Mar 28, 2024  
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2017-19 
    
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2017-19 [Archived Catalog]

Environmental Studies - MS


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Degree Title: Master of Science in Environmental Studies

Program Name and Number: Environmental Studies - MS6956

Department/Unit: Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring

Program Mission: The mission of the program is to equip students to understand and solve environmental problems, by integrating perspectives of biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities.  

Program Learning Objectives:

  • Complete an interdisciplinary curriculum that optimizes understanding of the environment;
  • Formulate research questions and implement methods to answer these questions;
  • Express an enhanced understanding of environmental issues in the form of a thesis or leadership practicum;
  • Demonstrate improvement in written and oral communication skills through numerous opportunities for preparing written reports and presenting orally;
  • Participate in learning activities that provide service to the university and community; and
  • Prepare for environmental careers in the public or private sectors or for doctoral programs in environmental fields.

Program Overview: Founded in 1970 as an interdisciplinary graduate program, the Environmental Studies Program follows a learning-by-doing model of research, study, and application on a range of cross-cutting issues. Housed within the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, the program enables students to grapple with pressing environmental and energy problems through in-depth academic research and training, hands-on project experiences with public and private profit and nonprofit sector partners, and professional publishing and presentation opportunities. The program offers a broader academic experience than a traditional course of study can provide. It gives students the flexibility to pursue coursework, research, skill-building, and applied project work that spans numerous disciplines and responds to the dynamic needs of today’s workforce.  Students work closely with faculty, professional staff, and external partners on challenges that range from local to global and the connections to all levels in between. Whether it is unearthing the water impacts of energy extraction, identifying sustainable second generation biofuels, or responding to emerging climate change and security linkages, dynamic faculty-student-staff teams are responding to the cutting edge challenges of the 21st century.

Opportunities for Graduates: The MSES degree provides students a multi-disciplinary foundation to address complex environmental challenges that require expertise across the natural, physical, and social sciences. Building on that foundation, the thesis and leadership practicum options foster in-depth expertise in a chosen issue area. Students are well-prepared to hit the ground running in the working world after training in the hands-on, applied learning-by-doing model with close collaboration with faculty, professional staff, and external partners.   

Link to Program: http://www.ohio.edu/envstu

Link to Program Handbook: Students may request a copy of the Program Handbook from the Environmental Studies Program office at mses@ohio.edu.

Graduation Requirements: The MSES degree requires students to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours (thesis) or 40 credit hours (leadership practicum). Students must complete either a thesis or a leadership practicum. There is no qualifying exam or comprehensive exam. Expected time to degree is two years for full time students.

  1. Complete all core classes: Concepts in Sustainability; Society and the Environment; Community Based Environmental Studies; Ecology and Environmental Issues; and Special Topics
  2. Complete one research methods course
  3. Complete at least four elective courses
  4. Complete at least 1 credit hour of Environmental Studies Thesis or Environmental Studies Research
  5. For the leadership practicum option, complete seminar in Environmental Leadership and Environmental Studies Practicum
  6. Prepare a thesis or leadership practicum proposal and successfully orally defend the proposal before a three person faculty committee (plus partner representative for leadership practicum)
  7. Prepare a thesis or leadership practicum and successfully orally defend it before a three person faculty committee (plus partner representative for leadership practicum)

Culminating Experience: The culminating experience for MSES students is a thesis or a leadership practicum that is orally defended before a three-person faculty committee (plus a partner representative for the leadership practicum).

Admission Requirements:

  • A letter of intent detailing proposed topics of study within Ohio University’s applied learning experience. Applicants should connect proposed topics with their academic background, skills, and relevant work experience. This letter of intent is also evaluated as a writing sample.
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Undergraduate degree transcripts
  • A list of three Ohio University faculty members whose classes or research connect most directly to intended areas of study
  • Scores from a standardized test such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  • A personal interview is desirable but not required.
  • Meet university-wide English language proficiency requirements 

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