On-Campus Programs
Master of Environmental Management (MEM) and Master of Forestry (MF)
This section outlines instructions for applying to the on-campus Master of Environmental Management (MEM) and Master of Forestry (MF) degree programs.
In addition to the information below, we strongly encourage applicants to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) video series.
MEM & MF Admissions Requirements
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements for future admissions terms are subject to change. Applicants are subject to the stated admissions requirements for the term in which an applicant is applying for consideration.
General Requirements
- Applicants to the Nicholas School’s professional master’s degree programs must hold the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree from an accredited institution prior to matriculation at the Nicholas School. Applicants whose undergraduate programs are three years in length typically must complete a fourth year of study to be considered for admission.
- We also expect that applicants will have some previous training (via coursework or experience) in the natural and/or social sciences related to your area of interest.
- Students join our programs from a range of academic and experiential backgrounds. We have a balanced mix of students who join us directly after undergrad and those who join us later. In our incoming class each year, we usually have 40+ areas of undergraduate study represented. Some have directly relatable research, work, internship and/or volunteer experiences, while others bring transferable skills from other areas of interest and professions. Our holistic review takes into account all that you share on your application—from your coursework to your statement of purposes to your resume—as we complete our admissions evaluation.
PREREQUISITE RECOMMENDATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
CourseWORK PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS
- All areas of study within the Master of Environmental Management and the Master of Forestry require at least one college-level semester each of calculus and statistics.
- Depending on your areas of study within the MEM or MF degree, additional courses may be required or recommended.
If you are missing prerequisites:
- You may still apply for and be offered admission if you are missing one or more prerequisite courses; however, students may not matriculate with more than one required prerequisite deficiency.
- We strongly urge all students to complete ALL prerequisite coursework prior to the start of either the MEM or MF program(s). An initial review of prerequisite coursework is completed as part of the admissions application review. The NSOE Registrar determines the official prerequisite status for enrolling students in the spring prior to the fall term (e.g., students enrolling for the upcoming fall term will receive a prerequisite review in the preceding spring semester).
- Students who begin the program with one missing required prerequisite course must complete the requirement during the first year, preferably in the fall semester.
- For applicants to the MF program, it is expected that all prerequisite deficiencies will be completed prior to matriculating by means of formal coursework to assist in the successful and timely progression through the MF degree.
Applicants will be prompted to enter information for all prerequisites—for all areas of study—on the online application form. This is to facilitate a smoother transition for students who may wish to request an adjustment in their area(s) of study after beginning the program, and to facilitate students’ ability to take courses across the MEM curriculum that may fall outside those required by their area(s) of study. For example, a student may not be required to take a class on natural resource economics as part of their area(s) of study, but may wish to do so, and therefore will require microeconomics as a prerequisite for that class.
For program-specific requirements, guidance on meeting prerequisites and further details:
Experience Recommendations
One (1) or more years of post-baccalaureate experience is a plus. This includes military service and paid work experiences including internships, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America and other service work assignments. The Nicholas School values work experience as part of preparation for graduate study and often provides students with valuable teamwork experience, and a clearer idea of their goals for graduate study.
- For those interested in pursuing the Business & Environment (BE) concentration, competitive applicants to the BE concentration will have a minimum of one (1) year post-baccalaureate experience for admissions consideration. BE applicants without at least one (1) year post-baccalaureate experience must have significant undergraduate coursework in business, finance, accounting, and/or economics.
MEM & MF Application Materials
Letters of Recommendation
In the online application form, applicants will enter contact information for three individuals who can articulately write about their suitability for the program and graduate study. Your recommenders should be able to write about your leadership potential, problem solving skills, maturity, personal integrity, etc.
Applicants currently completing their undergraduate study should submit at least one academic recommendation. Recent graduates are encouraged to submit at least one academic recommendation. If you find yourself unable to find an academic recommender who can still speak to these characteristics, think about someone who knows you well enough to rate your strengths and who can thoughtfully articulate them for us. The person you choose to write your recommendation is your decision, though we would prefer to hear from employers and/or supervisors from a work/professional setting. Letters of recommendation from family members or friends are not recommended in most instances.
