Program Objectives

The goal of the degree is to develop Master’s level environmental scientists for government and the private sector. These highly trained specialists will help to meet the growing need for personnel with expertise on the environmental issues facing society.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Further develop the interdisciplinary scientific knowledge base of students regarding environmental issues.
2. Further develop the ability of students to critically analyze environmental challenges.
3. Further develop the ability of students to formulate, implement and manage short- and long-term solutions to environmental challenges.
4. Prepare students for productive professional careers in environmental science.
5. Provide students the academic preparation for successful application to doctoral programs.

Admission Requirements

1. Admission to the program will require a B.S. degree from an accredited college or university with 20-hours minimum of undergraduate credit in science and at least a 3.0 GPA in these science hours.
2. All applicants must submit a letter of application stating their academic and professional goals.
3. ll applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from professors and/or employers.
4. Submission of scores for the general portion of the Graduate Record Exam (verbal, quantitative, and analytical).
5. Compliance with the university and the experiential learning sites’ requirements regarding criminal background checks.
6. Other admissions requirements as stipulated by the School of Graduate Studies also apply to students entering the program.

Course Requirements

The M.S. degree may be completed through either thesis or non-thesis tracks. Both tracks require a minimum of 32 credit hours.

Thesis Track

1. Required 18 credit hours of graduate Environmental Science (EV prefix) courses. Six of these credit hours will be Thesis research (EV 691-3). An oral defense of the thesis is required.
2. Elective 14 credit hours of additional graduate coursework. Electives may be chosen from any department or discipline, with no restriction on the total number of hours from any department or discipline.

Non-Thesis Track

1. Required 18 credit hours of graduate Environmental Science (EV prefix) courses. Six of these credit hours will be Internship (EV 681-3) and/or Research (EV 671-3). A scholarly paper and oral defense of the scholarly paper are required. A comprehensive written examination is also required.
2. Elective 14 credit hours of additional graduate coursework. Electives may be chosen from any department or discipline, with no restriction on the total number of hours from any department or discipline.

Related Links

Online Application
Graduate Bulletin
School of Graduate Studies

Contact Us

Dr. Stephen R. Overmann, Program Director

Southeast Missouri State University
One University Plaza, MS 6200
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Phone: (573) 651-2386
E-mail: srovermann@semo.edu

Dr. John C. Kraemer, Graduate Coordinator

Southeast Missouri State University
One University Plaza, MS 6200
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Phone: (573) 651-2355
E-Mail: jkraemer@semo.edu