Environmental Studies - MS

Master of Science in Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies – MS6956

Environmental Studies Program
Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service
Building 21, The Ridges
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740.593.9381
gvsinfo@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall,

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: 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.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/voinovich-school/environmental-studies

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
A personal interview is desirable but not required
Scores from a standardized test such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are optional
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.

Graduation Requirements

The MSES degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours as follows:

Core Courses

Complete all of the following courses:

Research Methods

Complete a minimum of one research methods course as approved by the program director.

(*Note: PSY 6100 and 6111 must be taken together to fulfill this requirement.)

Electives

Complete a minimum of four elective courses. At least one course must be a graduate-level ES course.

Research or Thesis Credits

Complete a minimum of 1 hour from among the following courses:

Leadership Practicum

Students in the non-thesis/leadership practicum track only must complete a minimum of 1 hour of ES practicum.

ES 6920 - Environmental Leadership Practicum

Culminating Experience

Students have three options for the culminating experience: a thesis, a leadership practicum, or a mentored writing project.

Students opting to complete a thesis or leadership practicum must first prepare a proposal and successfully orally defend the proposal before a three-person faculty committee (plus partner representative for leadership practicum). The thesis or practicum itself must also be orally defended before a three-person faculty committee (plus partner representative for leadership practicum).

Students choosing to complete a mentored research project do so under the guidance of a three-person faculty committee, with the aim of composing a document for a specific publication outlet. Papers submitted for publication will list both the student and faculty members as authors.