- Once this information is entered into the online application form, recommenders will receive an auto-generated email with instructions to complete their recommendation. Recommendation letters will not be accepted outside of the online portal.
- Applicants should notify their recommenders that letters are limited to one page in length.
- Recommenders may complete their recommendation prior to the application being submitted.
- The application may be submitted before all three recommendations are received, but the admission review cannot begin until all three recommendations are on file.
GPA & Transcripts
There is no undergraduate grade point average (GPA) minimum requirement to apply to the MEM or MF degree programs. Competitive applications often have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale). As part of our holistic application review process, each applicant’s GPA is considered as one of many factors and we understand that GPA is not the sole indicator of academic and professional potential.
If your GPA was significantly impacted by external factors (i.e., health issues, other personal reasons), you are welcome to expound in your application to the extent you feel comfortable.
Applicants will enter and upload transcripts for all colleges and universities attended via the online application form. All transcripts submitted through the online application are considered unofficial. Official transcripts are neither required nor requested until a student is admitted and enrolled.
- Applicants who received transfer coursework from an institution other than where they earned their degree must enter that institution’s information as a separate entry in the Academic History section of the online application form, and upload the corresponding transcript.
- Credit by exam via Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, CLEP or other means should be clearly notated on the transcript or other grade report, showing the department and class for which credit was awarded, along with the amount of credit.
- Students currently enrolled for the fall semester should upload their most current transcripts, including all courses in progress. The Admissions team will provide instructions on uploading fall/midyear grades as applicable.
- Transcripts for completed degrees should show both the name of the degree and the date the degree was awarded/conferred.
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International transcripts not converted on a 4.0 GPA scale require a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation completed by a NACES approved agency. When ordering your foreign credential evaluation, please be sure that your GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale and included in your agency evaluation.
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All transcripts must be in English. Transcripts not issued in English should be uploaded along with an English translation; the required course-by-course foreign credential evaluation can also be used as the English translation.
Statement of Purpose
Please share the key experiences that have contributed to your commitment to work on environmental issues. In addition, what are your academic and professional/career goals and how will enrollment at the Nicholas School of the Environment help you achieve them? Finally, why is earning a MEM and/or MF degree critical in helping you achieve your goals and how will your selected concentration(s) of focus support this goal? Strong essays will include specific examples that support your response and should go beyond what is already provided in your resume and transcript(s). Please limit your response to 2 pages.
COVID-19 Impact Statement (optional)
Our holistic review aims to understand both your achievements and the context in which they occurred. Should you feel additional information would be helpful for our review, you may upload an additional statement about your experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may include, but is not limited to, the ways your academic, professional and personal endeavors have been impacted.
Resume
Your resume should highlight your strengths, skills and accomplishments as accounted for in your personal, academic and professional experiences. Choose a format and length that you feel best conveys what you want the admissions committee to learn about you in these areas.
Essays
You are more than your transcripts and resumes. Share with us your list of '15 Random Things About You.' This is your opportunity to tell us anything that helps us to understand what makes you who you are. Present your response in list form from 1-15. The complete list should not exceed two pages and should not contain pictures.
Please read the Nicholas School’s mission statement and provide 3 ways that you will contribute as an individual to further that mission. Please limit your answer to 250-500 words.
GRE & Standardized Exams
The GRE requirement for fall 2024 admission consideration remains suspended. Applicants should not submit GRE scores, as GRE scores will not be reviewed as part of our admissions process.
Applications will continue to be reviewed holistically. During this time, the Nicholas School will also assess the continued need and value of requiring the GRE in future application cycles.
English Language Proficiency / TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo
If your native language is not English, you must submit an official score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam or the Duolingo English Test. This requirement is waived if you earned your undergraduate degree in the United States, earned an undergraduate or master's degree from an English-only speaking institution or have been working in the United States for two years or more. Please see the minimum language score required for admission consideration in each test section below.
TOEFL
- Official TOEFL scores should be reported to Duke University’s institution code 5156; there is no department code.
