Montana State University

Masters Program in Environmental Sciences

At a Glance Contact

Lisa Brown
Program Manager
(406) 994-3062
lisa.brown@montana.edu


Delivery

Online

Total Credits

30 credits

Tuition and Fees

$350 per credit

Designed For

Students interested in understanding and managing landscapes at multiple scales through integrated and multi-disciplinary course work and independent study

Time Frame

Two years. Program duration may vary based on previous course work, study intensity, and course availability.

Brochure

PDF fileProgram Brochure

What You Will Earn

You will earn the same regionally accredited Montana State University degree that a student on the Bozeman campus is awarded. Your diploma and transcript are identical to those given to on-campus students and indicates a professional paper option.

Accreditation

Montana State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Departmental Web site

Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences


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Degree

  • Master of Science in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences

Overview

The M.S. program in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences is designed to provide outstanding graduate training opportunities across a substantial breadth of disciplinary interests. Programs are specifically adapted to each graduate student and often address processes at multiple scales through well-integrated, multi-disciplinary efforts. Student projects are directed toward improving understanding of principles and processes important to land resources and environmental sciences, with opportunities for direct ties to management.

Understanding is developed through targeted advanced coursework tailored to the student. Professional papers may involve, but are not limited to, topics such as hydrology, watershed analysis, integrated management of invasive plant species, soil nutrient management, bioremediation, land reclamation, restoration ecology, fluvial systems ecology and restoration, riparian ecology, microbial ecology of natural systems, chemical fate and transport, water quality, crop diversification, precision agriculture, environmental risk assessment, remote sensing and GIS applications, and climate variability.

Requirements

A minimum of 30 credits:

  • 27 credits course work from 400/500 level courses:
    • 9 credits will be restricted electives
    • 18 credits of electives will be based on student interest and advisor input
  • 3 credits professional paper requirement

See the full curriculum.

Prerequisites

  • B.S. degree
  • undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
  • GRE combined score greater than 1,000
  • show significant promise for success in a graduate program
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 (paper-based test), 231 (computer-based test), and 80 (internet-based test)--required only for international students whose native language is not English

Meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. The minimum GPA and GRE scores are not absolute thresholds. Admission to Montana State University graduate programs is based on a number of factors, including prior academic and professional experience and the personal statement.

Admissions

The program is accepting applications for students who will first enter the program in Fall 2012.

To apply:

  1. Contact Lisa Brown, the LRES program manager, at 406-994-3062 or lisa.brown@montana.edu, well in advance of the deadlines below, to make sure that you understand all requirements.

  2. Send:
    • official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
    • a one-page narrative outlining your goals and interests in obtaining a graduate degree in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
    • official GRE scores
    • three letters of recommendation in sealed and signed envelopes
    • TOEFL scores (required only for international students whose native language is not English)

    by

    • June 15 for fall
    • November 1 for spring
    • March 1 for summer
    		US & Canadian citizens
    • May 15 for fall
    • October 1 for spring
    • February 1 for summer
    		Non-Domestic

    To:

    Lisa Brown
    LRES Program Manager Extended University
    Montana State University
    Culbertson 200
    P.O. Box 172200
    Bozeman, MT 59717-2200

  3. Fill out an MSU graduate school application ($60)
    (If you choose to fill out the paper application, send it to Lisa Brown at Extended University. Address above.)

    4. by

    • July 15 for fall
    • December 1 for spring
    • April 1 for summer

Curriculum

The flexible and interdisciplinary nature of this program allows you to select courses to fit your professional goals and interests.

Lisa Brown, the LRES program manager, will assign you an advisor to help you with course selection. Contact Lisa at (406) 994-3062 or lisa.brown@montana.edu.

See the full curriculum.

For More Information

Contact:

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