The UNH Graduate Certificate in Coastal Policy offers students and professionals the opportunity to develop competencies in the U.S. coastal policy process, the science-policy interface in coastal systems, and coastal institutions and governance.
Why get a graduate certificate in coastal policy?
Coastal policy (also referred to as marine or ocean policy) is focused on public policy and governance as it relates to marine, ocean, and coastal resources. Effective management of human activities in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas is critical to our future, which includes the setting of public policy as it relates to these systems. A graduate certificate (stand-alone or companion to another graduate degree) provides unique preparation and dedicated study appropriate for a range of students and professionals with interests in applied coastal science, policy, and/or management and will help students develop expertise and grounding in policy processes.
Why study coastal policy at UNH?
Students at UNH have access to world-class, state-of-the-art marine and coastal research facilities and platforms with hands-on learning opportunities through the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, coupled with extensive partner networks in federal, state, and local government. Through coursework and practicum projects, students gain direct experience in marine science and policy. The graduate certificate bridges existing UNH course offerings and the significant applied expertise found in UNH Cooperative Extension and New Hampshire Sea Grant. Those who complete the certificate will be prepared for a range of careers, given the focus on preparing students to work in and interact with a variety of marine organizations.
Potential career areas
- Government policy analyst (federal/state)
- Science advisor to policy makers
- University teaching/research
- Non-profit science policy and advocacy
- Natural resource management (i.e., fisheries, coastal zone, watershed, protected areas, etc.)
- Ocean and coastal law
- Maritime law and policy
- Marine renewable energy development
- Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
- Coastal zone management
Curriculum & Requirements
The UNH Graduate Certificate in Coastal Policy offers students the opportunity to develop competencies in the U.S. coastal policy process, the science-policy interface in coastal systems, and coastal institutions and governance. This certificate is appropriate for a wide range of students and professionals with interests in applied science, policy, and/or management in coastal systems. The certificate can be pursued as a stand-alone credential or in concert with another degree at UNH. Part-time and hybrid pathways through the certificate are available.
The Coastal Policy Certificate requires a minimum of 12 credits made up of one required core class, a seminar requirement, at least six credits of electives, and one required practicum.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MARI 805 | Introduction to Coastal and Marine Policy: Understanding US Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Policy | 3 |
| MARI 801 | Coastal Resource Management and Policy Seminar (to be taken twice) | 1 |
| MARI 901 | Resource Management and Policy Practicum | 1 |
| Two Electives 1 | 6-8 | |
| Select one natural science, social science, or engineering elective course from the following: | ||
| CEE 822 | Introduction to Marine Pollution and Control | 4 |
| CEE 833 | Public Infrastructure Asset Management | 4 |
| CEE 858 | Stormwater Management Designs | 3 |
| CEE #907 | Systems Analysis of the Environment | 3 |
| ECON 908 | Environmental Economics: Theory and Policy | 4 |
| ECON 909 | Environmental Valuation | 4 |
| ESCI 871 | Geodesy and Positioning for Ocean Mapping | 4 |
| ME 817 | Marine Robotics and Applications | 3 |
| MEFB 825 | Marine Ecology | 4 |
| MEFB 847 | Aquatic Plants in Restoration/Management | 4 |
| MEFB 872 | Fisheries Biology: Conservation and Management | 4 |
| NR 803 | Watershed Water Quality Management | 4 |
| NR 843 | Addressing Arctic Challenges I | 4 |
| NR 947 | Ecosystem Science: Theory, Practice, and Management Applications for Sustainability | 4 |
| OE 854 | Ocean Waves and Tides | 4 |
| OE 857 | Coastal Engineering and Processes | 3 |
| OE 858 | Design of Ocean Structures | 3 |
| PHP 902 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| PPOL 904 | Economics for Public Policy | 3 |
| RAM 867 | Social Impact Assessment | 4 |
| RECO 808 | Environmental Economics | 4 |
| SOC 825 | Social Demography | 4 |
| SOC 830 | Communities and the Environment | 4 |
| SOC 901 | Sociological Methods I: Intermediate Social Statistics | 4 |
| SOC 904 | Sociological Methods IV: Qualitative and Historical Research Methods | 4 |
| Select one policy elective course from the following: | ||
| BIOL 950 | Scientific Communication | 2 |
| DPP 901 | Integrative Approaches to Development Policy and Practice | 3 |
| DPP #911 | Environmental Factors in Development Practice | 1 |
| GRAD 844 | Fundamentals of Stakeholder and Community Engagement in Natural Resource Management | 3 |
| NR 820 | International Environmental Politics and Policies for the 21st Century | 4 |
| NR 824 | Resolving Environmental Conflicts | 4 |
| PA 800 | Foundations and Theories of Public Administration | 3 |
| PA 804 | Policy and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| POLT 851 | Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy | 4 |
| PPOL 806 | Fundamentals of Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PPOL 812 | Strategies for Policy Impact | 3 |
| PPOL 904 | Economics for Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 902 | Strategy and Practice of Public Policy | 3 |
| RAM 911 | Natural and Environmental Resource Management | 4 |
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See advisor about additional course options.
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: August 15 (preferred July 1)
- Spring: Dec. 15 (preferred December 1)
- Summer: N/A
- Special: N/A
Application fee: $25
Campus: Durham
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
Please prepare a statement of no more than two pages outlining:
- The reasons you wish to pursue a graduate certificate in this field of work, including how you see the certificate advancing your career interests.
- Your specific academic or professional interests and experiences related to the certificate focus area and how they prepare you for success in this program.
Resume
A current resume is required with your submitted application.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
