A five-year bachelors/masters program (JUMP program) is available to highly motivated and qualified students.  In this five-year course of study, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology; Environment, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies; or Geological Sciences; and a Master's Degree in Geoscience. JUMP students take undergraduate coursework that is applied to the B.S. degree and graduate coursework that can be applied to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.  This program provides highly motivated and qualified students with an excellent opportunity to earn a bachelors and Master’s degree in an expedited time frame.

• Must have completed or be currently enrolled in at least 21 credit hours of Colonnade Foundation and Exploration coursework, including appropriate foundation coursework in the major (i.e., GEOL 111/112/113/114 for the Geological Sciences Major; METR 121 for the Meteorology Major; GEOG 103 and 110 for the ESGS majors), or the equivalent of these classes.  
• A minimum of 60 credit hours earned and 15 or more credit hours remaining to complete the undergraduate degree.
• A minimum of 24 undergraduate hours earned at WKU.
• A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 for individuals earning their first baccalaureate degree.
• A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 for individuals earning their second baccalaureate degree.
• GRE is not required for JUMP.
• Must have at least one semester of supervised research experience with an EEAS faculty member (via course, paid research position, FUSE grant, or similar documented activity).
• Admission to the program is competitive and applicants will be evaluated by the Department’s Graduate Committee based on the description of research interests and CV/resume, along with other application materials, demonstrating outstanding achievements in activities in, but not limited to, one or more of the following areas: 

  Experience in scientific research at the undergraduate level Presentations (posters, talks) at scientific conferences Engagement in FUSE, grant-funded, or other completed, or in-progress, research activities Independent study course(s) with a research focus, internship experience, and/or mentored research projects (e.g., Honors thesis) Volunteer or community engagement in research, citizen science, or similar activities Publication of peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, proceedings volumes, or similar forms of published research activity Engagement in mentoring, tutoring, or related activities Membership and/or participation in professional, scientific, or academic organizations Ability to collaborate and communicate in written and oral formats demonstrated through course, research, student org, or volunteer activities Creative or extracurricular activities related to program outcomes Additional examples provided that demonstrate the potential to achieve academic excellence and conduct research at the graduate level

• For more information please see the new JUMP policy from the Graduate School here.
• Admission is competitive and a limited number of applicants will be accepted. 

• Ideally students will apply after the completion of 45 hours but before the completion of 60 hours of undergraduate credit. Students must submit:

  • The Statement of Intent
  • JUMP Application Form
  • One statement of supporting recommendation from a faculty member in the Department
  • Current resume or CV
  • Focused 1-2 page description of research interests, including potential research topics with an identified theme, defined problem, and/or potential questions that demonstrate knowledge of a field of interest within the Geosciences and how these intersect with current faculty expertise within the Department
• Applicants must complete an interview with the Graduate Program Coordinator and/or Department Chair that documents their eligibility and demonstrated area of research interest that aligns with Departmental faculty as part of the JUMP application.
• Application deadline is February 1. All application materials should be submitted to Dr. Jason Polk (jason.polk@wku.edu).  For more information, please contact the Department Chair in Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences or your program adviser.