subscribe to feed

Program Requirements

The MS in Environmental Science and Policy is intended to be highly flexible to meet the needs of individual students.  The degree requires a minimum of 30 total credits with six credits for a thesis or research project and 24 course credits, including six credits of field courses.

Students work with their advisor to develop a Program of Study (PDF) which is approved by the Environmental Science and Policy Program Coordinator. This Program of Study includes at least one course in each of the four categories (PDF) of social science, communications, terrestrial science, and aquatic science. All students are required to take the Graduate Science Colloquium Series.

To expand the field courses offered, Plymouth State University has a partnership agreement with the Humboldt Field Research Institute in Steuben, Maine (HFRI). HFRI offers week-long, intensive field courses which are taught by a diverse and revolving international faculty. Up to six pass-fail graduate credits may be taken at HFRI.

Student theses and research projects focus on issues important to the regional environment, and include an outreach component to provide communication experience.

Full-time graduate students are encouraged to enroll in the summer, to get a jump-start on thesis research and to have the opportunity to complete their programs within two years.  Part-time students can set their own schedule depending on personal needs.  Most graduate courses will be offered one day per week in the late afternoon or early evening, to minimize the disruptions to the work schedules of part-time students, and to facilitate field research.

Additional information for enrolled students is found in the Policy and Guideline Handbook for Students and Faculty.