M.A. Urban Environmental leadership

Fostering inspired and innovative leadership for just and sustainable cities

Cities are playing a critical role in shaping our planet’s ecological future. Historically, environmental education and advocacy movements have focused on "wild" places and ecological processes. Land preservation and species conservation have dominated public perception of environmental issues. In the past several decades, however, a redefinition of "environment" and the attendant issues has been taking place, with urban residents becoming a strong force in addressing environmental inequities.

With this transition, a new type of environmental leader has emerged. They are concerned with issues that would not have been historically defined as environmental—issues such as transportation, poverty, racism, and housing. 

Lesley University's M.A. in Urban Environmental Leadership gives students an opportunity to study the complete picture of the urban environment and gain an understanding of the human forces that shape it. This unique examination of the urban environment addresses the history of cities and the political, social and cultural forces that shape the environmental decision-making process. 

Further Your Green Career Opportunities

• Increase your personal and professional capacity for creating environmental and social change in cities.
• Gain a theoretical and scientific overview of cities as ecosystems.
• Undertake scholarly, action-oriented research and writing that promote change.
• Understand the important role cities will have in shaping environmental futures worldwide.
• Gain an experiential understanding of key issues and opportunities facing urban environments.
• Identify the principles of environmental justice and how urban residents have been disproportionately affected by environmental burdens

Program Format

The 32-credit M.A program utilizes a low-residency cohort model beginning with a  summer one-week intensive in Cambridge, MA. The intensive residency introduces students to an experiential education model, which is the underlying structure of the program. In order to learn about urban ecology, for example, student learning will not take place in a classroom. Instead, UEL students will work with biologists and ecologists in the urban outdoor laboratory that is Boston.

During the fall and spring terms, the learning cohort will meet during four weekends over the course of the semester for experiential field work and face-to-face discussions and seminars. In between these sessions, independent reading, research and experiential learning will be enhanced by an active online component. This combination of online learning and weekend intensives throughout each semester allows students not only from the Boston area to enroll, but also from other regional cities such as Hartford, Providence, Portland, and even New York City. The second year of the program includes a course in action research methods and planning for the culminating action research project that is completed during the final spring semester.

For a complete program of study and course descriptions click here.

Requirements for Admission

Candidates to Lesley University’s M.A. in Urban Environmental Leadership must demonstrate leadership qualities and a strong commitment to pursuing a career in the environmental field. Applicants must submit an application form along with a $50 non-refundable application fee, an official transcript from the institution granting their undergraduate degree, two letters of recommendation, and a written personal statement that adresses the specific program questions. A personal interview is required for acceptance into the program. Applicants will be contacted for an interview once their application is complete.

Lesley University is a leader in innovative environmental programs. Lesley’s Division of Environmental Studies has provided innovative and rigorous environmental programs for more than 30 years. In addition to the M.A. in Urban Environmental Leadership, the Division also offers an M.S. in Ecological Teaching and Learning.

For more information contact:

Lisa M. Lombardi
Assistant Director Advising and Student Services
617.349.8454
1.800.999.1959 ext 8454
lombardi@lesley.edu