Get Further, Faster in In-Demand Environmental Jobs

You’re ready to advance in your career in the environmental field. Nova Southeastern University’s Master of Professional Science in Environmental Science is designed to deliver you with a graduate-level education in a time-efficient manner. This program provides you with a solid background in environmental science as well as the practical and managerial skills you need to get ahead—and it can be completed in just 1 ½ years.

Today’s top employers are looking for professionals who have the practical skills to formulate, abstract, analyze, and solve problems. NSU’s M.P.S. in Environmental Science will help you to become a leader who understands scientific communication and processes. You’ll have opportunities to participate in faculty-guided and independent research, and get hands-on in laboratory and classroom settings, as well as on the field. NSU is situated at the edge of diverse marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, making it easy for you to work in the environments that match your interests. As a graduate of the M.P.S. in Environmental Science program you’ll be prepared to pursue a career in science, education, industry, or business.

Choose Elective Courses From The Following Areas

Marine Biology

Become an expert in the nature and ecology of marine life

Coastal Zone Management

Focus on contemporary problems and conflicts arising from increased use of coastal areas

Environmental Science

Use science and policy to gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues

Computational Molecular Biology

Use computational, statistical, experimental, and technological methods to further scientific discovery

Quick Facts

Curriculum

NSU’s M.P.S. in Environmental Science is 30 total credits to complete. You will be required to take 15 credits of core courses, 9 credits of electives in your chosen area, and up to 6 credits from any program electives. No thesis or capstone paper is required.

Start Dates

Admissions is on a “rolling” basis with program start dates offered in August (Fall term), May (Summer term) and January (Winter term).

Delivery Options

Classes for the M.P.S. in Environmental Science are offered at NSU’s Oceanographic Campus only.

Tuition

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.

Application Deadline

Fall 2024: Friday, July 19th, 2024, Winter 2024: Friday, November 17th, 2023, Summer 2024: Friday, April 12th, 2024.

Career Outcomes

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

$66,350 Median Salary Per Year

Geoscientists

$93,580 Median Salary Per Year

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

$73,230 Median Salary Per Year

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Environmental Science Curriculum

Core Courses (15 credits)
Credits
MPSE 5010
Biostatistics (MPSE 5010 / Credits: 3 )
3
MPSE 5020
Ecosystems Processes (MPSE 5020 / Credits: 3 )
3
MPSE 5030
Geological Processes (MPSE 5030 / Credits: 3 )
3
MPSE 5040
Environmental Chemistry (MPSE 5040 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 5060
Scientific Communications (MSMS 5060 / Credits: 3 )
3
Elective Courses (15 credits)
Credits
MSMS 6001
Marine Physiology (MSMS 6001 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6002
Coral Reef Ecology (MSMS 6002 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6003
Deep Sea Biology (MSMS 6003 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6004
Marine Fisheries (MSMS 6004 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6005
Invertebrate Zoology (MSMS 6005 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6006
Tropical Marine Invertebrates (MSMS 6006 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6007
Marine Mammalogy (MSMS 6007 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6008
Biology of Sharks and Rays (MSMS 6008 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6010
Marine Apex Predators (MSMS 6010 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6011
Marine Avian Ecology (MSMS 6011 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6012
Corals from the Inside Out (MSMS 6012 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6014
Marine Larval Ecology (MSMS 6014 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6016
Ichthyology (MSMS 6016 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6017
Tropical Fish Biology (MSMS 6017 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6021
Histology and Ultrastructure of Marine Organisms (MSMS 6021 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6022
Methods in Marine Community Ecology (MSMS 6022 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6101
Coastal Policy for U.S. Living Marine Resources (MSMS 6101 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6102
Ocean and Coastal Law (MSMS 6102 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6103
Invasive Species (MSMS 6103 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6201
GIS & Environmental Remote Sensing (MSMS 6201 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6203
Climate Change (MSMS 6203 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6204
Anthropogenic Impacts in Marine Environments (MSMS 6204 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6208
Aquaculture (MSMS 6208 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6209
Biodiversity (MSMS 6209 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6210
Scientific Method and Experimental Design (MSMS 6210 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6211
Genomics (MSMS 6211 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6212
Stable Isotopes in Marine Ecology (MSMS 6212 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSMS 6213
Coral Reef Biogeochemistry (MSMS 6213 / Credits: 3 )
3

For specific course requirements, refer to the “Master of Professional Science in Environmental Science Program (M.S.)" in NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Student catalog.

The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the NSU Halmos College of Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.

Admissions Requirements

  • NSU Graduate Application 
  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution.
  • Official Transcripts from all educational institutions attended since high school.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.75
  • (2) Letters of Recommendation, one coming from an Academic Professor.

Prerequisite Courses

  • Applied Statistics or Biostatistics
  • Biology I with Lab
  • Biology II with Lab
  • Chemistry I with Lab
  • Calculus I or higher
  • One or more of the following: Anatomy, Ecology, Geology, Physiology (general or basic level)

Note: The above-listed courses must be completed prior to acceptance to the M.P.S. Environmental Science. NSU’s Department of Marine & Environmental Sciences will review similar coursework as possible substitutes upon request.

GRADUATE OPEN HOUSE

Join us on Monday, March 18th at 12:00 PM EST to learn more about our marine/environmental sciences, including careers within the field, NSU graduate degree offerings, and the application process.

This event is free and open for all to attend. You may register for the Open House here.

Program directors and department faculty from the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences and NSU Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admissions will be in attendance to answer your questions about your program(s) of interest.

Program Director and Admissions Staff

Bernhard Riegl, Ph.D.

Department Chair & Professor
Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences
Image of Bernhard Riegl, Ph.D.

Emma Brennan

Administrative Coordinator
Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences
Image of Emma Brennan

Theodore Uy

Graduate Recruiter
Halmos Graduate Admissions
Image of Theodore Uy

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