Master of Science in Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences

The M.S. in Environmental Earth and Geospatial Science is a 30-credit program that will be offered asynchronously through the Department of Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences (DEEGS) at North Carolina Central University. Asynchronous classes may be offered concurrently with on-campus face-to-face classes and may offer students opportunities to join classes synchronously. Full-time students typically take 9 credits (3 courses) per 15-week semester for 3 semesters. Their fourth semester will culminate in a semester-long capstone project – either an internship project or thesis – under the tutelage of a faculty member. Summer and intersession courses offered by the DEEGS may shorten this timeline so students can be done in as little as 3 semesters. Students coming to the M.S. program from our ABM (Accelerated Bachelors/Masters) program, where undergraduate students can complete graduate coursework that can be applied towards both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements, this timeline has been as short as 1 calendar year.

This is a “New” online graduate degree program. The program is accepting applications for Spring 2024.

Curriculum Guide

Request Info Apply

Program Highlights

The M.S. in Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences is a 30-credit program providing students with broad understanding of geosciences with a focus on a human-earth interaction. Coursework is designed for development of communication, critical thinking, field and technical skills, such as GIS and remote sensing. All courses are offered online, synchronously or asynchronously with on-campus courses, using blackboard/canvas as the delivery platform.

Students in our programs currently focus their studies in the fields of seismology, natural hazards, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote Sensing applications, environmental health & impacts and remediation technology among others. Our courses are designed to provide students with the analytical and methodological skills necessary to understand or derive explanations for individual occurrences, for recurring processes, and for invariable as well as statistical regularities in the earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Part and parcel to these studies are the use of field experiences in which we apply these skills.

Careers

Career opportunities in the environmental, earth and geospatial sciences are varied and have tremendous job potential. Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlight professions related to the environment, sustainability and geoscience offered through our degree. Related positions such as Agricultural and Food Scientists (9% growth), Environmental Scientists and Specialists (8% growth), environmental engineers (4% growth) and geoscientists (5%), highlight needed growth in this field between 2020 and 2030. Graduates from the department have secured employment at diversified locations such as the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Southwest Florida Management District, Environmental Systems Research Institute in Charlotte, Samsung, the Development Finance Institute, City of Durham Environmental Laboratories, City of Durham Information Technology Office, Durham Public Schools, Environmental and Planning Specialist with the Durham County and Economic Development Research Strategist for Downtown Durham, Inc.

Costs

Estimated Tuition and Fees Per Credit Hour

*Please note: Tuition & Fees are subject to change*

Requirements

To be considered for admissions, a student must submit an application for admission to NCCU graduate programs, an official undergraduate transcript, completed recommendation forms, and a statement of academic objectives to the admissions office of the Graduate Division at least 30 days in advance of the registration date of the semester or summer session in which degree work is to begin. Applicants who apply late or whose application has not been evaluated before registration may be permitted to enroll as a temporary degree-seeking student and/or may not be eligible for student support. After the department has evaluated the student’s credentials, the School of Graduate Studies will notify the student of the admission decision by letter. Admitted students have one year to enroll in courses before the admission status expires. The School of Graduate Studies will notify the student of this time limitation.

All NCCU graduate programs require that the GRE be taken as part of the admissions process. However, the DEEGS recognizes that the GRE is just one indicator of student potential at the graduate level. The DEEGS weighs GPA within the major, practical experience, research interests and a student’s cover letter along with GRE scores and the GRE may be waived if recommended by the graduate coordinator based on these factors.