- Official TOEFL scores are matched to student records after the application is submitted. Please allow 3-5 business days for this process.
- TOEFL iBT minimum score = 100
IELTS
- A PDF of your IELTS score report should be uploaded in the "Supplemental Uploads" section of the application. Scores will be considered unofficial until Admissions staff verify your scores through the testing service.
- IELTS minimum overall band score = 7.0 (must receive a minimum of a 6.5 on each individual section)
DUOLINGO
- There is no institutional code for Duolingo, but applicants will need to select “Duke University Graduate Programs: Graduate School; Divinity; Engineering; Environment; Public Policy; Duke Kunshan” at the "Graduate" program type level as the institution to send scores to.
- Please Note: Make sure to include subscores when you select your institution. Score reports without subscores will not be accepted. If you are not sure how to include subscores in your score report, please contact Duolingo English Test support on the Duolingo English Test website.
- Duolingo minimum score = 125
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EVALUATIONS
Virtual Language Proficiency Interviews: Non-native English speakers, including those who qualify for an English language testing waiver, may be required to participate in a virtual interview to evaluate spoken English language ability. This interview is structured as a conversation with a member of our staff, and does not require formal preparation. Nicholas School staff will contact applicants via email if this is required. Notes from this session will be included alongside application materials, and reviewed by the Admissions and Awards Committee.
Non-native English speakers will participate in no cost, structured English language support tailored to their needs through instruction by the NSOE Communications Studio. This instruction is built around the coursework in which the students are enrolled.
FOREIGN TRANSCRIPT EVALUATIONS
All transcripts must be in English. Transcripts not issued in English should be uploaded along with an English translation and foreign credential evaluation. The foreign credit evaluation is required for all international transcripts not converted on a 4.0 GPA scale.
When ordering your foreign credential evaluation, please be sure that your GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale and included in your agency evaluation. Your credential evaluations must be done by a NACES approved agency.
Help with English Language Test Scores
Official TOEFL and Duolingo scores are matched to records 3-5 business days after the application is submitted. Before submitting the application, even if TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are already on file, your application status page will indicate that your test score reports have not been received. After the application is submitted, an automated score retrieval process matches TOEFL and Duolingo scores to your application record.
If after 5 business days your score report status for TOEFL or Duolingo hasn't been updated, first verify you submitted your scores correctly. Once confirmed, please alert us by email (nicholas-admissions@duke.edu), as we may have to manually find and match your scores to your application.
IELTS scores are verified manually by admissions staff and thus may take longer. We will contact you if we have trouble accessing your IELTS scores.
Because we match scores by an applicant's name, it is important your name on the application and your name on your test score reports be the same. If it is not, you must update the "Other Last Names Used" field in the Personal Background section of the application to facilitate the manual matching process.
Concurrent Degrees
Applicants to the on-campus MEM or MF may apply to concurrent degrees at the same time they apply to the Nicholas School, or during their first year of enrollment.
Tuition for concurrent degrees will be based on a blended rate. Financial aid from the Nicholas School, if awarded, will be adjusted accordingly.
Concurrent Master of Environment Management and Master of Forestry
- Applicants wishing to pursue the Nicholas School's concurrent MEM+MF should apply with one application.
- Current Nicholas School students wishing to either add the MEM or MF degree should contact the Nicholas School Registrar at nsoe-registrar@duke.edu.
Concurrent MEM or MF with a non-Nicholas School program
- Applicants to the MEM or MF wishing to pursue a concurrent degree with a non-Nicholas School program will complete two applications: one to the Nicholas School, and one to the non-Nicholas School program.
- Admission decisions for the MEM or MF and the non-Nicholas School program are made independently of one another. Applicants are encouraged to take care that their application materials for each program reflect the guidance and requirements from the relevant admissions committee.
Hybrid Program
Duke Environmental Leadership Master of Environmental Management (DEL-MEM)
This section outlines instructions for applying to the hybrid Duke Environmental Leadership Master of Environmental Management (DEL-MEM) degree program.
In addition to the information below, we strongly encourage applicants to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) video series.
