MS Degree Program

Program objectives are: (1) ability to solve advanced Earth Science problems involving observations and measurements in the field and the laboratory; (2) attainment of advanced knowledge of Earth Science concepts and their application in one or more subdisciplines; and (3) preparation for professional employment or for entering a doctoral program in an Earth Science or a related field.

Admission Standards and Procedures

All prospective students must meet the minimum requirements for admission to the program as stipulated by The Graduate School (LINK). Meeting the minimum department standards does not entitle an applicant to admission. Meeting such standards only insures consideration of the application.

• Application Deadlines are November 1^st for consideration for Spring Semester Admission, and January 31^st for Fall Semester admission.  Decisions for both Spring and Fall semesters are made usually within 30 days after each respective deadline.  Early completion of applications is strongly suggested.

• Applicants must have a satisfactory academic record (equivalent to 32 credit hours) work in one or more of our core areas of geology, geography, archaeology, or environmental sciences.  Applicants deficient in undergraduate coursework, if admitted will be required to take course work to have deficiencies removed without graduate credit.  

• Applicants must have a minimum of a cumulative 2.75 or equivalent GPA for consideration for admission.

• All applications require copies of official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement of research interests, and a writing sample. The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is not required. 

• The department does not waive any fees whatsoever associated with applying to the University or the Graduate Program.

• International students, in addition to the above requirements, must also demonstrate English proficiency as per Graduate School requirements (Link). Students must have the following minimum scores on one of the four following exams:

• • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), 550 on paper, 80 internet version
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System), 6.5
  • PTE (Pearson Test of English), 59
  • Duolingo English Test, 110

• Applicants whose highest degree is from a foreign university are required to have their credentials evaluated by any credentialing agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services web site (www.naces.org).

• International Applicants have additional requirements beyond the scope of the department and are urged to consult information provided online by the Graduate School (Link).

• Although the deadline for Spring Semester admission is November 1^st of each cycle, International Applicants considering a Spring Semester start date should complete their applications at least 30 days prior to the deadline to ensure that visa, and other requirements can be completed in a timely manner. 

Program Requirements

Geography Concentration:

1. Completion of 12 semester hours of geography (ESCI) graduate coursework. It is recommended that these 12 hours include courses in: environmental and earth sciences; human-economic geography, and geographic techniques. Students not submitting acceptable undergraduate credit in quantitative methods or statistics will be required to take a quantitative methods or statistics course.
2. Completion of elective graduate coursework, in consultation with the student’s advisory committee, to obtain a minimum total of 32 semester hours.