Overview

Duke offers an international master’s degree in environmental policy at Duke Kunshan University. The 4-semester, 16-course International Master of Environmental Policy (iMEP) is designed to meet the growing global need for leaders versed in Chinese and international environmental issues and policies.

Objective

This program is the first in the world to draw together the important core requirements in environmental management and public policy. These include economics, political science, sociology, history, law, statistics and environmental science.

The impacts of these challenges are compounded by concerns about climate change and food security, and extend far beyond Asia’s shores. There is now unprecedented demand for policy analysts and environmental and business managers who understand the issues, can recognize global and local opportunities for addressing them, and help governments, businesses and nongovernmental organizations forge solutions.

Curriculum

Year 1 - Fall

  • Environmental Economics
  • Statistics and Program Evaluation for Environmental Policy
  • Environmental Policy Analysis
  • 1 Elective

Year 1 - Spring

  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Economics Policy Practicum
  • Environmental Policy Process
  • 1 Elective

Year 2 - Fall

  • Master's Project Capstone
  • Environmental Law, Governance and Regulation
  • 2 Electives

Year 2 - Spring

  • Master's Project Capstone
  • 3 Electives
  • Option to study abroad at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA

 

The City of Kunshan

Kunshan lies in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta Region, one of the most developed areas in China. Bordering Shanghai, a large international metropolis, to its east and Suzhou, one of the country’s most renowned cultural and historical cities, to its west, Kunshan is an emerging industrial and commercial city with a history dating back more than 2000 years.

Local residents have equal access to the best urban infrastructure and amenities, including large shopping malls, state-of-the-art cultural and sport facilities, open cultural and natural parks, and public transportation. Rapid advancement in rail traffic has brought Kunshan people much closer to its surrounding areas.

Kunshan has won many titles, including the top of Chinese Mainland’s Best County-level Cities by Forbes China for seven consecutive years and the 2010 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award. The DKU Art Project attracts artists from China and abroad who are interested in displaying their work within the liberal arts environment of DKU. Residents enjoy and preserve its rich cultural and historical resources. Kunqu Opera is now listed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. 

Quick Links

How to Apply

Applicants to Duke Kunshan’s graduate programs must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Application Checklist

In addition to the prerequisite bachelor’s degree, the following are required:

  1. Online application form
  2. Resume / CV
  3. Statement of Purpose (500 - 1,000 words). As part of your online application, you must upload a Statement of Purpose. The statement should be one to two pages and single-spaced. It should briefly discuss:
    • Your purposes and objectives in pursuing graduate study;
    • Your special interests and plans;
    • Your strengths and weaknesses in your chosen field;
    • Any research projects or any independent research in which you have actively participated and how they have influenced your career choice and desire to pursue graduate studies; and
    • Any particular reasons you may have for applying to Duke Kunshan University (e.g., you would like to work with a specific faculty member).
  4. Letters of Recommendation
    • At least two letters of recommendation (two academic references and one professional preferred)
  5. Transcript
    • Transcript from each post-secondary institution attended is required (an uploaded unofficial transcript with degree posted and other transcripts for all colleges and universities attended).
  6. Official GRE score or GRE equivalent (please contact recruiter at iMEP@dukunshan.edu.cn for requirements)
    • GRE scores: Ask Educational Testing Service to send an official copy of the scores to Duke Kunshan University, using institution code 7554. You do not need a department code. If ETS requires a department code, select any one of the department codes listed. Regardless of the department code entered, the scores will come to Duke Kunshan University as long as you use institution code 7554. Be sure to alert us if the name on your application is different from the name on your score report.
  7. Official TOEFL score (minimum score of 90 required) or IELTS score (minimum score of 7.0 required)*
    • TOEFL: Ask Educational Testing Service to send an official copy of the scores to Duke Kunshan University, using institution code B624. You do not need a department code. If ETS requires a department code, select any one of the department codes listed. Regardless of the department code entered, the scores will come to Duke Kunshan University as long as you use institution code B624.
    • IELTS: Please email iMEP@dukekunshan.edu.cn for mailing address. The IELTS is administered by Cambridge ESOL, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia. See www.ielts.org for more information.

*The program’s language of instruction is English, and written and spoken English proficiency is required. Students who are not native English speakers must provide language evaluation test scores with their application materials.

Prerequisites

We recommend students complete both basic statistics and microeconomics courses prior to enrollment.