Graduate Program in Geosciences
The Department of Geosciences offers a flexible Master of Science (M.S.) in Geosciences. You can focus on Geography or Geology, and we have both thesis or non-thesis options within our Master's program. Our program is an on-campus, in person program.
All students must complete 30 hours of graduate-level courses. Thesis students will use thesis credit hours to reach 30 total hours. In addition, the following core courses are required for the respective options:
Core Courses for Thesis Option
- GSCI 800 Scientific Writing in Geosciences (3 Credit Hours)
- GSCI 899 Thesis (2-6 Credit Hours)
Core Courses for Non-Thesis Option
- GSCI 685 Writing in the the Sciences (3 Credit Hours)
OR GSCI 800 Scientific Writing in Geosciences (3 Credit Hours)
Applying to the Geosciences Master's Program
The faculty in the Department of Geosciences will begin reviewing applications in February of each year for the fall of that year. You should have all of your application materials submitted to the Graduate School prior to January 30. It is recommended that you send your materials prior to the first of the year to ensure that everything arrives on time.
Spring admissions and approval to start during the spring semester is rare. Due to the required courses and rotation of graduate courses the Geosciences MS program is based on a Fall semester start. You must contact Department the Geosciences Graduate Coordinator and Chair with a specific request to be considered for approval for spring admission.
The FHSU Graduate School requires you to submit an official transcript of your undergraduate degree(s), and you must show a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. In addition, the following items are required by the Department of Geosciences:
- A personal statement or statement of purpose (i.e., What are your career goals and how will the FHSU graduate program help you achieve those?)
- Two letters of recommendation
- GRE not required
More details about the requirements for retention in and completion of the Master’s program can be found here at the Graduate School’s Information for Current Graduate Students page.
Our non-thesis option requires submission of a portfolio of graduate program work as part of the program. We encourage students considering/pursuing a non-thesis M.S. option to review the Portfolio Guidelines for M.S. in Geosciences
For further information, please contact
Geosciences Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Jonathan Sumrall
or Geosciences Chair, Dr. Richard Lisichenko