DEL-MEM Admissions Requirements
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements for future admissions terms are subject to change. Applicants are subject to the stated admissions requirements for the term in which an applicant is applying for consideration.
- Applicants to the Nicholas School’s professional master’s degree programs must hold the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree from an accredited institution prior to matriculation at the Nicholas School. Applicants whose undergraduate programs are three years in length typically must complete a fourth year of study to be considered for admission.
- To be considered for the DEL-MEM program, students also must have the following:
- Five years of post-degree environmentally-related experience (professional OR a significant commitment to the personal/volunteer work in related fields)
- Evidence of leadership potential and an established background in fields directly related to the environment, as shown by essays, recommendations, resume and applicant interview
- Self-motivation and commitment to learn at a distance
- A working knowledge of the internet and personal computers for word processing, data analysis and synchronous online conferencing
- Written sponsorship from employer (or letter of commitment, if self-employed)
DEL-MEM Application Materials
Letters of Recommendation
In the online application form, applicants will enter contact information for three professional references who can articulately write about their suitability for the program and graduate study. Your recommenders should be able to write about your leadership potential, problem solving skills, maturity, personal integrity, etc.
- Once this information is entered into the online application form, recommenders will receive an auto-generated email with instructions to complete their recommendation. Recommendation letters will not be accepted outside of the online portal.
- Applicants should notify their recommenders that letters are limited to one page in length.
- Recommenders may complete their recommendation prior to the application being submitted.
- The application may be submitted before all three recommendations are received, but the admission review cannot begin until all three recommendations are on file.
Sponsor Letter / Letter of Commitment
Applicants will upload a sponsor letter on company letterhead stating that your employer endorses your participation in the program and will grant you the necessary time off to attend classes. Self-employed applicants will submit a letter of commitment.
While you may submit your application without this letter and upload it later via the application portal, we cannot review your application until it is received.
Statement of Purpose
The DEL-MEM program seeks to enroll a class with a wide range of experiences, achievements and perspectives.
In 300-350 words, please list and describe how your 5+ years of environmentally-related experience informs your commitment to creating a sustainable future. How might this program help you along your journey as an environmental leader?
Essays
You are more than your transcripts and resumes. Share with us your list of '15 Random Things About You.' This is your opportunity to tell us anything that helps us to understand what makes you who you are. Present your response in list form from 1-15. The complete list should not exceed two pages and should not contain pictures.
Please read the Nicholas School’s mission statement and provide 3 ways that you will contribute as an individual to further that mission. Please limit your answer to 250-500 words.
Resume
Your resume should highlight your strengths, skills and accomplishments as accounted for in your personal, academic and professional experiences. Choose a format and length that you feel best conveys what you want the admissions committee to learn about you in these areas.
GPA & Transcripts
There is no undergraduate grade point average (GPA) minimum requirement to apply to the MEM or MF degree programs. Competitive applications often have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale). As part of our holistic application review process, each applicant’s GPA is considered as one of many factors and we understand that GPA is not the sole indicator of academic and professional potential.
If your GPA was significantly impacted by external factors (i.e., health issues, other personal reasons), you are welcome to expound in your application to the extent you feel comfortable.
Applicants will enter and upload transcripts for all colleges and universities attended via the online application form. All transcripts submitted through the online application are considered unofficial. Official transcripts are neither required nor requested until a student is admitted and enrolled.
- Applicants who received transfer coursework from an institution other than where they earned their degree must enter that institution’s information as a separate entry in the Academic History section of the online application form, and upload the corresponding transcript.
- Credit by exam via Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, CLEP or other means should be clearly notated on the transcript or other grade report, showing the department and class for which credit was awarded, along with the amount of credit.
- Transcripts for completed degrees should show both the name of the degree and the date the degree was awarded/conferred.
-
International transcripts not converted on a 4.0 GPA scale require a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation completed by a NACES approved agency. When ordering your foreign credential evaluation, please be sure that your GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale and included in your agency evaluation.
-
All transcripts must be in English. Transcripts not issued in English should be uploaded along with an English translation; the required course-by-course foreign credential evaluation can also be used as the English translation.
