Master of Environmental Studies (MES)

Last verified against the official program page on April 18, 2026.

Philadelphia, USMESIn-person2 years

STEM-OPT

$83,304.00

Tuition

over 24mo

Credits

$95.00

App fee

Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania is a 12-credit, 2-year, in-person MES program based in Philadelphia, US. Tuition is $83,304 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

About the program

The program provides interdisciplinary knowledge in environmental science through foundation courses, professional concentrations, data analytics, and a capstone seminar. Students select courses from disciplines including environmental biology, chemistry, policy, geology, law, urban environment, resource management, health, business, sustainability, resilience, and energy.

Focus: coursework

Part-time option

Your fit

Match

Pro users see a 0 to 100 match score personalized to their academic profile, plus a per-component breakdown (major, GPA, tests, work experience, and more).

Admissions

Pro

Unlock full admissions requirements

GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

Deadlines

Spring 2027

Nov 1, 2026

Fall 2027

Apr 1, 2027

Standardized tests

GRE

optional

Min The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional for all students.

TOEFL

required

Min Internet Test (iBT) = 100; with no subscore below 24, and listening/speaking score of 25+

IELTS

required

Min 7.0 composite, with listening and speaking scores of 7.0 or higher

After the program

Post-study work rights

12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT if eligible

$28,000.00

Annual living cost

Application Checklist

See admits on GradCafe

Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

Prerequisites

Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

Recommendations

Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

Essays

Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

Contact

Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania cost?: The total estimated tuition for Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania is $83,304 across 12 required credits.
Is Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania online or in-person?: Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania is offered in-person.
How long does Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania take to complete?: Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania is structured around 2 years and 12 credits.
Is Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania STEM-OPT eligible?: Yes - Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania is STEM-OPT designated, allowing international graduates to extend their post-completion OPT for up to 36 months total.
What work-permit options follow Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania?: Post-completion work rights for Master of Environmental Studies (MES) at University of Pennsylvania: 12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT if eligible