Environmental Systems Management

Graduate Certificate Program

Note: GWSB-affiliated students interested in these two programs should reach out to the GWSB Admissions Office and apply through their office for these programs.

Offered through the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, the graduate certificate in Environmental Systems Management is designed for professionals in the engineering, business management, and related disciplines who are required to manage organizations faced with complex and rapidly changing environmental requirements in the United States and throughout the world. The program provides advanced education across the full spectrum of subjects central to the practice of environmental management, including not only the policy, management, and high-level technical understanding underlying challenges in the environmental management area, but also the statutory and regulatory framework in which they are embedded, as well as social and policy considerations that are critically important in modern society.

GW’s proximity to the federal government, major environmental organizations, and high-tech firms in the Washington, D.C. area allows certificate students to integrate their academic study with real-world practical experience and exposure to decision-makers and top players in the environmental management field.

Please note: Course offerings are dependent on a number of factors, and course availability may change. Students will be notified of any changes by their academic advisor before the start of the semester.

Course Structure

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 12 credits, including nine credits in required courses and three credits in elective courses.

Required Courses

  • EMSE 6220 Environmental Management
  • EMSE 6245 Analytical Tools for Environmental Management
  • EMSE 6296 Next Generation Environmental Self-Governance

Electives (choose one)

  • EMSE 6225 Air Quality Management
  • EMSE 6230 Hazardous Waste Management & Cleanup
  • EMSE 6235 Water Quality Management

Admissions Requirements

Prospective students must fulfill the certificate admissions requirements through submission of a complete online application form and other documents as listed by the deadlines noted.

Please note: First-time international applicants may not apply directly to a certificate program. 

Current SEAS graduate students who wish to complete a certificate along with their master's or doctoral program must also follow the certificate admissions requirements, but may opt to have their transcripts and documents transferred from their previous application. Please contact [email protected] to make the request.

Transfer to Master's Program

Upon successful completion of a certificate program, students have the option to transfer credits to a full master's program at SEAS, pending successful completion of the master's program admissions requirements

Please note: You must receive a B or higher in each course in order for it to transfer. Additionally, you must submit a new application for the selected master's program and provide the required documents and exam scores listed as part of the master's program admissions requirements.

For any questions, please contact [email protected].