Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Environmental Studies, M.S.


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Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Devon Eulie

The Master of Science in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary graduate degree designed for professionals, practitioners, citizens and students who wish to strengthen their knowledge of the environment. The multidisciplinary nature of this program provides the student with a unique balance of the scientific background necessary for sound environmental decision-making within the context of educational, political, sociological, economic and legal frameworks. This approach is intended to produce future and current environmental professionals with the broad perspective necessary to be effective leaders in the field.

Admission Requirements


To ensure consistency in course sequencing, the majority of admissions will occur in the fall semester of each academic year. However, a limited number of admissions will be available in the spring semester.

Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Science in Environmental Studies program are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

  1. An application for graduate admission
  2. Official transcripts of all prior university or college work (undergraduate and graduate)
  3. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) less than five years old
  4. Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields
  5. An essay describing educational and professional experiences, reasons for pursuing graduate study in environmental studies and career goals
  6. Optional writing sample
  7. Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Applicants seeking admission to the program must meet the following requirements:

  1. Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college, or its equivalent (due to the diversity of areas of emphasis within the program, it is not required that the successful applicant possess a degree in Environmental Studies)
  2. Strong academic performance in an undergraduate curriculum indicated by a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, or its equivalent
  3. Indication of graduate academic potential reflected by satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination
  4. Indication of graduate academic potential reflected by three letters of recommendation from individuals in professionally relevant fields
  5. Concurrency of personal goals with the focus of the environmental studies graduate curriculum

Individuals who fall below one of these criteria may be admitted if other factors indicate potential for success. Individuals with identified deficiencies may be accepted provisionally with specified plans and goals for the remediation of these deficiencies. Such remediation may include a requirement of additional hours beyond those normally required for the degree.

Degree Requirements (33 total credit hours)


The program requires the satisfactory completion of 33 credit hours of approved graduate level courses consisting of the following: 15 credit hours of core classes designed to provide a foundation in environmental studies; 3 credit hours of practicum or final project designed to link theory with practice; 15 credit hours in an approved concentration. A maximum of 6 total credit hours from any combination of EVS 591 , EVS 595 , EVS 597 , and/or EVS 598  may be applied toward the degree without approval from the graduate coordinator..

Applied Learning (3 credit hours)


To ensure that students are able to employ skills and knowledge gained in the program within an applied, capstone setting, they are required to complete either the Seminar/Final Project or the Practicum in Environmental Studies. Both courses provide extended opportunities for fieldwork, research or creative projects and help the student to bridge related theory with practical applications. Determination of which curricular direction will be taken is based upon the level of prior professional experience in the environmental field, requiring progressive levels of responsibility. Those individuals with 3 or more years in the field will complete the Seminar/Final Project. Those with less than 3 years will complete the Practicum in Environmental Studies. Students are required to complete a minimum of 3 credit hours of applied learning.

Concentrations (15 credit hours)


All students are also required to pursue a concentrated area of study in Coastal Management, Marine and Coastal Education, Environmental Education and Interpretation, or Environmental Conservation and Management. Students can also elect to plan their own curriculum in the Individualized Study concentration. Students electing to pursue the Individualized Study concentration should consult with the Environmental Studies graduate coordinator. A maximum of 6 total credit hours from any combination of EVS 591 , EVS 595 , EVS 597 , and/or EVS 598  may be applied toward the degree without approval from the graduate coordinator. For students pursuing a dual concentration, a maximum of 6 total credit hours may be shared between the concentrations.

Coastal Management


All students pursuing a concentration in Coastal Management must complete the following:

Marine and Coastal Education


All students pursuing a concentration in Marine and Coastal Education must complete the following:

  • Credit Hours: 3
  • 12 credit hours of electives approved by the EVS graduate program advisor (3 credit hours must be in approved natural science courses and 3 credit hours must be in approved physical science courses)
  • Note: EVS 595  or 597  placement of students in this concentration must be at an approved Marine and Coastal Education site

Environmental Education and Interpretation


All students pursuing a concentration in Environmental Education and Interpretation must complete the following:

Environmental Conservation and Management


All students pursuing a concentration in Environmental Management must complete the following:

Individualized Study


All students pursuing an Individualized Study concentration must complete the following:

  • 15 credit hours of electives approved by the EVS graduate program advisor

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