Environmental studies vs. Human dimensions

[Enviro22]

Hello all! I wasn't sure where to post this, so I hope this is okay. I was interested in a MS in environmental studies, but then I stumbled across this thing called human dimensions. I was wondering what the difference is and if maybe human dimensions would be a better choice for me. I am interested environmental studies, but more the social science side of things. You can do that with an environmental studies degree, but I wonder if that might look ambiguous to potential employers. For example, they might not know if you were hard science or social science. Could someone help me compare environmental studies to human dimensions? Which would be better for helping me find a job in the future? Or does it matter? Thanks!

[Rachel B]

I haven't heard of "human dimensions" before, but I have stumbled across programs that sound similar to what you're talking about, especially since I'm looking into MS Environmental Science programs myself.

But the program that immediately stuck out to me as what you're referring to is called Environmental Humanities at University of Illinois- Springfield (http://www.uis.edu/environmentalstudies/curriculum/masterArts.html). You can also find the class list for that degree here (https://edocs.uis.edu/druez2/www/GradWeb/2011-12_MSMA_AdvisingSheets.pdf)

I hope that helps!

[cunninlynguist]

Appears that we share somewhat common interests. Where is the Human Dimensions program? On the surface, Environmental Studies sounds a bit undefined, but nonetheless is transferable and practical; most employers don't regard it too much differently than similarly-titled environmental degrees. The Environmental Studies classification has been around for a while and is also a common undergraduate major. Schools just label their degrees differently.

What exactly do you want to specialize in / what are your career goals?

I'd recommend looking into the following programs that could suit you well: Wisconsin-Madison, Vermont, UMass-Amherst, and Ohio State. It's a complicated process -- there are many good environmental programs but also a lot of small variations (for instance, I'm going for policy, but the distinctions aren't made totally clear and the appropriate programs are not the same).

Hope this helps.

[Enviro22]

I haven't heard of "human dimensions" before, but I have stumbled across programs that sound similar to what you're talking about, especially since I'm looking into MS Environmental Science programs myself.

But the program that immediately stuck out to me as what you're referring to is called Environmental Humanities at University of Illinois- Springfield (http://www.uis.edu/e...masterArts.html). You can also find the class list for that degree here (https://edocs.uis.ed...isingSheets.pdf)

I hope that helps!

Thank you, I will take a look at these!

Appears that we share somewhat common interests. Where is the Human Dimensions program? On the surface, Environmental Studies sounds a bit undefined, but nonetheless is transferable and practical; most employers don't regard it too much differently than similarly-titled environmental degrees. The Environmental Studies classification has been around for a while and is also a common undergraduate major. Schools just label their degrees differently.

What exactly do you want to specialize in / what are your career goals?

I'd recommend looking into the following programs that could suit you well: Wisconsin-Madison, Vermont, UMass-Amherst, and Ohio State. It's a complicated process -- there are many good environmental programs but also a lot of small variations (for instance, I'm going for policy, but the distinctions aren't made totally clear and the appropriate programs are not the same).

Hope this helps.

The program is at Colorado State (here: http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/hdnru.html). My current adviser told me about it and said it was a good program. But I don't know much about it. The requirements for admission don't seem very competitive, but perhaps the area is too new to have much interest yet.

I am actually interested in wildlife conservation, but I am interested in the "people part". Programs can be sound in theory, but then fail because they don't take people into consideration (culture, politics, economics, general values/beliefs, etc). I am somewhat interested in policy, but not policy analysis. I am also interested in public education programs, things that might get people "on board". I am not sure what that would be career-wise.

[Rachel B]

Thank you, I will take a look at these! The program is at Colorado State (here: http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/hdnru.html). My current adviser told me about it and said it was a good program. But I don't know much about it. The requirements for admission don't seem very competitive, but perhaps the area is too new to have much interest yet. I am actually interested in wildlife conservation, but I am interested in the "people part". Programs can be sound in theory, but then fail because they don't take people into consideration (culture, politics, economics, general values/beliefs, etc). I am somewhat interested in policy, but not policy analysis. I am also interested in public education programs, things that might get people "on board". I am not sure what that would be career-wise.

It sounds like you might benefit from looking into Environmental Education masters programs as well.

[cunninlynguist]

That clarifies things a bit. Here's a potential faculty match at Cornell, in their Dept. of Natural Resources: http://dnr.cornell.e....cfm?netId=djd6

The Colorado State program looks fine -- given that your adviser suggested it directly, it's worth looking into.

[Enviro22]

My adviser suggested it because I was asking about human dimensions. I can't remember where I first saw the phrase, probably while searching online for what to call my jumbled up interests. It is really difficult to put into words sometimes. I will have to look into the program more. I will be sure to look at these other suggestions as well. Some of them sound like they might be what I'm looking for. Thank you both for your suggestions.

[enderall]

Enviro22:

Great questions, as I am in a similar dilemma about Ecology vs Natural Resources vs Human Dimensions (including Interp). My background is mostly interp and enviro ed, but I am looking to take it to a higher level of science knowledge and education. Hopefully moving away from children's ed.

Anyway, just wanted to respond because my sister is doing her PhD at CSU under Warner College. She's in watershed and geosciences I think, but has encouraged me to look at their HDNR program as she knows some people in that program and it sounds like a great match for a person who wants the sciences, but people part too. It is still a fairly new program, but that could offer more flexibility in creating your own area of interest. In fact, some of the phD students in that program area were part of an interdisciplinary team that my sister was on doing research in Mongolia last year. Cool stuff! Quote from the advisor when my sister connected me to her and I told her my background "with your background in art/humanities and field experience in environmental education – our program could offer more diverse natural resource training and well as tools to move into career-level environmental ed – either for adults or children." The department offers more than just EE though, so well worth looking into. Plus that school and Ft. Collins are just great places to be.

I am waiting to hear from a grad student and an advisor in that department just for general conversation. I'll post more if I get to talk to them. If you like interp studies, you might want to check out SUNY's Enviro Interp Masters: http://www.esf.edu/efb/envint/

Good luck, hope that helps!