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    Mar 29, 2024  
American University Catalog 2020-2021 
    
American University Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Science (MS)


Admission to the Program


In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, students must have completed one year of calculus and one year of laboratory science (biology, chemistry, geology, or physics). A semester or more of economics is recommended. Admission is based on academic record, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

The Program offers two tracks to the MS degree, a thesis option and a coursework option with internship. During the first semester of academic study, the student choosing the MS with thesis option should identify the professor to work with and notify the graduate advisor, in writing, of their decision. Students who choose the coursework and internship option should identify and secure their position during their first year in the program.

Degree Requirements


  • 36 credit hours of approved graduate work
  • One comprehensive examination; a maximum of two attempts is permitted
  • Capstone experience: 3 credit hours of ENVS-689  and one of the following:
    • Nonthesis option: 3 credit hours of approved coursework in ENVS-690 /ENVS-691 
    • Thesis option: 6 credit hours of ENVS-797  and completed thesis.  A research proposal must be accepted by the student’s advisor, the graduate studies committee, and the department chair, at least one semester prior to the oral defense of the thesis

Course Requirements


Geographic Information Systems (3 credit hours)


Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Required (3 credit hours)


Complete 3 credits hours from the following:

Seminar (3 credit hours)


Nonthesis or Thesis Option (12 credit hours)


Complete one of the following options:

Nonthesis Option


Thesis Option


Required (6 credit hours)

Reading/Practicum/Research (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Combined Bachelor’s Degree and Environmental Science (MS)


American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s / Master’s Program  and Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees  for more information.

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for combined bachelor’s/master’s programs:

  • At a minimum, students must have an overall grade point average of 3.00 or higher, and have taken a year of laboratory science (BIO-110 /BIO-210 , CHEM-110 /CHEM-111 /CHEM-210 /CHEM-211 , PHYS-105 /PHYS-205 , or PHYS-110 /PHYS-210 ) and a year of calculus (MATH-211  or MATH-221 , and MATH-222 ). Applications must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be required for admission to the combined program. Students should discuss their interest in the program with the Environmental Studies coordinator before submitting an application.
  • Undergraduate students may apply up to 12 credit hours of approved graduate-level coursework to satisfy the requirements of both degrees.