University Of Dever vs. UMUC Environmental Programs

Which in everyone's opinion has a stronger program in Environmental management? The University of Denver or the University of Maryland University College?

University of Denver's site:
http://www.universitycollege.du.edu/program/academic/oncampus/epm/index.asp

University of Maryland University College site:
http://www.umuc.edu/grad/envm.shtml

In my opinion, both are reputable schools. However, in your opinions, which has a stronger program?

 

Robert, I'm in a DU writing class with some Environmental Management majors. If you like I'll attempt to put you in touch with one.

 

My sense is that the UMUC program is more narrowly technical and practical - more engineering oriented than theoretical - and while some of the DU program covers similar ground, it also allows for a more generalist environmental science and policy oriented curicculum. The UMUC makes the latter tougher if not impossible to do. On the other hand, doesn't the UMUC prgram also have more specializations? This has its own advantages (eg, hazardous waste disposal). This is inline with its customer base rooted in the military, something rather different from DU's more well-heeled - if also working - clientele.

 

Environmental programs experience?

I'm also considering the U of Denver M.S. in Environmental Policy and Management, in comparison to University of Illinois MA in Env. Studies (http://www.online.uillinois.edu) and Johns Hopkins M.S. Environmental Sciences and Policy (http://advanced.jhu.edu/environmental_sciences/). The latter seems somewhat more science-oriented but tries to do justice to policy as well. UI is more policy-oriented and costs about 1/3 the cost of the others. (Policy is my first focus, but I want a good science grounding as well.)

I'm leaning toward U. of Denver because it has more policy electives and their distance program doesn't seem to be the starved stepchild like the programs at UI and JH. Does anyone have experience with any of these programs or know someone I could email to get their perspective?

Lani Hardage-Vergeer
B.A., Literature
2 years post-grad (medical school requirements)
10 years tech writer and programmer

 

JHU requires residency

One of my colleagues was interested in the Johns Hopkins program; it arguably has the most prestigious "name brand" among DL Environmental Management programs. But he lost interest after reviewing the residency requirement.

You can only take 8 of 10 courses online; you must take the other two at a JHU campus in the Baltimore-Washington area. They offer accelerated courses during the summer, but each course still take 3 weeks. Not sure if you can take two at the same time; if not, then it's a 6-week residency total.

 

Wishing to know the online experience

I could do the two three-week residencies. I'm concerned about getting a flavor for the online experience--faculty support and responsiveness, class online discussions, rigor of studies. I've read good things from U. of Denver students, but none about U. of Illinois online or JH online. I call the latter two starving stepchildren because they are both small subsets of a much larger environmental studies program, both B&M programs highly regarded in the field. U. of Denver offers most of their B&M classes online as well.