Duke Sanford offers top-ranked environmental academics and expertise in environmental and energy policy to address policy innovations that affect the very health of our planet at a crucial time when science is being questioned.
Academic Overview
Sanford faculty, like professor Alex Pfaff, are recognized for their expertise around the world, advising the White House, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, the World Bank, the InterAmerican Development Bank, state governments, and policymakers.
Related Programs & Courses
The Public Policy Studies major is a perennial top major at Duke University.
- MPP (Environment and Energy Specialization available) - view concentration requirements
- MPP/Master of Environmental Management (MEM) or Master of Forestry (MF) – dual degree options with Sanford School/Nicholas School
- IMEP (International Master of Environmental Policy)
- PhD in Public Policy
- PhD – University Program in Environmental Policy - joint program with Sanford School/Nicholas School
Graduate-level elective courses include:
- Climate Change Economics and Policy
- International Environmental Policy
- Collective Action
- Sustainable Development
- Environment & Development
- Energy & Development
- Global Environmental Health
- top-ranked Nicholas School of the Environment
- Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions designing policy responses to the most pressing environmental and energy challenges
- interdisciplinary project teams at the Duke University Energy Initiative
Sample Stories & Research
What can you do with a focus on energy & the environment?
Lindsey Kurnath MPP'08
Alumni Story
Lindsey Kurnath received her MPP in 2008 Her career has taken her to the White House, the highest mountain in Washington, and now the southernmost shore of New York. Lindsey has literally seen environmental policy from many angles. She is now Deputy Superintendent of Fire Island National Seashore in New York.
Key Partnerships
Nicholas School of the Environment
Students can take classes, attend lectures and interact with faculty and students at the top-ranked Nicholas School of the Environment
Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability
Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability designs policy responses to the most pressing environmental and energy challenges.
Duke Climate Commitment: A University Initiative
The Duke Climate Commitment is a university-wide, impact-oriented initiative to address the climate crisis.
Let's Connect
Interested in pursuing a degree with a focus on energy & environment policy? Great! The admissions page for each program has detailed guidelines, including our contact info. Please reach out!
- Read recent stories related to energy and the environment
- Browse faculty opinion pieces related to energy & the environment
- Sanford podcasts often feature stories about energy & the environment.