MS in Environmental Studies: Self-Designed Study
Location: AU New England
Credits for Degree: 36 semester credits
Standard Mode of Instruction: Classroom, Fieldwork
Standard time to completion: 33 months
Program Overview
The MS in Environmental Studies degree requires a minimum of three semesters and 36 credits. There are a few commonalities across all the Environmental Science degree concentrations that are apparent as students look through the following requirements and descriptions. All MS degrees have a combination of coursework and application in the field. There will be some field work in particular courses, through an internship, and a culminating academic experience. All MS students in ES are expected to:
- Take three core courses (9 credits), and,
- Identify a concentration area (6 credits required courses, 15 credits of methods/electives) in which to specialize; and,
- Complete an appropriate professional internship (3 credits) , and,
- Complete a capstone requirement (3 credits) in the form of a master’s project, thesis, collaborative service initiative, or a second professional internship.
Six concentrations described below, one of which is self-designed. All ES MS concentrations have the same set of core courses, except the MS with Science Teaching Certification, the description of which follows the other concentrations below. Courses required for concentrations are divided into specific academic content areas or methods courses in which students can acquire knowledge and develop skills in topics identified by faculty as useful in the field.
Students are to develop knowledge and skills, in the areas listed on the following pages. Together with their advisors, students are required to develop a program plan, during their first semester, which indicates:
- The specific concentration and methods courses to be taken to develop needed expertise, and the semester in which each is planned;
- The type of capstone the student plans to complete;
- Whether the Professional Science Master’s designation is planned and which courses will be taken to fulfill the requirements (i.e., 18 STEM and 12 PLUS course credits); and;
- Any special arrangements such as advanced standing, or general education requirements which will need to be met.
All students must complete the core, concentration, and methods/elective courses for the number of credits indicated or have an approved waiver form on file with the Department of Environmental Studies and the University Registrar.
Self-Designed Concentration
This program is designed for students with strong academic backgrounds in their discipline and significant work experience in the environmental field. Students interested in self-designed studies must submit a program title, description, and course plan to the Director of Self-Designed Studies for approval upon matriculation. The approved plan must then be placed in students’ academic records in the Registrar’s office.
Current Tuition and Fees
University Tuition and Fees
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