Environmental Studies MA

Translating Scientific Results to Best Practices

The MA Environmental Studies Program caters to professionals in the environmental sector, facilitating the seamless integration of scientific findings into management, policy, and education practices. It accommodates individuals already employed in the field, recent graduates, and those aspiring to attain comprehensive and advanced training in environmental management, policy, or education.

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Program Overview

The program provides students with professional experience while acquiring a graduate degree. Students are required to complete a professional internship with a local agency or environmental organization. That experience culminates with the production of a capstone scholarly document customized for the specific internship experience. The program also permits already employed environmental professionals to adopt their current professional responsibilities into their internship.

This program does not require the completion of a thesis. The curriculum and professional internship are very manageable through a 2-year, full-time commitment. A longer time to graduation would be required of persons entering as part-time students.

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Who Should Consider This Degree?

The Environmental Studies MA Program is well-suited for individuals seeking careers and leadership positions in various fields related to environmental studies.

Graduates of this program will possess advanced education that opens doors to diverse career possibilities in the following areas:

Environmental agencies of local, state, and federal government.
Consulting firms involved in environmental program assessments and private firms aiming to be environmentally responsible or assess their environmental impacts.
Non-governmental organizations dedicated to environmental protection, requiring skills in environmental system assessment, program design for environmental protection, and critical analysis of public policies.
Non-traditional environmental educational facilities and programs offering education from children to adult levels in informal, public settings.

The Environmental Studies MA Program addresses the urgent and growing needs in the field, both within the State of Florida and nationwide. It serves as an effective terminal degree for individuals seeking entry into environmental-related careers at a high level.

Environmental Studies Student with a hawk

Student Profile

The student profile provides the interquartile ranges (25th - 75th percentiles) of the grade point average (GPA) and entrance exam scores for students admitted to a related graduate program during the previous three years. (Because the MA program is new, specific data for admitted students are lacking). This information is intended to assist applicants in determining opportunities for admission.

Undergraduate GPA Range: 3.1-3.5
GRE Scores (Verbal): 148-157
GRE Scores (Quantitative): 147-156

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Program Specifications

Accreditation
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Admissions Information
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Getting Started
Applicants must submit an application online per the individual program’s instructions below. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process. Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up to date admission requirements prior to commencing the application process.
The Program Has One Application Deadline Per Year: February 15.
- Submit an FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
- Earned baccalaureate degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) or equivalent foreign institution.
- A cover letter of introduction including a statement of academic and career goals and interests.
- Official copies of undergraduate transcripts and scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (GRE subject exam is not required). Interquartile scores on the GRE for students previously admitted to the program are available at the bottom of the MA home page
- International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for the last 60 semester hours of upper division undergraduate coursework. GPA from previous graduate coursework (if any) may also be taken into consideration.
- At least three letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant's academic and research potential and/or professional experience.
- Completion of the following:
  
  One course in General Biology lab
  
  One environmental science course (e.g., Environmental Chemistry or Geology)
  
  One course in Environmental Policy or related professional experience
Program Requirements
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Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be maintained for all coursework in the degree program.
- Submit an application for graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- A maximum of 9 credits of course work, for courses equivalent to listed requirements or electives, may be transferred from other institutions or from pre-degree enrollment at FGCU. These are subject to approval of the Degree Program Coordinator.
- Earn more than 50% of the credits toward the degree through FGCU.
- Earn a minimum of 36 credits.
- Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
Program Requirements
1. Required Courses in the Major (12 credits)
  Successful completion of each course requires a grade of B or better.
  EVR 6322 Con App Sustainability (3)
  EVR 6825 Environ Program Evaluation (3)
  EVS 6941 Environmental Practicum I (3)
  EVS 6942 Environmental Practicum II (3)
2. Restricted Electives in the Major (24 credits)
  Successful completion of each course requires a grade of B or better unless otherwise noted.
  
  Complete one from the following:
  OCB 6635 Estuarine Ecology (3)
  PCB 6064C Advanced Ecology (3)
  
  Complete two from the following:
  EVR 5925 Environmental Education (3)
  EVR 6237 Natural Resource Management (3)
  EVS 6937 Environmental Policy (3)
  URP 5316 Land-Use Planning (3)
  
  Complete 3 credits of an additional graduate-level course in science:
  One course approved in advance by program leader that employs or exemplifies the scientific method and addresses some aspect of environmental science. Possible courses include but are not limited to the following:
  EVR 5145 Ecotoxicology (3)
  GLY 5661C Conservation Paleobiology (3)
  OCB 6050 Biological Oceanography (3)
  OCG 6053 Coastal & Watershed Geol (3)
  PCB 5307C Limnology (3)
  
  Complete 3 credits of an additional graduate-level course:
  One course approved in advance by the program leader that emphasizes needed skill for the intended career path. Examples of such course topics include, but are not limited to: computer modeling, GIS technology, educational methods, statistics, data analysis, and economics. Possible courses include but are not limited to the following:
  EVR 6045C Data Analysis Enviro Science (3)
  GIS 5306C Advanced GIS: Spatial Analysis (3)
  PAD 5933 Proposal Writing & Grant Admin (3)
  STA 5355 Appl Mathematical Statistics (3)
  
  Complete 9 credits of additional graduate-level courses as approved by the program leader:
  Successful completion of each elective under this section requires a grade of C or better. The following common graduate electives applicable to the M.A. Environmental Studies program are grouped in areas of interest:
  
  Courses related to management:
  PAD 5142 Management of Non-profit Org (3)
  URP 5312 Growth Mgmt & Comp. Planning (3)
  
  Courses related to policy:
  EVR 6216 Sci Basis for Watr Qual Policy (3)
  
  Courses related to education:
  EVR 5414 Interpreting the Environment (3)
  EVR 5925 Environmental Education (3)
Total Credits Required: 36 HRS
Course Descriptions
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Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search
Course Schedule
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Getting started with the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
Learning Outcomes
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Learning Outcomes for Graduate Students

Students who complete the Environmental Studies (MA) program will demonstrate significant progress towards the following learning outcomes:
- An understanding of, and the ability to apply, the scientific method, and the capacity to design and conduct a relevant research investigation using qualitative and quantitative techniques;
- The ability to understand and apply systems analysis and simulation modeling techniques to environmental education, management, or research;
- advanced ability to use appropriate technologies (statistical analyses, geographic information systems, field and laboratory techniques);
- An understanding of geologic, biological, chemical, physical, and evolutionary processes and their impact on ecosystems;
- A strong foundation in ecological principles and their application to the description and interpretation of environmental systems;
- An understanding of anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems;
- Knowledge of local plant and animal communities and ecosystem dynamics, and the ability to translate this understanding to regional and global levels;
- Knowledge and field skills in identifying and investigating a core cluster of life groups;
- Expertise in a limited group of organisms, or ecosystems.
- an understanding of the concept of sustainability and its application to the formation and implementation of public policy, decision making, problem identification, ethical dilemmas, creative problem solving, and conflict resolution,
- The ability to function in a professional setting; and
- Respect for the environment and all life within it, and recognition of the many ways of knowing the environment.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
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Tuition and Fees

Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.

Scholarships

Scholarships will be awarded to degree-seeking graduate students and can be used for books, tuition, or other expenses. Complete and submit the attached application and essay questions by the deadlines outlined on the following form Graduate Students Scholarship.

Tuition Waivers

A limited number of tuition waivers, which cover only in-state matriculation fees, are available. These are awarded competitively. To access the application, visit the tuition waiver page. For additional information, please select the "Contact Us" link on the navigation bar.

Financial Aid

Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment.

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