Environmental Science M.S.

Program Details

Credit Hours: 30

Course Length: 16 weeks

Estimated Program Length: 24 to 30 months

Next Application Deadline: See Application Deadlines quicklink

Program duration may depend on course load and availability. Consult with your advisor.

Environmental science touches on many of the biggest challenges the world faces today. As a UWF environmental science master's student, you will gain an understanding about the complex relationships between mankind and the environment, drawing on a diverse range of disciplines.

Why Study Environmental Science at UWF?

At UWF, our master's students get opportunities that only doctoral students get at larger universities.

With small classes and approachable faculty members, UWF offers you advanced research and educational opportunities like no other.

The program includes both thesis and non-thesis tracks. Both tracks provide a foundation for employment in the private and public sectors. In addition, the thesis track prepares students for advanced study leading to the doctoral degree. The majority of students who apply for an assistantship receive one. Other financial support is available. Internships are encouraged.

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What You Will Learn

Throughout the program, you will learn key concepts and build upon foundations in geosciences, geographic information systems and environmental science.

Departmental areas of concentration include:

Coastal science
Geographic information science
Soil science
Dendrochronology
Meteorology/climatology
Human-environment interactions
Environmental planning, policy and politics

There are many opportunities for research and other experiential learning.

UWF offers classes through various delivery methods, including face-to-face, hybrid, and online. Though UWF makes every effort to provide on-campus classes in face-to-face programs, there is a possibility that some classes will have limited availability and may be offered online only. For more information, please review the modes of delivery and instructional methods.

Courses

Interested in the online version of this program?

Earn your master's degree on a schedule that works for you by taking synchronous (real-time) courses.

Visit Online Environmental Science M.S.

Courses & Requirements

Students accepted into the M.S. program should select, ideally by the end of their first semester, their graduate advisor and graduate committee members. At least two committee members must be Earth and Environmental Sciences faculty. Students also need to select the thesis or non-thesis track following consultation with their graduate advisor. Detailed graduate guidelines will be provided to the students by the department. A grade of B- or better is required for all course requirements.

Core Requirements

EVR 6930 - Special Topics in Environmental Sciences
GEO 6936 - Graduate Seminar
Choose one of the following:
- EVS 6196C - Sampling and Analysis in Environmental Sciences
- GIS 6110 - Advanced Topics in Geographic Information Science

Thesis Requirements

The thesis track entails a total of 30 semester hours (sh) (including the courses in the Environmental Science core), of which 15 sh must be at the 6000 level and may include up to 6 sh of thesis. The remaining hours must be at the 5000 level or higher.

EVS 6971 - Thesis (Course offered 1-6 sh per semester)

Core Requirements

GEO 6936 - Graduate Seminar
GEO 6118 - Research Design
EVR 6930 - Special Topics in Environmental Sciences

Non-Thesis Requirements

The non-thesis track entails a total of 30 semester hours (sh) (including the courses in the Environmental Science core), of which 15 must be at the 6000 level and may include up to 3 sh of internship. The remaining hours must be at the 5000 level or higher. As many as three courses may be from outside the department, including two from outside the University. The detailed program of study will be determined by the graduate advisor in consultation with the student.

Preferred Application Dates (For Assistantships)

Fall: February 15
Spring: October 1
Summer: February 15

To ensure consideration for all available graduate funding, applicants should submit applications received by the listed Preferred Application Date. Applications received after these dates will be reviewed for admission, but may not be eligible for funding. Applicants should contact the appropriate graduate coordinator or department chair for more information.

Graduate Application Deadlines

Fall: August 1
Spring: November 1
Summer: April 1

Application deadlines for most graduate programs. Applicants should contact the appropriate graduate coordinator or department chair for more information.

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements described in the Admissions section of the catalog, the applicant must meet the following minimum departmental admission requirements for regular admission:

Submission of a formal letter of interest, background, and professional goals
Submission of three letters of recommendation by individuals in professionally relevant fields (waived for graduates of the UWF Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences)
Submission of current curriculum vitae (CV)/résumé
Completion of the Foundational Proficiencies as a condition of admission to the program
In addition to general University requirements, students seeking the M.S. in Environmental Science must meet the requirements listed below.

Letter of Interest

In their Letter of Interest, we request that students outline their:

Career goals
- Why you want to go to Graduate School
- What you hope to achieve with your degree
- How our program at UWF will help you accomplish those goals (be specific; what is it about this program that is right for you?)
Academic / Environmental Science interests
- Soils, Coastal, Climate, Environmental Science, Geospatial/GIS, other
- Online or Face-to-Face
  - If face-to-face, Non-thesis or Thesis (please indicate if you have communicated with a prospective thesis advisor)
Related experience and accomplishments
Relevant coursework and skills

Foundational Proficiencies

A college-level course in chemistry
Two upper-level science courses in the geo-, earth, or environmental sciences
Two upper-level techniques courses (e.g., GIS, aerial photo interpretation, remote sensing, field methods, analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, etc.)
An upper-level course in statistics or quantitative methods

Students without the equivalents of any of the above courses will be advised to enroll in a suite of appropriate foundational courses prior to being considered for admittance to the M.S. program. Students having some of the foundational proficiencies may be admitted to the M.S. program with the understanding that the missing courses be taken during the first year of graduate study.

Of the foundational proficiencies, only statistics (GEO 5165 Geostatistics or STA 5176 Statistical Modeling) may be taken for graduate credit and be included in the graduate program of study.

Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our graduate admissions team at gradadmissions@uwf.edu.

Full Course Descriptions Registration Requirements

Careers & Outcomes

A master's degree in environmental science equips graduates with the knowledge and expertise to address pressing environmental challenges, preparing them for careers in conservation, environmental policy, sustainability consulting, and research.

Job Titles

Environmental Scientists
Geoscientists
Natural Resource Manager
Conservation Officer
Environmental Science Teachers (Postsecondary)

Career Outlook

Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 (faster than average)
The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists was $76,480 in May 2022

Source: BLS, 2024

Tuition Rate Per Credit Hour

Environmental Science M.S. Tuition
Component	Cost*	Total*
In-state Tuition	$377.60 per credit hour	$11,328
Out-of-state Tuition	$1,037.24 per credit hour	$31,117.20

Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted.

Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Alabama, Military & Financial Aid

Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition

Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. To verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar. See Graduate School Tuition & Fees for more information.

Military & Veterans

The UWF Military & Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) serves as the campus advocate for military, dependents and veteran students. Contact the MVRC to learn more about the various military and veteran education assistance or tuition waiver opportunities and eligibility requirements.

UWF Financial Assistance

The University of West Florida offers various financial aid options for our students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students. We provide eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan. See Graduate School Funding Opportunities for more information.