This is a defining moment to empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to shape a better future — equipping them with scientific literacy and policy insight to recover lost ground and lead through change.
-Dr. Marcus King, MS-EIA Director
The M.S. in Environment & International Affairs Program Welcomes its Second Cohort
This fall, Georgetown’s Environment & International Affairs (MS-EIA) program proudly welcomed its new 2025-2026 cohort. In an era of global environmental crisis, the MS-EIA cohort stands ready to lead the charge towards fostering environmental resilience and renewing pathways for global collaboration.
The dynamic and accomplished group of students brings an impressive range of academic and professional experience from across the globe, embodying the program’s interdisciplinary spirit. Having almost doubled in size compared to last year, the 49 students in the current cohort have an average age of 24 and represent 13 countries, including the United States, South Korea, Brazil, Vietnam, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Pakistan, China, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Russia, and Palestine. Over half the cohort entered within one year of completing undergraduate studies, and 36% come with 1-4 years of work experience across government, think tanks, conservation, finance, engineering, and marketing. Academically, the cohort has come from undergraduate studies across a range of disciplines and specializations, including international relations, environmental science, law, political science, governance, technology, and business.
24Average age
13Countries represented
1/2Entered within one year of completing undergraduate studies
36%Entered with 1-4 years of work experience
Now in its second year, this joint master’s degree was created by the Walsh School of Foreign Service and the Earth Commons Institute—Georgetown’s Institute for Environment & Sustainability—with the goal of providing students with a comprehensive understanding of both environmental science and environmental politics on a global scale. The intensive 12-month program prepares future leaders with an international, interdisciplinary skillset to translate science into policy and action.
When asked about the importance of this degree in a changing political climate, program director Dr. Marcus King shares, “This is a defining moment to empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to shape a better future — equipping them with scientific literacy and policy insight to recover lost ground and lead through change.”
MS-EIA student Norah Layne joined the program “seeking an understanding of the complexity of both environmental science and international politics, and how they intersect.” Her time at Georgetown so far has brought her face to face with leading experts and practitioners in their respective fields. “The professors that are a part of this program have been so nurturing and are incredibly knowledgeable,” she says.“I’ve been able to learn so much in just one semester, and this program has helped me branch out and find more interests and causes worth fighting for.”
The professors that are a part of this program have been so nurturing and are incredibly knowledgeable. I’ve been able to learn so much in just one semester, and this program has helped me branch out and find more interests and causes worth fighting for.
– Norah Layne (MS-EIA ’26)
As the world faces accelerating climate change and environmental challenges alongside geopolitical fragmentation, the fall 2025 MS-EIA cohort represents the next generation of leaders ready to take on the challenge of advancing global sustainability and rebuilding international cooperation.