The Master of Arts in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary, graduate degree designed for professionals, practitioners, citizens and students who wish to strengthen their knowledge of the environment. The multidisciplinary nature of this program provides the student with a unique balance of the scientific background necessary for sound environmental decision-making within the context of educational, political, sociological, economic and legal frame-works. This approach is intended to produce future and current environmental professionals with the broad perspective necessary to be effective leaders in the field.
Admission Requirements
To ensure consistency in course sequencing, the majority of admissions will occur in the fall semester of each academic year. The deadline for submitting applications for fall admission is April 15. Applications will be accepted and considered until the class is filled. In the event of openings for spring admission, the deadline is October 15.
Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Environmental Studies program are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:
- An application for graduate admission
- Official transcripts of all prior university or college work (undergraduate and graduate)
- Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) less than five years old
- Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields
- The M.A. Environmental Studies Statement of Interest Form, a personal statement describing educational and professional experiences, reasons for pursuing graduate study in environmental studies and career goals
Applicants seeking admission to the program must meet the following requirements:
- Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, or its equivalent (due to the diversity of areas of emphasis within the proposed program, it is not required that the successful applicant possess a degree in Environmental Studies)
- Strong academic performance in an undergraduate curriculum indicated by a minimum of a GPA of 3.0 or higher, or its equivalent
- Indication of graduate academic potential reflected by satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination
- Indication of graduate academic potential reflected by three letters of recommendation from individuals in professionally relevant fields
- Concurrency of personal goals with the focus of the environmental studies graduate curriculum
Individuals who fall below one of these criteria may be admitted if other factors indicated potential for success. Individuals with identified deficiencies may be accepted provisionally with specified plans and goals for the remediation of these deficiencies. Such remediation may include a requirement of additional hours beyond those normally required for the degree.
A limited number of funded teaching assistant positions will be available. If you have an interest in being a teaching assistant, please be sure to note this on your application.
You can apply on-line at:
https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=uncw-grad
Degree Requirements
The program requires the satisfactory completion of 33 credit hours of approved graduate level courses consisting of the following: 15 credit hours of core classes designed to provide a foundation in environmental studies; 3 credit hours of practicum designed to link theory with practice; 15 credit hours in an approved concentration.
Core Requirements (15 credit hours)
All students are required to complete the following classes:
EVS 501 Introduction to Environmental Problems & Policy (3) EVS 515 Field Methods in Environmental Studies (3) EVS 518 Research Methods in Environmental Studies (3) EVS 595 Seminar/Final Project (3)
One course from:
BIO 534 Advanced Topics in Ecology (3) ENG 557 Theory and Practice of Technical Communication (3) EVS 505 Advanced Environmental Studies (3) EVS 564 Natural Resource Policy and Administration (3) EVS 570 Advanced Environmental Law and Policy (3) GLS 533 The Environmental Crisis (3) HST 533 Seminar: U.S. Environmental History (3) PLS 543 Environmental Policy Analysis (3) PLS 544 Resource Economics (3)
Practicum (3 credit hours)
The practicum is an advanced field placement and related experience in a non-profit, governmental or private sector organization. Practica allows the student to work with professionals in environmentally-related occupations and gain valuable on-the-job experience. This provides extended opportunities for fieldwork, research or creative projects and helps the student to bridge related theory with practical applications. Students are required to complete a minimum of 3 credit hours of practicum.
EVS 597 Practicum in Environmental Studies (1-6)
Concentrations (15 credit hours)
All students are also required to pursue a concentrated area of study in either Environmental Education and Interpretation, Coastal Management, or Environmental Management. Students can also elect to plan their own curriculum in the Individualized Study concentration. Students electing to pursue the Individualized Study concentration should consult with the Environmental Studies graduate coordinator. A maximumof 6 total credit hours from any combination of EVS 591 and/or EVS 598 may be applied toward the degree.
Coastal Management
All students pursuing a concentration in Coastal Management must complete the following:
EVS 520 Foundations of Coastal Management (3)
12 credit hours of elective approved by the EVS graduate program advisor
Environmental Education and Interpretation
All students pursuing a concentration in Environmental Education and Interpretation must complete the following:
EVS 525 Foundations of Environmental Education and Interpretation (3)
12 credit hours of electives approved by the EVS graduate program advisor
Environmental Management
All students pursuing a concentration in Environmental Management must complete the following:
EVS 540 Foundations of Environmental Management (3)
12 credit hours of electives approved by the EVS graduate program advisor
Individualized Study
All students pursuing an Individualized Study concentration must complete the following:
15 credit hours of electives approved by the EVS graduate program advisor
For a description of the courses, click here
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Jeffery Hill, Graduate Program Coordinator (910.962.3264 or hillj@uncw.edu). If you have specific questions regarding graduate school at UNCW, the Graduate School website offers a wealth of information, or you may contact Kimberly Goerne at the Graduate School (goernek@uncw.edu; 910.962.7449).
