Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Resource Economics

1. Goal of the Program

The Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Resource Economics provides students with an understanding of the critical linkages between economics and key environmental issues. It also offers an introduction to the most important analytical tools, including cost-benefit analysis.

2. Educational Objectives

• Develop a solid understanding of the major local, national and global environmental challenges;
• Provide insights into how markets allocate natural resources and the market and government "failures" associated with the environment;
• Introduce some of the tools used to analyze the effects of alternative resource and environmental regulations and policies.

3. Degree Requirements

Principles of microeconomics is a pre-requisite for two core courses. Undergraduate intermediate microeconomics and econometrics are recommended prior to enrollment, but not required. Completion of the program requires a total of 20 graduate credits including:

• Resource and Environmental Economics (Ec 530)
  Overview of different approaches to economic analysis of resources and the environment, policies to protect and improve environmental quality, and efficiently manage natural resources and sustain- ability. Covers the theory of externalities, resource allocation over time, common property resources, public goods, and valuation.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis (Ec 585)
  Main theory and empirical methodologies for assessing costs and benefits of projects with varying time frames and levels of uncertainty. Focus on analyzing public projects, including environmental, infrastructure, and social service activities. Methodologies for valuation of non-marketed goods like environmental services are important focuses.
• Economics of Sustainability: Theory and Practice (Ec 522)
  Economic concepts and theories for analyzing sustainable development. Market and non-market values for environmental and social services, approaches to measure national progress toward sustainable development, causes and potential solutions to environmental and social degradation, roles of the business, government and non-profit sectors in fostering sustainability, and the emerging field of ecological economics.
• Any two Portland State University graduate economics elective courses (non-economics courses with permission). See the tentative course schedule for more information on available courses.·

4. How to Apply?

Follow the directions in our detailed application guide.  

More Information: 503-725-3915, enviroecon_certificate@pdx.edu;
Admissions: www.pdx.edu/admissions/graduate.html or cs.pdx.edu/pdfs/gradcertadmit.pdf;
Graduate Studies: www.pdx.edu/ogs

Department of Education Mandated Certificate Program Information