Master's in Earth System Science & Policy Requirements

Complete these requirements for a master's in Earth System Science & Policy.

Admission Requirements

Applicants who are seeking admission to the School of Graduate Studies must meet all of the minimum general education requirements identified in the graduate catalog. In addition, students must fulfill the requirements below for admission to the Earth System Science and Policy M.S. degree program.

  1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. Have satisfactorily completed a minimum of college-level algebra plus 3 credits of college statistics or calculus.
  3. Have completed a minimum of 12 semester credits in the natural or physical sciences, e.g., physics, chemistry, geosciences, biology or related sciences.
  4. Have earned a minimum average GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, on all upper division college-level coursework.
  5. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog. 
  6. Submit a personal statement which describes the applicants academic and/or professional background and experience, as well as their interest in pursuing a M.S. degree in Earth System Science and Policy.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Earth System Science and Policy Department.

The overarching goal of all the degree programs offered in Earth System Science and Policy is to facilitate the acquisition of skills required to solve environmental problems or to seize opportunities presented by a changing environment. Much of the responsibility for learning rests upon the student.

  1. Students enrolled in the M.S. program will take the following sequence of courses, which typically will be completed during the first year of study.
    ESSP 503Environmental Policy Science3
    ESSP 504The Biosphere3
    ESSP 505Energy Issues and Earth Systems3
    ESSP 506Ecosystem Services: Valuing Nature in a Market Society3
    ESSP 507Earth Systems Processes and Vulnerability Analysis3
    ESSP 590Colloquium Series2
  2. A minimum of 36 credits beyond the baccalaureate is required, including six to nine credits for thesis.
  3. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500 level.
  4. A maximum of one-fourth (usually 8-9 semester credits) of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
  5. By the end of the first semester the student will select a chair of her/his Advisory Committee and, in consultation with that chair, recommend membership on the Advisory Committee by the end of the second semester. The Advisory Committee will have 3 members, at least two of whom must be from the ESSP faculty. If the student is pursuing a minor concurrently with the M.S. in ESSP, one of the committee members will be from the department of the minor.
  6. Students must file with the School of Graduate Studies an approved program of study before the completion of fifteen credits of coursework.
  7. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 from the start of the graduate program in ESSP, and comply with the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies. Grades poorer than “C” will not be accepted as fulfilling degree requirements.
  8. M.S. students must successfully defend a thesis proposal to qualify for candidacy in the Master of Science program. This will occur no later than the end of the third semester of coursework and will entail a 15 to 20 page written description and an oral presentation of their intended research project.
  9. Successful completion, and oral defense, of a thesis is required for the M.S. degree.
  10. All exams will be administered and evaluated by the student’s Advisory Committee.
    ESSP 503Environmental Policy Science3
    ESSP 504The Biosphere3
    ESSP 505Energy Issues and Earth Systems3
    ESSP 506Ecosystem Services: Valuing Nature in a Market Society3
    ESSP 507Earth Systems Processes and Vulnerability Analysis3
    ESSP 590Colloquium Series2
    Electives10-15
    ESSP 998Thesis4-9
    Total Credits31-41

Admission Requirements

The Master of Environmental Management is a Professional Master’s Degree Program (PSM) designed for students seeking a non-research-based master’s degree, and is particularly suited for those who are working professionals interested in expanding their knowledge based, critical thinking ability, and technical skill. This program is geared towards those with a strong background in environmental and sustainability science, and environmental policy by providing advanced quantitative and analytical knowledge, integrated geospatial technology skills, and a breath of professional component that includes business, economics, and communication. This program is recognized and approved by the National Professional Science Master’s Association.

Applicants who are seeking admission to the School of Graduate Studies must meet all the minimum general education requirements identified in the graduate catalog. In addition, students must fulfill the requirements below for admission to the Earth System Science and Policy M.E.M. degree program.

  1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. Have satisfactorily completed a minimum of college-level algebra plus 3 credits of college statistics or calculus.
  3. Have completed a minimum of 6 semester credit hours in natural sciences and 6 semester credits in social sciences, e.g., economics, sociology, psychology, political science, anthropology/archeology, or related fields.
  4. Have earned a minimum average GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, on all upper division college-level coursework.
  5. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Environmental Management degree through the Department of Earth System Science & Policy at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Earth System Science & Policy Department.

The overarching goal of the Professional Science Master degree: Master of Environmental Management is to offer an interdisciplinary-oriented education required by professionals who are working towards a sustainable management of Earth's systems and resources. Much of the responsibility for learning rests upon the student.

  1. A minimum of 30 credits is required, including six credits for an Internship/applied project.
  2. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500 level.
  3. A maximum of nine semester credits may be transferred from another institution.
  4. By the end of the first semester the student will select a chair of her/his Advisory Committee and, in consultation with that chair, recommend two members to serve on the Advisory Committee by the end of the second semester.
  5. Students must file an approved program of study with the School of Graduate Studies at the end of the second semester.
  6. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 from the start of the graduate program in ESSP, and comply with the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies. Grades poorer than “C” will not be accepted as fulfilling degree requirements.
  7. A minimum of 12 credits of advanced disciplinary coursework, including the Internship/applied project, selected in collaboration with the student’s advisor and approved by the program’s graduate director. Two courses have to be selected out of five possible ESSP graduate core courses. 
    ESSP 503Environmental Policy Science3
    ESSP 504The Biosphere3
    ESSP 505Energy Issues and Earth Systems3
    ESSP 506Ecosystem Services: Valuing Nature in a Market Society3
    ESSP 507Earth Systems Processes and Vulnerability Analysis3
  8. Up to 9 credits of PSM Quantitative/Analytic core courses selected in collaboration with the student’s advisor and approved by the program’s graduate director.
  9. Up to 9 credits of Professional Knowledge and skills PSM core courses selected in collaboration with the student’s advisor and approved by the program’s graduate director.
  10. Internship or Applied project defense proposal: students will complete a written and oral presentation to introduce and defend their Internship or Applied project.  These will occur no later than one month before leaving for the internship or beginning working on the applied project and will entail a written description and an oral presentation of their intended internship/M.E.M. project.
  11. Preparation of a comprehensive written report of the internship/applied project with an appropriate organization. The written report will be in the form of an Independent Study Report, following the guidelines and procedures set by the School of Graduate Studies.
  12. A formal defense of the student’s internship/applied project. Students shall also provide the ESSP internship/applied project evaluation form completed and signed by their internship/applied project advisor. 

     
    Advanced Disciplinary - Select 2 out of 5 (ESSP 503-ESSP 507)6
    ESSP 503
    		Environmental Policy Science
    ESSP 504
    		The Biosphere
    ESSP 505
    		Energy Issues and Earth Systems
    ESSP 506
    		Ecosystem Services: Valuing Nature in a Market Society
    ESSP 507
    		Earth Systems Processes and Vulnerability Analysis
    ESSP 597Internship4
    ESSP 997Independent Study2
    Core PSM Qualitative/Analytical9
    Core PSM Professional Skills9
    Total Credits30

The requirements on this page are pulled from UND’s academic catalog and may not reflect future terms. Updates are published annually in April.

Graduate Admissions Requirements

In addition to meeting these program requirements, you must also meet the UND School of Graduate Studies admissions requirements to apply for this program.

Graduate Requirements

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies, Privacy Information.