Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
The Ocean and Coastal Resource Management specialization was developed after consulting with the world’s leading marine policy experts.
To make a difference on the international stage today, global marine policy professionals must be trained to navigate an extremely complex web of marine laws and treaties, economic trends and incentives, and political dynamics. Graduates must know cutting-edge natural science and also understand economics, law, politics, and business. An Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) specialization imparts a sophisticated understanding of institutional processes and teaches practical skills across the social and natural sciences.
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management Specialization
Coursework provides rigorous qualitative and quantitative skills-building that is interdisciplinary, current, and practical. All students produce original interdisciplinary research on current marine issues relevant for policy-making and management decisions.
To obtain a specialization in Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, prospective students must apply and be accepted into the Environmental Policy and Management (formerly International Environmental Policy) program. Upon arrival, students will meet with the Environmental Policy Program Chair (and Center for the Blue Economy Director) Dr. Jason Scorse and the Institute’s academic advisors to set up a study plan to maximize their opportunities during their time at the Institute.
Students in the OCRM concentration typically complete the following courses, in addition to their core Environmental Policy degree requirements:
- International Marine Policy Speaker Series (1 credit or audit)
- Marine Science and Policy (4 credits)
- International Marine Law (4 credits)
- Environmental Leadership (4 credits)
- Sustainable Coastal Management (4 credits)
Please refer to the Environmental Policy and Management Curriculum page for the most current information on the OCRM requirements.
OCRM Alumni Success
Environmental Policy & Management graduates who have the Ocean and Coastal Resource Management specialization have done very well in the job market, with approximately 94% currently employed in the ocean and coastal resource management field. See more about where our alumni work and hear their stories on our Networking and Alumni Success webpage.
EPM/OCRM Alumni Success
This video highlights a few graduates of the Environmental Policy & Management master’s program, most of whom have the Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) specialization—a specialization that the Center for the Blue Economy helped to establish more than 10 years ago. The CBE and our generous donors continue to support OCRM students, providing funded fellowships that offer real-world experience and key connections to launch successful careers.
Opportunities for Students Outside MIIS
Students enrolled at other institutions in the Center for Ocean Solutions Marine consortium may also be eligible for this course of study. Please contact the Center for Advising and Career Services for more information.
“The policy curriculum in the Ocean and Coastal Resource Management masters program at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies is one of the finest in the country. With courses in International Marine Law, International Marine Science and Policy, Ocean and Coastal Economics and a two-part Sustainable Coastal Management course and a faculty with ‘real-world’ experience, the Institute offers one of the most complete masters-level coastal and marine policy training programs in the U.S.”
Dr. Mike Orbach, Emeritus Professor of Marine Affairs and Policy, Duke University