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M.S. Degree in Geoscience


 

About the Program

The GEOSCIENCE graduate program provides advanced professional training for careers as hydrologists, environmental resource managers, city and regional planners, engineering geologists, geophysical and geochemical geologists, meteorologists and climatologists, earth science teachers, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialists, consultants in business and industry, and professional educators. The program also provides a scientific foundation for graduate students who plan to continue advanced studies leading to the Ph.D.

Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)

This degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in approximately five years.  Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.

Click here for more information on JUMP program.

 

Program Admission
  • A competitive GRE score is required with an analytical writing component.
  • A resume or CV.
  • Official transcripts from all previous institutions. 
  • 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.
  • Written evidence of an agreement from a graduate faculty member in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences willing to supervise the proposed research project.
  • Separate application for Graduate Assistantship funding submitted directly to the Department (if requesting funding).
  • Other application requirement for Domestic applicants are available at Domestic Degree Seeking.
  • Other application requirement for International applicants are available at International Degree Seeking.
Graduate School Admission
Please visit this site for Graduate School admission requirements.

 

Application Deadline
  • Application deadline  is February 1st for Fall admission and November 1st for Spring Admission.
  • Admission applications are available online and submitted directly to WKU Graduate School at Graduate Applications (Domestic and International Applicants-Masters Degree)
  • Graduate Assistantship application for the Academic Year must be received by February 1st. Assistantship funds are awarded on academic year basis only. There is typically no funding opportunities for Spring semester only. Graduate Assistantship application is available here to apply.
  • Copies of Supporting documents (statement of research goals and faculty supervisor agreement) should be directly sent to the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences- Attn: Graduate Committee
  • Renewal application for the Second Academic Year Graduate Assistantship funding should be received in the Graduate School office by February 1st. Graduate Assistantship Continuation Application is available here to apply.

 

Program Requirements (30 credit hour graduate courses)
Required Courses  
GEOS 500 Geoscience Research and Literacy 3
GEOS 502 Geoscience Research Methods 3
GEOS 520 Geoscience Statistical Methods 3
GEOS 599 Thesis Writing and Research 6
Electives  

Select 15 hours elective GEOS graduate courses appropriate to support the thesis research project and approved by the thesis director*

*A maximum of six hours of advisor approved electives that are consistent with the student's research focus may be selected from other departments.

15
Total Hours 30

 

 

Travel Forms and Information

 

Graduate School Forms and Information

 

Contact

Geoscience Program Coordinator

Dr. Jason Polk, jason.polk@wku.edu, (270) 745-5015

 


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 Last Modified 1/2/22