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"To deliver knowledge needed for action to avoid and adapt to detrimental environmental change including extreme hazardous events"

(Belmont Challenge)

"Adaptation experience is accumulating across regions in the public and private sector and within communities" 

(IPCC)

Why?

This program of studies is preparing a new generation of professional able to rise to the challenges of adaptation to climate change by:

1. Mobilising interdisciplinary social sciences to foster sustainability;

2. Being interdisciplinary;

3. Being able to design and implement all actions associated to adaptation to climate change;

4. Developing a praxis that is centred on the needs of communities and stakeholders.

How?

A one or two-year master program

Holder of a bachelor degree (or other equivalent of a French “licence” degree) are admitted in a two-year program (first year is a transition to sustainability interdisciplinary social science program, the second year is the Adaptation to climate change program). 

Students who already completed successfully at least one year of graduate education, or who can justify of more than 3 year of post bachelor professional experience, may be admitted directly in the second year of the program, the specific adaptation to climate change program.

Courses list for the first year - transition to sustainability year - classroom-based lectures

Courses list for the second year - adaptation to climate change year - online lectures, classroom based directed work

Second semester internships

First and second year students have to complete either an internship or write a research essay.

For first year students the internship (or the essay) must be equivalent to minimum 280 hours of work (2 months).

For second year students the internship (or the essay) must be equivalent to minimum 560 hours of work (4 months).

Who?

The students

The students are selected in order to (a) maximize classroom diversity, (b) to capture students whose bachelor degree gives them core abilities that may be mobilized within an adaptation to climate change context, (c) train strongly motivated and dedicated individuals that show the potential to raise to the challenge of fostering adaption the climate change.

Institutions

The Adaptation to climate change master degree is directly embedded into the Observatory of Versailles Saint-Quentin, a faculty dedicated to sustainability and climate studies.  The master degree is backed by OVSQ’s adaptation centred research centre, the CEARC.

Faculty members

Faculty members teaching into the program are all active scientists within the field of climate studies.  Most also develop a professional practice geared at accompanying local, national, regional and international governance bodies facing the challenges of adaptation to climate change.  Their (inter) disciplinary expertise comes from climate studies, climate science, environmental studies, history, biology, land use planning, economics, sociology, business and anthropology.

Please note:

If you are considering hiring one of our students as an intern

Congratulations!  Our students are a source of pride, both for us and for our increasing number of partners.  Each student benefits form the support of one faculty member who acts as the academic supervisor.  Do not hesitate to get in touch with the program director.

Language

Course may be thought either in French or English language. Students having an imperfect mastery of either French language or English language may benefit of some adjustments.  Please enquire with the program director.

Part time studies

Part time studies/continuing education are possible; a tailored teaching program is available for professional wishing to engage in continuing education.

Application

Application opens in March, through the online service of Paris Saclay University