Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy

The Master Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy (SEEP) is an innovative, internationally unique program that equips participants with the necessary theoretical background and factual information about the interconnected dynamics of economic and social systems and the physical environment. The program also enables participants to use appropriate analytical tools to engage in decision processes and longer-term policy on multiple spatial levels.

Here, students learn not just individual perspectives but a holistic approach to socio-economic challenges. This is based on a solid foundation that offers a mix of sound specialist knowledge and a high degree of practical orientation.

Rapid environmental change, population dynamics, poverty, and exclusion are interrelated processes that challenge human development. To tackle these complex issues, traditional disciplinary approaches to analysis and policy formulation are not sufficient. Instead, integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to studying the working of the human-environment system are needed. The Master Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy presents integrated approaches to development and human well-being that go beyond the usual polarization between socioeconomic development and environmental goals.

Reasons to study Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy:

1. Theoretically wellgrounded approach to understanding social, ecological, and economic crisis

2. Internationally unique

3. Guest lectures and research seminars with internationally renowned scholars

4. Interdisciplinary approach including trainings in social and economic analysis, covering theory, philosophie of science, heterodox economics, law and public policy

THE PLUS EXPERIENCE

If you decide to complete your Master‘s degree at the WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, you will receive one of the best business educations at one of the top 1% business schools in the world. But that‘s not all: You are guaranteed to experience excellent job prospects, an awardwinning campus, state-of-the-art teaching, a diverse range of degree programs and, on top of it all, life in the world‘s most livable city.

The Master Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy is a full-time program which takes 4 semesters. Over the course of studies students acquire theory-based knowledge, methodological skills as well as the ability to apply these in an interdisciplinary context.

The Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy MSc foundation courses in the first semester provide coverage of research and writing on contemporary policy challenges; the history and philosophy of science; international and European law, institutions and governance; economic growth and development.

In the second semester two specialisations are chosen from four options and undertaken along with the methods course and an agent level behavioural socio-economics course. Quantitative and qualitative methods are treated as equally important in the programme and taught in combination, not as separate courses or with the former regarded as superior to the latter.

In the second year the concentration areas and methods course continue during the third semester. In addition, across the third and fourth semesters a minor course is run allowing team work and practical community engagement, called service learning.

In the fourth semester students turn to their thesis.

1st Semester - Foundation

You study global challenges and socioeconomic theories in detail and learn basic methodology.

• Introduction to Research and Writing on Contemporary Policy Challenges I

• History and Philosophy of Science: Ontology, Epistemology, Methodology

• Growth, Well-Being and Development

• International and European Law, Institutions and Governance

2nd Semester - In-depth Knowledge

You deepen your knowledge of global challenges and socioeconomic theories and of basic methodology and become familiar with your two chosen concentration areas.

• Introduction to Research and Writing on Contemporary Policy Challenges II

• Actors, Behaviours and Decision Processes

• Quantitative and Qualitative Methods I

Concentration Area 1 and 2 – choice of two:

• Social Ecological Economics

• The Political Economy of Inequalities

• Globalisation and Multi-Level Policy

• Globalisation and Social Policy

3rd Semester - Specialized Expertise

You advance quickly to specialized expertise and real-world applications. The main courses will be in the concentration areas and you will explore interdependencies between the subjects.

• Service Learning

• Quantitative and Qualitative Methods II

Concentration Area 1 and 2 – continuing the chosen two areas from 2nd semester:

4th Semester - Synthesis

You develop and hone your research skills through a research seminar and writing your thesis.

For a more detailed study plan, check out the website of our program: wu.ac.at/en/programs/masters-programs/socio-ecological-economics-and-policy/structure-content

Graduates of the MSc (Master of Science) program Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy have the ideal qualifications for a career as socio-economists in the field of sustainability. The successful completion of the program endowed them with skills to

• gain a comprehensive understanding of issues in the field of socio-ecological transition and ensuing challenges for politics, and to analyze these issues using appropriate models and quantitative and qualitative methods

• obtain relevant information from specialist academic and practical literature and socioeconomic information systems and apply them in a critical but considered manner

• support political and management processes through appropriate designs and skills even in conflictladen situations

• work constructively in teams and participate actively in interactive problem-solving processes

The Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy graduate is

1. equipped with the theories, methods and empirical approaches necessary for an in-depth understanding of global social, economic and environmental policy issues,

2. aware of the variety of ethical issues arising from sustainable development,

3. possesses the skills essential for interdisciplinary analysis, and

4. is able to work in international teams in developing, designing and evaluating novel policy responses.