Degree Title and Name: 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
Term(s) of Entry: Fall, Spring
Program Overview: 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. Students may enroll full-time or part-time. Students taking a full-time course load typically complete the program in 1 year 8 months.
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Describe environmental concepts and methods;
- Formulate research questions and implement methods to answer these questions;
- Evaluate environmental issues from an interdisciplinary perspective;
- Demonstrate written and oral communication skills, and;
- Describe the value of community engagement
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 following requirements must be satisfied to graduate.
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.
- Core classes: ES 6800 Community-Based Environmental Studies; ES 6810 Environment and Society; ES 6820 Ecology and Environmental Issues; ES 6830 Concepts in Environmental Sustainability; and ES 6900 Special Topics
- One research methods course
- At least four elective courses
- At least 1 credit hour of ES 6950 Environmental Studies Thesis or ES 6940 Environmental Studies Research
- For the leadership practicum option, complete seminar in ES 6840 Environmental Leadership and ES 6920 Environmental Studies Practicum
- 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)
- 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
International Students: This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.
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