Address today's environmental challenges with your Master's in Science (M.S.) in Environmental Studies with options in Atmospheric Science or Environmental Geoscience.听

At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • 51视频
    MS

MS in Environmental Studies

Options in Atmospheric Science and Environmental Geoscience

With 51视频's Master of Science in Environmental Science, you will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to address issues related to the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere.听

Choose an option to align your degree with your academic interests and career goals.

  • Atmospheric Science Option听鈥� Designed for students interested in weather forecasting, atmospheric pollution, wind energy and related topics. In addition to courses in meteorology and atmospheric sciences, the curriculum includes requirements in environmental policy, economics, energy and the environment.
  • Environmental Geoscience Option听鈥� Designed for students to gain knowledge and skills to conduct research and act as consultants in environmental sciences and geosciences.听Courses are distributed across two areas 鈥� Policy/Economics and Environmental Geoscience.

Interested in an engineering focus area? Visit our听M.S. in Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering Studies Option.

Program Quick Facts

  • GRE Not Required
  • Scholarships & Financial Aid Available
  • STEM-Designated 51视频 Program
  • F1 Visa Eligible

Environmental Studies Curriculum

The M.S. in Environmental Studies is a 30-credit master's degree with an optional thesis. Numerous opportunities for experiential learning in the field are available.

This is a 30-credit program.

Area I. Policy / Economics (choose 1)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PUBH.5500Environmental Law and Policy3
ECON.6150Environment and Natural Resources Economics3
ENVI.5200Methods in Environmental Impact Assessment and Analysis3
Total3
Area II. Core Courses
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
ATMO.5010Boundary Layer Meteorology3
ATMO.5080The Climate System3
ATMO.5100Regional Weather and Climate Modeling3
Area III. Elective Courses (Select 4 from either IIIA or IIIB - 12 credits)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total12
XXXX.XXXXCourse from IIIA or IIIB listed below3
XXXX.XXXXCourse from IIIA or IIIB3
XXXX.XXXXCourse from IIIA or IIIB3
XXXX.XXXXCourse from any area III3

IIIA. Atmospheric Science

  • ATMO.5020 Advanced Synoptic Meteorology (3 credits)
  • ATMO.5030 Remote Sensing (3 credits)
  • ATMO.5110听Solar Terrestrial Relations (3 credits)
  • ATMO.5150听Atmospheric Structure and Dynamics (3 credits)
  • ATMO.5160听Mesoscale Atmospheric Dynamics (3 credits)
  • ATMO.5240听Simple Atmospheric Models (3 credits)
  • ATMO.5290听Advanced Forecasting (3 credits)
  • ATMO.5400听Tropical Meteorology (3 credits)
  • ATMO.5500听Satellite & Radar Meteorology (3 credits)
  • ATMO.7330听Master's Research in Atmospheric Science (1-6 credits)
  • GEOL.5010听Paleoclimatology (3 credits)

IIIB. Energy and Environment

  • ATMO.5230听Air Pollution Control (3 credits)
  • ATMO.5710听Air Pollution (3 credits)
  • ATMO.6740听Air Quality Modeling (3 credits)
  • ENVI.5720听Energy and Environment (3 credits)
  • PUBH.6191听Measurement of Chemical Exposures (3 credits)
  • MECH.5210听Solar Fundamentals (3 credits)
  • MECH.5810听Advanced Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)
  • RADI.5240听Environmental Health Physics (3 credits)

Other Appropriate graduate level courses within or outside the department may be substituted for the above with the approval of the student's advisor and the Graduate Coordinator or designee.

Area III. (Select 1)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total6
Total Credits = 30 credits
ATMO.7430Thesis Track: Master's in Atmospheric Science Thesis1-6
XXXX.XXXX Non Thesis Track: 2 courses from any Area III 6

This is a 30-credit program.

Area I. Policy / Economics (Elect 1)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total3
ENVI.5200Methods in Environmental Impact Assessment and Analysis听3
PUBH.5500Environmental Law and Policy3
ECON.6150Environmental and Natural3
Area II. Environmental Geoscience (Elect 6)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total18听
XXXX.XXXXChoose from the list below3




Additional Credits
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
XXXX.XXXXElective from any Area (Elect 1)3
XXXX.XXXXThesis (6 credits) OR 2 courses from the above Areas for the non-thesis pathway6

Elective List


Any other GEOL or ENVI course at the 5000-8000 level can be taken. Course of relevance in the other departments may be accepted with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

*Up to听9 credits of coursework may be taken in other departments. The sum of core and elective courses must total at least 30 credits.

Total Credits = 30

Last updated: 6/25/20

Why Study Environmental Studies at 51视频?

Man working with rocks in Antarctica

Hands-on Research

Gain a competitive edge by conducting听research with faculty in forecasting, climate modeling, hydrology, surface processes or geochemistry/petrology.
Christopher Skinner points at the pyranometer. Image by Brooke Coupal

Laboratories & Resources

51视频 has a range of laboratories and resources for teaching and research, including the听51视频 Weather Station; fully equipped weather, environmental geoscience and modern gamma ray spectroscopy laboratories; a research reactor; ground-penetrating radar equipment and extensive rock, mineral and fossil collections.

Environmental Studies Career Outlook

  • +6%

    Projected new job growth in environmental scientist careers听

    (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024)
  • $102,700

    Average salary for environmental scientists听

    (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024)
Environmental Science student Abraham Mudoola harvests peppers on O鈥橪eary Library rooftop garden at 51视频.

Where Our Graduates Work

  • NOAA National Weather Service
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Department of Energy
  • United States Geological Survey
  • Environmental consulting firms
  • Teachers at local high schools听
  • MIT Lincoln Labs

Tuition and Admissions

Eligible students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial assistance.

View Estimated Annual Tuition and Fees for the 2025 - 2026 Academic Year

As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal student aid and other need-based scholarships. To be considered for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).听Learn more at 51视频 Graduate Aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens. Please visit听Financial Aid听if you have questions about your eligibility.

  • Application:
    • ,
  • Application Fee: $50
  • Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (maximum 2 pages).
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's, three (3) for doctoral applicants.
  • Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but if accepted, official transcripts are required. We do not accept opened, photocopied, emailed PDFs or faxed official transcripts.
  • Test Scores: 51视频鈥檚 school code is 3911. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are only required for the following programs:
    • Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science,
    • Medical Physics and Radiological Sciences.
    • Some programs will waive the test score requirements under certain conditions.

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed. To add documents before review, log in and select 鈥淧rogram Materials.鈥�

Chemistry and Polymer Science Ph.D. Applicants

All required documents are due to the Office of Graduate Admissions by February 15 for full Fall consideration. Applications received after this date will be reviewed for the next semester.

International Applicants

A transcript evaluation is required for the M.S. in Biological Sciences and Ph.D. in Applied Biology.

International transcripts must indicate completion of a four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree (equivalent of an American bachelor's degree) before an application will be processed. The Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credentials evaluated.听听Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee from:

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country鈥檚 national language, please submit one of the following scores:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
  • Duolingo: 115+
  • ASC English: Level 6+
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53+

Please note:

  • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is not required.
  • Statement of Purpose: EEAS recognizes that students have encountered hardships and barriers that may have impacted their academic performance. We welcome all prospective students to address these in their Statement of Purpose.听
  • Applications for the Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Studies, Atmospheric Science and Environmental Geoscience Options, are accepted year round, but it is recommended that completed application be submitted several months before expected matriculation.

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Start your online application today!

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Find Graduate Resources

Questions? Contact Us!

Phone:
800-656-4723 (U.S. Students)
978-934-2390 (International Students)

Email:听
Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu