program and networking events.

Learn about Mentorship
JieQi Yan talking with a student, pointing to a poster board with details of her completed project.

Leveraging the interdisciplinary nature of UC Davis

Students are able to choose from a wide array of electives from outside our graduate group to specialize in a topical area of interest- from environmental justice to water resources management.

Browse Electives