Overview

The Coastal Science and Policy programme at University of California, Santa Cruz provides students with the interdisciplinary tools required to solve complex environmental issues. This Master of Science degree emphasises practical leadership and the implementation of feasible solutions for coastal sustainability. Participants join a selective cohort dedicated to advancing social and cultural diversity within the field.

Why Coastal Science and Policy at University of California, Santa Cruz?

This programme is distinguished by its focus on practitioner-led learning and real-world impact. University of California, Santa Cruz fosters a unique environment where students work closely with partners outside of academia to execute meaningful projects. The curriculum is designed to transform academic knowledge into actionable policy and conservation strategies, preparing graduates for influential leadership roles.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 15102 per year
National fee: USD 15102 per year
Local fee: USD 15924 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy application, culminating in a significant practical project. Modules may include:

Coastal Science and Policy
Coastal Resilience and Climate Change
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Conservation
Innovation for Coastal Solutions
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Summer Placement

Careers with Coastal Science and Policy

Graduates are prepared for high-level professional positions in environmental management, policy development, and conservation leadership. The programme focuses on developing leaders who can navigate the intersection of watersheds and the open ocean. Alumni typically pursue careers as practitioners in government agencies, non-profit organisations, and private sectors dedicated to coastal sustainability and resilience.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Coastal Natural Science

Coastal Social Science

Coastal Economics

Adaptation and Planning

Facilitating Change: Leadership and Communication

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-23 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-12 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

83 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Santa Cruz, United States

Disciplines

Environmental Economics & Policy View 133 other Masters in Environmental Economics & Policy in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Transcripts

Résumé

Please submit no more than two writing samples or excerpts between one and five (1-5) pages in length.

A Statement of Purpose

A Personal History Statement

Statement of Financial Need

Letters of Reference Instructions

Three letters of recommendation

GPA 3.0

English Proficiency

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

15102 USD / year

≈ 15102 USD / year
Out-of-State

15102 USD / year

≈ 15102 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

15924 USD / year

≈ 15924 USD / year

Living costs

Santa Cruz

United States

1710 - 2560 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Coastal Science and Policy.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Santa Cruz

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners