Economics

Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Resource Economics

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.

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

Certificate Requirements

Completion of the certificate requires a total of 16 graduate credits including: (see PSU Bulletin Online for course descriptions)

  • Resource and Environmental Economics (EC 530)
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis (EC 527)
  • Economics of Sustainability: Theory and Practice (EC 522)
  • Any one Graduate Economics Elective Courses (non-Economics courses with permission)

Environmental and Resource Economics Elective Courses (see PSU Bulletin Online for course descriptions)

  • Advanced Environmental Economics (EC 532)
  • Business Environmental Management (EC 534)
  • Global Environmental Economics (EC 543)

Applying to the Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Resource Economics

Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Resource Economics program requires the following in addition to Portland State University’s admission requirements:

  1. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with either a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in all undergraduate courses or a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in all graduate credit earned at accredited institutions (a minimum of 9 letter-graded credits). Applicants with 0-8 credits of graduate work and cumulative undergraduate GPAs between 2.50 and 2.74 may be considered for conditional admission at the discretion of the Department.  Applicants with 9 or more letter-graded graduate credits must have a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.00.
  2. Completion of principles of microeconomics course or equivalent with a letter grade of B or higher. Undergraduate intermediate microeconomics and econometrics courses are recommended prior to enrollment, but not required.
  3. A written statement of purpose, one to two pages in length, detailing future aspirations and past experience with environmental and resource economics.
  4. Two letters of recommendation.

How to Apply:

Non-PSU students

All applicants must apply to the Economics Department using the online application.  

Requirements for admission to the Economics Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Resource Economics are as follows:

  1. University Graduate Admission application.
  2. The Graduate School requires copies of transcripts only for schools where a bachelor’s degree was awarded and/or graduate-level coursework was completed. If you are accepted, you will be required to submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended as the final verification step after enrolling in your program.
  3. Statement of purpose: a written statement, 1-2 pages in length, detailing your future aspirations and past experience with environmental and resource economics.
  4. Two letters of recommendation, preferably from former or current faculty members. You will submit these names and emails as part of the online application and those individuals will get emails notifying them of your request.

Non- Economics PSU Students

If you are currently an admitted non-Economics student in to a Master’s or Ph.D. degree program at PSU, you will need to use the GO-19 form to request the addition of the Graduate Certificate program.  You must be in good academic standing. This is a digital form and will be submitted electronically to the program director and department chairman.

Admissions Deadlines

The Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Resource Economics students can join the program in fall, winter or spring terms. The Department of Economics follows a rolling admission policy for all submitted applications, regardless of when they are submitted. However, the following deadlines are recommended to ensure students can start in the designated term.

  • Fall or Summer admission: February 1
  • Winter admission: September 1
  • Spring admission: November 1

We presently do not offer funding for certificate-only students. If you are a current student at PSU with a Graduate Assistantship, your funding may allow you to take the courses necessary for the Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Resource Economics. Please check with the Program Director for your main graduate program to verify if this is possible.

Questions regarding the Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Resource Economics? Contact: