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.

Our 1,100-acre mountain campus features innovations in farm, garden, forest, and managed land practices. This landscape will serve as your living laboratory to learn, experiment, and conduct research. You’ll make a real difference by completing two applied research projects with a nonprofit, business, community, or governmental agency partner.

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.

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Open House

Questions? Want to learn more about our program? Join us for a virtual open house on Tuesday, March 18th from 12:00pm to 1:00pm EST. Fill out the form below and we will send you more information and the link to join.

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Explore Classes in This Program

MCS 501

Residency 1 Introduction to Applied Climate Studies

The first residency covers an introduction to climate studies, an introduction to climate data analysis and management, and an introduction to climate justice. The residency will also include important steps for the project team formation (for applied projects during the rest of the year), with an emphasis on project management, team skills, and collaboration.  You will engage in learning and practicing facilitation & leadership exercises that are best developed in-person. In addition, the residency will involve field work, demonstrations, and excursions to engage climate-related projects, practices, and plans.  The residency will include a multiple-day regional climate summit that you will attend, engage, and reflect upon.

MCS 531

Climate Justice, Economics, and Policy

In this course we study justice and equity as they relate to climate change. We examine how governance, policy, and economics have created inequitable climate change impacts on communities of color, immigrants, indigenous, and low-income earners. We analyze transnational case studies from the US and international perspectives that demonstrate the intersection of environmental hazards and climate change with migration, displacement, surveillance, and identity. We deepen our understanding of these issues and study examples of successful strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation that ensure equity & justice.  Policies and other approaches that can lead toward more justice are explored.

Still curious? See the Curriculum
Meet Our Faculty

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.

Keith McDade, Ph.D.
Meet Keith McDade See all MACS Program Faculty
Keith McDade, Ph.D.
Alisa Hove

WWC Alumni

Warren Wilson Alum and Director of Chesapeake Climate Action Network Jamie DeMarco takes a selfie in front of a wind turbine on the ocean.
Jamie DeMarco '14
Maryland Director of Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Madison Sings '22
Campaign Field Director, Caleb Rudow for Congress and former Watershed Advocacy and Policy Manager at Asheville Greenworks
A headshot of alum Ruby Chorbajian.
Ruby Chorbajian '03
Head of Development at Climate Group in London, UK
A student drives a blue electric tractor.
Facilities

The Center for Working Lands

The Center for Working Lands has placed Warren Wilson at the forefront of academic and applied research in sustainable agriculture, regenerative land management, agrivoltaics and decarbonization. Our farm, forest, garden, and green spaces offer you the chance to explore and experiment with balancing ecological goals with economic and social benefits.

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Environmental Science Environmental Studies Sustainable Agriculture and Food Studies Ecological Forestry Conservation Biology