Master of Science in Environmental Studies
MS—50 credits
The MS in Environmental Studies degree, with or without certification, is a 20 month program, requiring a minimum of 50 credits.
In addition to completing a minimum of two semesters of an appropriate practicum, you are expected to develop basic competencies in the areas listed on the following pages. If you enter the program with little or no background in biology or environmental studies you should expect to take the maximum number of credits indicated for each competency area; if you enter with some of these competencies developed through previous experience or training you may expect to adjust your program accordingly, concentrating on areas of special interest. All students must fulfill each competency area for the number of credits indicated or submit a request for a waiver form to the Department of Environmental Studies.
Together with your advisor, you will develop a program plan during your first semester which will:
- describe planned practica;
- list the specific courses to be taken to develop needed competencies;
- indicate courses or requirements to be waived and why;
- indicate other special arrangements such as advanced standing, general education requirements which need to be met, etc.
Master of Science in Environmental Studies with Biology or General Science Certification
MS—50 credits
To earn the MS degree with certification in either Biology or General Science you must meet the general education requirements, and you must successfully complete a minimum of 50 credits, distributed as follows:
Required Courses are Listed Under Each Competency Area
| Foundation Areas | 18 credits |
Civic Ecology (6 credits)
|
|
Natural Communities (6 credits)
|
|
Biosphere Science (6 credits)
|
|
Major Requirements
|
28 credits |
| Electives | 4 credits |
Total Credits for MS in Environmental Studies
|
50 credits |
Master of Science in Environmental Studies with a Conservation Biology Concentration
MS—50 credits
To earn the MS degree in Environmental Studies, you must earn a minimum of 50 credits distributed as follows:
Required Courses are Listed Under Each Competency Area
| Foundation Courses | 18 credits |
Civic Ecology (6 credits)
|
|
Natural Communities (6 credits)
|
|
Biosphere Science (6 credits)
|
|
Major Requirements
|
32 credits |
Total Credits for MS in Environmental Studies
|
50 credits |
Master of Science in Environmental Studies with a Environmental Advocacy & Organizing Concentration
MS—50 credits
To earn the MS degree in Environmental Studies, you must earn a minimum of 50 credits distributed as follows:
Required Courses are Listed Under Each Competency Area
| Foundation Areas | 18 credits |
Civic Ecology (6 credits)
|
|
Natural Communities (6 credits)
|
|
Biosphere Science (6 credits)
|
|
Major Requirements
|
32 credits |
Total Credits for MS in Environmental Studies with a
|
50 credits |
Master of Science in Environmental Studies with a Environmental Education Concentration
MS—50 credits
Required Courses are Listed Under Each Competency Area
| Foundation Courses | 18 credits |
Civic Ecology (6 credits)
|
|
Natural Communities (6 credits)
|
|
Biosphere Science (6 credits)
|
|
Major Requirements
|
32 credits |
Total Credits for MS in Environmental Studies with
|
50 credits |
Master of Science in Environmental Studies with an Individualized Concentration
MS—50 credits
This program is designed for students with strong academic backgrounds in their concentration and significant work experience in the environmental field. Students interested in an individualized specialization must submit a program title, description and course plan to the program director for approval upon matriculation. The approved plan must then be placed in your academic record in the Registrar’s Office.
To earn an MS in Environmental Studies, Individualized Concentration, you must earn a minimum of 50 credits distributed as follows:
Required Courses are Listed Under Each Competency Area
| Foundation Areas | 18 credits |
Civic Ecology (6 credits)
|
|
Natural Communities (6 credits)
|
|
Biosphere Science (6 credits)
|
|
| Major Requirements | 32 credits |
| Individualized Program Plan (12 credits) | |
| Practicum with Seminar (8 credits) | |
| Master’s Thesis & Seminar (4 credits) | |
| OR | |
| Special Project (3 credits) | |
| Electives (8-9 credits) | |
Total Credits for MS in Environmental Studies with
|
50 credits |
Master of Science in Resource Management & Administration
MS—50 credits
To earn the MS degree in Resource Management & Administration you must earn a minimum of 50 credits distributed as follows:
Required Courses are Listed Under Each Competency Area
| Foundation Courses | 18 credits |
Civic Ecology (Environmental Issues) (6 credits)
|
|
Biosphere Science (6 credits)
|
|
Natural Communities (6 credits)
|
|
| Major Requirements | 32 credits |
| Professional Skills (11-12 credits) | |
|
|
Biosphere Science OR Natural Communities (4 credits)
|
|
Civic Ecology (4 credits)
|
|
Practicum and Seminar (8 credits)
|
|
| Masters Thesis & Seminar (4 credits) | |
| OR | |
| Special Project (3 credits) | |
| Electives (0-1 credits) | |
Total Credits for Master of Science
|
50 credits |
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies
PhD&nmdash;81 credits
The doctoral program in Environmental Studies is a four-year, full-time program. Students are required to attend classes for a two-week summer session during each of the four years of the program. They are also required to attend monthly weekend seminars during the first two years of the program, and bimonthly weekend seminars during the third and fourth years. The program also requires a weekly online conference commitment for specific classes. All of the courses described below are required courses, unless otherwise indicated.
Students have a maximum limit of ten years from the date of entry to complete all degree requirements, including the dissertation, and 81 to 90 semester-hour credits beyond the master’s. The student must complete the Service Project, and the Integrated Essay, and Dissertation Proposal before admission to Dissertation Candidacy.
Required Courses are Listed Under Each Competency Area
| Phase One: Foundation Courses | 22 credits |
|
|
Phase Two: Research Strategies and Learning Domain
|
24 credits |
Phase Three: Integrated Projects
|
18 credits |
Phase Four: The Dissertation Process
|
17 credits |
Total Credits for PhD in Environmental Studies |
81 credits |
