Graduate Studies
Over 100 M.S. and Ph.D. students in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, as well as students in our new M.A. in Marine Conservation and Policy study at SoMAS. Our graduate programs stress rigorous, interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving.
SoMAS offers M.S. and PhD. Degrees in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, with concentrations in either Marine or Atmospheric Sciences, and a new M.A. in Marine Conservation and Policy. There are usually between 110 and 125 students enrolled in SoMAS graduate programs at any time. Students in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs are generally supported byteaching or research assistantship and receive full tuition scholarships. Students in the M.A. program generally are responsible for covering their own education costs.
The M.S. program prepares students to either continue on in a Ph.D. program or directly enter careers in environmental management and protection, or technical research positions in university, government or private sector laboratories where hands on project experience is desirable. A research thesis is required. The M.A. program prepares students for positions in environmental management or not for profit conservation organizations where communicating science to the general public is required, but actual research experience is not necessary. The M.A. will also provide a strong science based foundation for students wishing to pursue complementary education in fields such as law, business, management, journalism, or teaching. Students complete the M.S. program in an average of 2.5 years. The M.A. program is designed to be completed in twelve months.
The Ph.D. degree prepares students for faculty research and teaching positions, Positions as research scientists at government or private sector laboratories, and management positions at nongovernmental organizations. It is not necessary to have a masters degree to apply to the Ph.D. program.
M.S. and Ph.D. students may choose to specialize in any one of the research topics currently pursued by SoMAS faculty. In addition to formal coursework, students in the M.A. program complete either an internship with a conservation groups or agency, or a capstone project on a topic related to marine conservation and policy. M.A. students may choose to work with a member of the SoMAS faculty on their project. Visit our research and faculty pages to learn about potential areas of specialization.
Currently there are more than 700 SoMAS Graduate School alumni, most of whom hold positions in fields associated with marine and atmospheric sciences all over the world.
