Master of Science in Applied Climate Studies
Take Action Against Climate Change
Become a leader who plans, implements, and manages effective, just, and equitable climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in this 2-year, low-residency graduate program. You’ll complete both in-person summer residency intensives and online coursework focusing on project-based, collaborative learning and research.
You’ll examine the science and impacts of climate change; develop a thorough understanding of how climate data, society, policy, and governance influence decision making; and gain practical experience in leadership, management, and data science.
Why study at Warren Wilson?
- Legacy of Leadership: We are proud of our decades-long legacy of leadership in climate change action and the strength of our undergraduate environmental programs.
- Low Residency: Develop your network while maintaining a professional career through our low-residency program.
- 1,100 Acres: Our 1,100-acre mountain campus features innovations in farm, garden, forest, and managed land practices. This landscape serves as your classroom to learn, experiment, and conduct research.
- Make a Real Difference: You’ll make a real difference by completing two applied research projects with a nonprofit, business, community, or governmental agency partner.
Residency
We’ll welcome our first cohort of students for the inaugural 12-day Summer Residency in 2025. Over the course of the program, every student will join us for a total of three 12-day campus residencies and four online semesters, earning 42 credit hours.
Popular Courses
Introduction to Applied Climate Studies
In your first residency, you will engage in learning and practicing facilitation & leadership exercises that are best developed in-person. You’ll complete field work, demonstrations, and excursions to engage climate-related projects, practices, and plans. The residency includes a multiple-day regional climate summit as well.
Climate Justice, Economics, and Policy
In this course, we’ll analyze case studies from various perspectives that demonstrate the intersection of environmental hazards and climate change with migration, displacement, surveillance, and identity. You’ll deepen your understanding of these issues and study examples of successful strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation that ensure equity & justice.
Keith McDade, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Climate and sustainability pedagogy
- Climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience
- Climate leadership
“I feel lucky to have arrived at a place where students are prepared to transform our systems, our communities, our organizations, and ourselves to build a better world. People care deeply about each other and the planet as we navigate the challenges of the climate crisis in this critical moment.”
Alisa Hove, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Mating system evolution
- Plant-fungal interactions
- Evolutionary responses to environmental stress
“Warren Wilson College provides seemingly endless opportunities to work in collaborative settings with students who take an active role in their own learning. ”
David Abernathy, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Geographic Information Systems
- Environment-society relations
- Geography of Panama
“Warren Wilson students crave a challenge. I am continually amazed at the enthusiasm with which our students throw themselves into an endeavor, whether it be a physically exhausting service trip or an intellectually stimulating research question. Wilson students tend to say “bring it.””
Todd May, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Ethics and Ethical Issues
- Values in Life
- Political Philosophy
“Teaching the open, inquisitive, and reflective students on the mountain-nestled campus of Warren Wilson is a joy like no other.”
Yuemei Zhang, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Renewable energy
- Magnetic materials for data storage and retrieve
- Computational Chemistry
“Warren Wilson students are curious and engaging. I am inspired by their questions and enthusiasm during class discussions. I love to teach them and learn with them.”
Siti Kusujiarti, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Gender and Development
- Southeast Asian topics, especially Indonesia
- Rural and Environmental Sociology
“Warren Wilson students are poised to learn and to expand their horizons.”
Amy L. Knisley, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Community-based engagement with hazardous waste remediation
- Environmental justice, particularly issues impacting people of color in eastern NC
- The law of water rights, especially in the context of Rocky Mountain west
“Teaching and learning at Warren Wilson is not for the faint of heart! And some days I wake up tired. But the strong-hearted, active-minded students and educators, busy together in this beautiful valley and beyond, send me home energized every day.”
Jack Igelman, MS
Research Interests
- Climate change
- The economics of public land and forests
- The economics of less developed nations
“The commitment by Warren Wilson staff and faculty to provide our students with meaningful, hands-on learning is unmatched in higher education. Our approach provides students an opportunity to explore, create, and think critically about the world and to become well-rounded thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators. ”
Dave Ellum, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Ecology and Management of Non-timber Forest Products
- Agroforestry
- Regeneration Ecology of Temperate Hardwood Forests
“In today’s world it is not enough to just know things, we need people who can also do things. Warren Wilson students take joy in accomplishing both — incredibly well.”
Madison Sings ’22
Campaign Field Director, Caleb Rudow for Congress and former Watershed Advocacy and Policy Manager at Asheville Greenworks
Jamie DeMarco ’14
Maryland Director of Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Ruby Chorbajian ’03
Head of Development at Climate Group in London, UK