Environmental & Natural Resource Economics

In the Department of Environmental & Natural Resource Economics, we tackle complex questions about how to use our environmental, natural and human resources. By researching important societal problems and gathering and analyzing data, we offer policy solutions that move the needle on today’s most pressing issues. Our undergraduate and graduate programs focus on industrial organization, environmental economics, and natural resource economics. Our award-winning faculty produces groundbreaking research that impacts how we approach our world.

Undergraduate program options include a Bachelor’s degree and a minor.

Welcome to the Environmental & Natural Resource Economics Community

Environmental & Natural Resource Economics is an applied field of economics in which quantitative techniques and economic principles are combined to study private and public decision making. Emphasis is on natural resources and environmental issues. Career opportunities include research, planning, education, and administration with federal, state, or community governments, as well as in private businesses that provide services in various environmental and natural resource areas. Although most graduates accept jobs immediately after completing their degree, the program also provides excellent preparation for graduate school in Resource Economics, Economics, and Public Policy.

Would you like to succeed in your professional journey after graduation? 

Published on April 11, 2025

Enroll in our newest SBS career course!

SOC BEHAV 490C: Pathways to Career Success

In this course, students will critically examine the concepts of happiness, success, and thriving and apply those concepts in a career planning context. Utilizing a strengths-based …

By Karen Miller
Karen Miller Lecturer & Associate Director for Professional Education 
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SBS Awards for Summer/Fall Scholarship Opportunities – NOW OPEN!! Internships, Study Abroad, Research & Financial Aid

Published on March 1, 2025

SBS Award for Summer Internship
Opens: March 1, 2025
Closes: April 15, 2025
Description
“Funded by multiple donors, this award supports SBS students who will complete internships during the summer of 2025 semester. Candidates must be in good academic standing with at least 45 credits. Students …

By Koni Denham
Koni Denham Director of Student Success - SBS
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Fidelity Day at UMass Amherst – Wednesday, March 12

Published on February 28, 2025

Did you know that Fidelity is always one of our top employers here in SBS?

They love hiring UMass Amherst candidates, and have already hired 60 UMass students this year for full time and summer roles!

Wednesday, March 12th is …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Director of Career and Professional Development for Undergraduates, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Featured Alumni

Sana Shah’18, Managerial Economics

Alumni
  • Washington, DC
  • Financial Systems Analyst Federal Reserve Board
Meet Sana

Sam Curnyn’23, Resource Economics

Alumni
  • Portland, Oregon
  • Planning Analyst - Global Graduate Program Avangrid Renewables
Meet Sam

Richard Pisciotta’18, Managerial Economics

Alumni
  • New York, NY
  • Publicis Health Media
Meet Richard

Lindsey McCauley’18, Resource Economics

Alumni
  • Capital Budget Director Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation
Meet Lindsey

Kerry Chan’19, Resource Economics, concentration in Natural Resource & Environmental Economics

Alumni
  • Boston, MA
  • Client Solutions Supervisor SRECTrade, Inc.
Meet Kerry

Matthew Dugan’15 Resource Economics

Alumni
  • Burlington, MA
  • Field Technology Sales Manager Oracle
Meet Matthew
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Featured Resources

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Skill-Building With Linkedin Learning Classes

See below for skill-building classes – visit LinkedIn Learning for more.

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) Essential Training (2021)

Taught by Corey Koberg
Google Analytics 4 provides the means to track, analyze, and report on the visitors to your site and app—who they…

Media Relations Foundations

Taught by Jessica Chen
View Jessica’s LinkedIn Newsletter If you want your business to succeed, you need as much brand recognition as you can…

Social Media Marketing Strategy: TikTok and Instagram Reels

Taught by Ashley Kennedy
If you’re in marketing, the only thing worse than not having a social media marketing strategy is having a bad…

Excel Essential Training (Microsoft 365) (2018)

Taught by Dennis Taylor
Get up to speed with Microsoft Excel, the world’s most popular spreadsheet program. Follow along with Excel expert Dennis Taylor…

Learning Data Analytics: 1 Foundations

Taught by Robin Hunt
Are you interested in pursuing a career in data analytics? In this course, instructor Robin Hunt brings you into the…

Data Visualization: Best Practices

Taught by Amy Balliett
Media and marketing efforts often rely on data visualizations to prove a point quickly. But poorly designed visualizations can be…

Six Sigma Foundations

Taught by Richard Chua
Learn how to apply Six Sigma to drive improvements in the performance of your processes, products, and services. Dr. Richard…

Learning Excel 2016

Taught by David Rivers
This beginner-level course will introduce new users to Excel 2016. Author David Rivers covers the interface, creating and opening workbooks,…

Learning Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies (2018)

Taught by Tom Geller
Bitcoin is a form of money that only exists online. While it’s making headlines around the world, many people don’t…

Excel: PivotTables for Beginners (2018)

Taught by Dave Ludwig
PivotTables don’t have to be scary! This powerful Excel feature cuts the time you spend on formulas in half. In…

Introduction to Graphic Design

Taught by Tony Harmer
Graphic design is a complex art. To become a graphic designer, you need to master many different skills and tools.…

PowerPoint: Designing Better Slides (2017)

Taught by Heather Ackmann
Designed for non-designers, this course introduces average business professionals to key design components and requirements for purposeful PowerPoint slide design.…

Marketing on LinkedIn: The Sophisticated Marketer’s Guide

Taught by Alex Rynne
It’s a great time to be on LinkedIn. Businesses are seeing better engagement and ROI on LinkedIn than ever. So…

Understanding Capital Markets (2019)

Taught by Michael McDonald
Capital markets are a crucial area of finance—and investors aren’t the only ones impacted. Retirement, buying a house, and long-term…

LinkedIn Quick Tips (2019)

Taught by Oliver Schinkten
This collection of LinkedIn quick tip videos is designed to demonstrate helpful tricks, explain useful features, and provide quick answers…

ArcGIS Pro Essential Training (2019)

Taught by Gordon Luckett
ArcGIS Pro is a popular geographic information system (GIS) that combines the power of 2D and 3D mapping with cloud-based…

Presentation Tips for Pitching to Investors

Taught by Jessica Chen
Landing a meeting with investors is a big opportunity—and a key test of your business. Investors ask tough questions. The…

SQL Essential Training (2019)

Taught by Bill Weinman
Knowing how to code and manage relational databases and database-driven applications is a valuable skill for any career in tech.…

Social Media Marketing Foundations (2020)

Taught by Brian Honigman
Social media dramatically altered marketing by allowing businesses to directly engage with customers and vice versa. Brands that stand the…

User Experience (UX) for Non-Designers

Taught by Tom Green
User experience (UX) design is more than just pushing pixels and adding interactivity. It’s a people-centric practice that involves many…
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Relevant Courses

SBS Pathways Careers Courses

SBS Pathways Careers Courses SOC BEHAV 250: College to CareersSOC BEHAV 490C: Pathways to Career Success SOC BEHAV 490C: Pathways…
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Research Opportunities

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Explore Outcomes

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2022 was 70%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2024 was 51.3%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Starting Salary
  • Job Titles
  • Employment Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Degree Types
  • Fields of Study

First Destination

SBS graduates pursue a range of plans after graduation, including employment, continuing education, and volunteering/service, among others.  This graph depicts what recent SBS graduates tell us they are doing within six months after graduation.