M.S. in Environmental Studies

The Masters of Science in Environmental Studies program is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of impactful environmental stewards and professionals. 

The goal of the M.S. in Environmental Studies is to provide a research-focused master’s degree program in environmental studies. The successful graduate will gain a range of skills designed to facilitate a science-based understanding of the natural world and human interactions with it. The M.S. is specifically designed to prepare students for careers involving science and/or policy research through completing a culminating thesis project under the supervision of a thesis mentor.

Financial Support

Qualified applicants to the M.S. in Environmental Studies program may receive funding as teaching assistants or research assistants. Funds may also become available after the application deadline, so you are encouraged to contact the graduate program director to check availability.

We are now part of the 'Graduate Enrollment Innovation Program', which provides tuition for out-of-state/international students at a rate that is only slightly higher than in-state rates. Choose "Masters - Humanities and Sciences" in VCU's tuition calculator. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, you will demonstrate proficiency in:

• Multidisciplinary content: Graduates will acquire foundational knowledge from a broad range of disciplines that are directly relevant to environmental science and policy.
• Environmental data and technology: Graduates will master cutting-edge skills in data collection, management and analysis. Special emphasis is placed on geographic information systems (GIS) and the R programming language.
• Application and communication: Graduates will develop a novel application to showcase their newly acquired knowledge and skills. Relevant examples may include a thesis project and publication (for M.S. Degree).

Application Overview

Application Deadline

Applications to the Environmental Studies M.S. program are accepted anytime, with the following recommended submission deadlines:

• January 15 (preferred): Fall entry, and full consideration of graduate stipend and scholarship support. 
• September 15: Spring program entry. Fewer students enter our program in the spring.  

Admission Details

If you are interested in submitting an application, you can find our application by searching for "Master's Degree" and "College of Humanities and Sciences" as the School/Academic Department. You should then see M.S. in Environmental Studies as a degree program. 

Applicants must meet all requirements listed by the VCU Graduate School and College of Humanities and Sciences, in addition to those listed below. 

You must have:

• Undergraduate coursework in introductory biology and chemistry. It is preferred that applicants have coursework in ecology, environmental policy and introductory statistics.
• Three letters of recommendation pertaining to your potential ability as a graduate student in environmental studies
• A statement of purpose essay (see specific guidelines below)
• Brief (1-3 page) resume
• Transcripts of all previous college work

Admission to the M.S. in Environmental Studies program is based on undergraduate performance and letters of recommendation. Applicants typically have a 3.0 GPA or greater on undergraduate work.

Faculty Mentor Requirement

Completion of a research thesis is a major part of the M.S. in Environmental Studies program. Identifying a faculty mentor is an additional requirement for you to be accepted to the program.

You are strongly encouraged to begin this process well before applying by reading through faculty directory profiles, identifying potential mentors that overlap with your research interests, and initiating a dialogue with them about the likelihood of joining their lab.

If you already have support from specific faculty, please mention this in your statement of interest as you are more likely to be admitted and receive some financial support.