Why get a graduate certificate in coastal policy?

Coastal policy (also referred to as marine or ocean policy) is focused on public policy and governance as it relates to marine, ocean, and coastal resources. Effective management of human activities in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas is critical to our future, which includes the setting of public policy as it relates to these systems. A graduate certificate (stand-alone or companion to another graduate degree) provides unique preparation and dedicated study appropriate for a range of students and professionals with interests in applied coastal science, policy, and/or management and will help students develop expertise and grounding in policy processes.

Why study coastal policy at UNH?

Students at UNH have access to world-class, state-of-the-art marine and coastal research facilities and platforms with hands-on learning opportunities through the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, coupled with extensive partner networks in federal, state, and local government. Through coursework and practicum projects, students gain direct experience in marine science and policy. The graduate certificate bridges existing UNH course offerings and the significant applied expertise found in UNH Cooperative Extension and New Hampshire Sea Grant. Those who complete the certificate will be prepared for a range of careers, given the focus on preparing students to work in and interact with a variety of marine organizations.

Potential career areas

Government policy analyst (federal/state)
Science advisor to policy makers
University teaching/research
Non-profit science policy and advocacy
Natural resource management (i.e., fisheries, coastal zone, watershed, protected areas, etc.)
Ocean and coastal law
Maritime law and policy
Marine renewable energy development
Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
Coastal zone management

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The UNH Graduate Certificate in Coastal Policy offers students the opportunity to develop competencies in the U.S. coastal policy process, the science-policy interface in coastal systems, and coastal institutions and governance. This certificate is appropriate for a wide range of students and professionals with interests in applied science, policy, and/or management in coastal systems. The certificate can be pursued as a stand-alone credential or in concert with another degree at UNH. Part-time and hybrid pathways through the certificate are available.

Requirements for the Program

The Coastal Policy Certificate requires a minimum of 12 credits made up of one required core class, a seminar requirement, at least six credits of electives, and one required practicum.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
MARI 805	Introduction to Coastal and Marine Policy: Understanding US Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Policy	3
MARI 801	Coastal Resource Management and Policy Seminar (to be taken twice)	1
MARI 901	Resource Management and Policy Practicum	1
Electives ¹
Select one natural science, social science, or engineering elective course from the following:		3-4
CEE 822	Introduction to Marine Pollution and Control	4
CEE 833	Public Infrastructure Asset Management	4
CEE 858	Stormwater Management Designs	3
CEE 907	Systems Thinking and Modeling	3
ECON 908	Environmental Economics: Theory and Policy	4
ECON 909	Environmental Valuation	4
ESCI 871	Positioning for Ocean Mapping	4
ME 817	Marine Robotics and Applications	3
MEFB 847	Aquatic Plants in Restoration/Management	4
NR 803	Watershed Water Quality Management	4
NR 843	Addressing Arctic Challenges I	4
NR 947	Ecosystem Science: Theory, Practice, and Management Applications for Sustainability	4
OE 854	Ocean Waves and Tides	4
OE 857	Coastal Engineering and Processes	3
OE 858	Design of Ocean Structures	3
PHP 902	Environmental Health	3
PPOL 904	Economics for Public Policy	3
SOC 825	Social Demography	4
SOC 830	Communities and the Environment	4
SOC 901	Sociological Methods I: Intermediate Social Statistics	4
Select one policy elective course from the following:		3-4
BIOL 950	Scientific Communication	2
GRAD 844	Fundamentals of Stakeholder and Community Engagement in Natural Resource Management	3
NR 820	International Environmental Politics and Policies for the 21st Century	4
NR 824	Resolving Environmental Conflicts	4
PA 800	Foundations and Theories of Public Administration	3
PA 804	Policy and Program Evaluation	3
POLT 851	Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy	4
PPOL 806	Fundamentals of Policy Analysis	3
PPOL 812	Strategies for Policy Impact	3
PPOL 904	Economics for Public Policy	3
PPOL 902	Strategy and Practice of Public Policy	3

¹: See advisor about additional course options.

Application Requirements & Deadlines

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Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

Fall: August 15 (preferred July 1)
Spring: December 15 (preferred December 1)
Summer: N/A
Special: N/A

Application fee: $25

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Please prepare a statement of no more than two pages outlining:

The reasons you wish to pursue a graduate certificate in this field of work, including how you see the certificate advancing your career interests.
Your specific academic or professional interests and experiences related to the certificate focus area and how they prepare you for success in this program.

Resume

A current resume is required with your submitted application.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

Coastal Policy, Graduate Certificate - Post Bacc - GRAD, UNH

Coastal Policy

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