COVID-19 Impact Statement (optional)
Our holistic review aims to understand both your achievements and the context in which they occurred. Should you feel additional information would be helpful for our review, you may upload an additional statement about your experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may include but is not limited to the ways your academic, professional and personal endeavors have been impacted.
English Language Proficiency / TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo
If your native language is not English, you must submit an official score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam or the Duolingo English Test. This requirement is waived if you earned your undergraduate degree in the United States, earned an undergraduate or master's degree from an English-only speaking institution, or have been working in the United States for two years or more. Please see the minimum language score required for admission consideration in each test section below.
TOEFL
- Official TOEFL scores should be reported to Duke University’s institution code 5156; there is no department code.
- Official TOEFL scores are matched to student records after the application is submitted. Please allow 3-5 business days for this process.
- TOEFL iBT minimum score = 100
IELTS
- A PDF of your IELTS score report should be uploaded in the "Supplemental Uploads" section of the application. Scores will be considered unofficial until Admissions staff verify your scores through the testing service.
- IELTS minimum overall band score = 7.0 (must receive a minimum of a 6.5 on each individual section)
DUOLINGO
- There is no institutional code for Duolingo, but applicants will need to select “Duke University Graduate Programs: Graduate School; Divinity; Engineering; Environment; Public Policy; Duke Kunshan” at the "Graduate" program type level as the institution to send scores to.
- Please Note: Make sure to include subscores when you select your institution. Score reports without subscores will not be accepted. If you are not sure how to include subscores in your score report, please contact Duolingo English Test support on the Duolingo English Test website.
- Duolingo minimum score = 125
Help with English Language Test Scores
Official TOEFL and Duolingo scores are matched to records 3-5 business days after the application is submitted. Before submitting the application, even if TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are already on file, your application status page will indicate that your test score reports have not been received. After the application is submitted, an automated score retrieval process matches TOEFL and Duolingo scores to your application record.
If after 5 business days your score report status for TOEFL or Duolingo hasn't been updated, first verify you submitted your scores correctly. Once confirmed, please alert us by email (nicholas-admissions@duke.edu), as we may have to manually find and match your scores to your application.
IELTS scores are verified manually by admissions staff and thus may take longer. We will contact you if we have trouble accessing your IELTS scores.
Because we match scores by an applicant's name, it is important your name on the application and your name on your test score reports be the same. If it is not, you must update the "Other Last Names Used" field in the Personal Background section of the application to facilitate the manual matching process.
Admissions Interview
Applicants may be asked to participate in a virtual admissions interview to discuss their professional goals, readiness for self-directed distance learning, and how they envision the DEL-MEM facilitating their growth as an environmental leader. For non-native English speakers, spoken English language proficiency will also be evaluated. Nicholas School staff will be in contact to schedule this after the application is submitted.
DEL-MEM Visa Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens
If admitted, the DEL-MEM program requires students to participate in five (5) place-based sessions. Four of these sessions take place at Duke University in Durham, NC, and one place-based session is held in Washington, D.C.. Duke University and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security require non-U.S. citizens entering the United States to participate in the DEL-MEM program place-based sessions to enter the United States on an F-1 student visa for each place-based session (a business or tourist visa is not sufficient).
PhD, Undergraduate & Other Academic Programs
- International Master of Environmental Policy (iMEP) through Duke Kunshan University
- PhD admissions: Students interested in the Nicholas School’s doctoral programs apply and are admitted through the Duke Graduate School.
- Undergraduate admissions: Students interested in the Nicholas School’s undergraduate programs apply and are admitted through Duke Undergraduate Admissions.
- Duke University Marine Laboratory Campus Programs
- Executive Education Programs
Questions?
Admissions staff members are here to support you throughout the application process. If you start an application in error—for instance, creating an application meant for the PhD program or creating a duplicate application—please email us (nicholas-admissions@duke.edu) so we may withdraw it.
For assistance creating a OneLink account or accessing your application, visit the OneLink Help Page.
MASTER'S DEGREE STUDENTS
Email: nicholas-admissions@duke.edu
(919) 613-8070
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