The Master of Science degree in Environmental Science is a 30-credit hour graduate program for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a science discipline including, but not limited to, chemistry, biology, environmental science, fisheries, geology, forestry, wildlife, or fisheries. The Program’s design is to enhance knowledge of environmental science and skills in problem-solving environmental issues culminating in either a thesis or project management of water, air, or soil remediation. This program will prepare students for professional careers, advancement in current professional positions, or doctoral programs.

Modality

The modality of the Program will be a hybrid format. The bulk (80%) of the coursework will be online with 20% labs and field experiences planned for weekends or summers to accommodate working student schedules. This flexibility will afford full-time government employees to participate in coursework while maintaining current employment.

Admission

Admission will be competitive and based on the criteria listed below. Students seeking admission to the MSES program must have:

• completed a baccalaureate degree in a science field from an accredited institution or be in the final semester before degree completion.

• Provide official transcripts directly from the college or university that issued the baccalaureate degree to the Fairmont State University Office of Admissions. (Applicants cannot be admitted without an official transcript on file with the Office of Enrollment Services at Fairmont State University.)

All residents seeking admission to the MSES must meet the minimum standards established by the University. Applicants must also be approved for admission by the Program Director or designee of the MSES Program.

Application material will include the following:
i.Undergraduate degree in a science field
ii.Transcripts from undergraduate institutions showing science background coursework
iii.Three letters of recommendation with a minimum of two from undergraduate or graduate instructors or science professional supervisors.
iv.A letter of intent summarizing their desire to pursue the MSES degree.

Qualifications:
•Completion of a baccalaureate degree in the sciences, with a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average or a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale on the student’s last sixty semester hours of baccalaureate degree courses.
•Undergraduate/graduate course credit for 3 or more semester hours each of statistics and college algebra (or above) with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
•Undergraduate/graduate course credit with a grade of ‘C’ or better in two introductory chemistry courses, two introductory biology courses, and two introductory physics courses, one introductory course in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and introductory environmental science. (Any undergraduate coursework deficiencies can be made up during the first year.)
•A writing sample of 500 words or more that include the applicant’s goals and objectives for pursuing and completing this graduate degree.
•International Students must submit the results from the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL) if English is not their primary language. Scores must be equal to or greater than 79 (TOEFL iBT) or 213 (TOEFL CBT). Note, International Students who have studied for at least 4 years in the United States are not required to submit TOEFL scores.