The Master of Science in Regenerative Studies (MSRS) was established in 2004 as a unique interdisciplinary program that prepares students to find successful solutions to environmental problems in the 21st century. While a number of institutions offer environmental studies or environmental science programs, Cal Poly Pomona is the only institution to offer a program specifically in regenerative studies. Regenerative Studies explores the means of supporting human communities within the limits of available resources, and without degrading the environment. Regenerative processes are those that restore and renew their own sources of energy and materials through cyclical flows.
The term "regenerative" emphasizes the intention to restore natural systems, not merely sustain them, while integrating the needs of the human community. Because no single discipline possesses all the knowledge and skills required to resolve these complex issues, the MSRS emphasizes collaborating and communicating across boundaries while developing depth of knowledge in a particular discipline.
The goal of the MSRS program is to prepare students to become tomorrow’s leaders, capable of resolving the environmental challenges of the 21st century. In support of this goal, the faculty have identified eight specific learning outcomes for the program. Students in the MSRS program will:
Develop an a ppreciation for the complexities in defining sustainability and regeneration
Develop a complex Awareness of Contemporary Environmental Issues
Understand Basic Physical Resources, Processes and Systems that Support Daily Life
Critically evaluate the role of individual and community practices in relation to sustainability
Understand institutional structures at multiple scales for achieving sustainable living
Understand effective use of technology in meeting the needs and capacities of communities
Develop the a bility to synthesize multiple disciplinary approaches to describe environmental problems and develop solutions
Develop the ability to design and implement research or investigative methods for addressing questions that inform the knowledge base of regenerative studies
The program features a core set of courses intended to ground students in concepts of regeneration, but the Master’s thesis or project serves as the primary mechanism for in-depth investigation. Students completing the program have an understanding of integrated problem-solving strategies in relation to environmental problems. They are able to conduct research and manage projects that have practical outcomes. Students also develop abilities to communicate and collaborate across disciplinary and professional boundaries while gaining specialized knowledge in the discipline of their choosing. The Center is an active research and demonstration laboratory in which coursework and experimentation are conducted.
To learn more about the Graduate Program, potential career opportunities, and how you can apply, visit the links below.