Department of Coastal Sciences
Master's of Science
Admissions On-line
Graduate education in the Department of Coastal Sciences is implemented through the relationship between
the student
and a Major Professor. The Major Professor is the primary mentor, provides office/laboratory space, and aids his or her students in obtaining assistantship funding and other resources necessary to complete their degree program. Therefore, before applying, students are encouraged to contact faculty members with similar interests in order to identify a faculty member willing to act as the Major Professor.
Admission Requirements
Regular admission is based on several criteria, including but not limited to the following:
- Submission of complete undergraduate transcripts and the results of the general section of the Graduate Record Examination;
- A letter of intent stating interests and career goals as well as three letters of recommendation from qualified individuals. (The essay and letters of recommendation should be sent to the Office of Student Services at GCRL);
Office of Student Services
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
FAX: 228-872-4295
- A minimum score of 560 on the paper test or 220 on the computer test on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose native language is other than English.
Program Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of thirty (30) graduate hours and meet the requirements of the Graduate School of The University of Southern Mississippi.
The following are major additional requirements and milestones for M.S. students:
- Chooses a major professor and establishes a three-member graduate advisory committee by the end of the third semester;
- Develops a Program of Study (projection of course work taken during tenure in Coastal Sciences) together with the major professor and advisory committee by the end of the second semester;
- Submits a research prospectus to the graduate advisory committee by the end of the third semester;
- Passes an oral and/or written comprehensive examination administered by the advisory committee by the end of the third semester; and
- Presents an approved thesis to the graduate advisory committee at least ten days prior to a thesis defense at a publicly announced meeting.
| Program of Study |
| Coursework |
Hours |
| COA 691 Research in Coastal Sciences |
6 |
| COA 698 Thesis |
6 |
| Electives (Determined by Major Professor and Advisory Committee) |
18* |
