Training in the CONS program includes four components:

1. core courses in each of: ecology and conservation biology; resource economics; public policy; and interdisciplinary problem-solving;

2. elective courses from a wide array of disciplines;

3. an internship experience for one semester (usually in a Washington-area agency) relevant to the student's career interests;

4. a scholarly paper that uses readily available data to analyze a conservation or development project from the perspective of biological conservation and economic benefits and leads to policy recommendations. You can see examples of scholarly paper topics in entries in our alumni directory.

Course requirements for the Program total 39 credits. This is intended to be a two to three year degree program.