Program Overview

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M.P.S. in Environmental Science Program

The Master of Professional Science in Environmental Science is designed to deliver a graduate-level education in a time-efficient manner. This program provides a solid background in environmental science as well as the practical and managerial skills needed to get ahead, and it can be completed in just 1 ˝ years.

Program Overview

Today's top employers are looking for professionals who have the practical skills to formulate, abstract, analyze, and solve problems. NSU's M.P.S. in Environmental Science will help students become leaders who understand scientific communication and processes. Students will have opportunities to participate in faculty-guided and independent research, and get hands-on experience in laboratory and classroom settings, as well as in the field.

Choose Elective Courses

Students can choose elective courses from the following areas:

Marine Biology

Become an expert in the nature and ecology of marine life

Coastal Zone Management

Focus on contemporary problems and conflicts arising from increased use of coastal areas

Environmental Science

Use science and policy to gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues

Computational Molecular Biology

Use computational, statistical, experimental, and technological methods to further scientific discovery

Quick Facts

Curriculum

NSU's M.P.S. in Environmental Science is 30 total credits to complete. Students will be required to take 15 credits of core courses, 9 credits of electives in their chosen area, and up to 6 credits from any program electives. No thesis or capstone paper is required.

Start Dates

Admissions is on a "rolling" basis with program start dates offered in August (Fall term), May (Summer term), and January (Winter term).

Delivery Options

Classes for the M.P.S. in Environmental Science are offered at NSU's Oceanographic Campus only.

Tuition

Tuition information is available on the Tuition and Fees page.

Application Deadline

• Fall 2026: Friday, July 17, 2026
• Winter 2026: Friday, November 14, 2025
• Summer 2026: Friday, April 17, 2026

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the M.P.S. in Environmental Science program can pursue careers in science, education, industry, or business. Some potential career outcomes include:

• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: $66,350 Median Salary Per Year
• Geoscientists: $93,580 Median Salary Per Year
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists: $73,230 Median Salary Per Year

Environmental Science Curriculum

Core Courses (15 credits)

• MPSE 5010: Biostatistics (3 credits)
• MPSE 5020: Ecosystems Processes (3 credits)
• MPSE 5030: Geological Processes (3 credits)
• MPSE 5040: Environmental Chemistry (3 credits)
• MSMS 5060: Scientific Communications (3 credits)

Elective Courses (15 credits)

• MSMS 6001: Marine Physiology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6002: Coral Reef Ecology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6003: Deep Sea Biology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6004: Marine Fisheries (3 credits)
• MSMS 6005: Invertebrate Zoology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6006: Tropical Marine Invertebrates (3 credits)
• MSMS 6007: Marine Mammalogy (3 credits)
• MSMS 6008: Biology of Sharks and Rays (3 credits)
• MSMS 6010: Marine Apex Predators (3 credits)
• MSMS 6011: Marine Avian Ecology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6012: Corals from the Inside Out (3 credits)
• MSMS 6014: Marine Larval Ecology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6016: Ichthyology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6017: Tropical Fish Biology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6021: Histology and Ultrastructure of Marine Organisms (3 credits)
• MSMS 6022: Methods in Marine Community Ecology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6101: Coastal Policy for U.S. Living Marine Resources (3 credits)
• MSMS 6102: Ocean and Coastal Law (3 credits)
• MSMS 6103: Invasive Species (3 credits)
• MSMS 6201: GIS & Environmental Remote Sensing (3 credits)
• MSMS 6203: Climate Change (3 credits)
• MSMS 6204: Anthropogenic Impacts in Marine Environments (3 credits)
• MSMS 6208: Aquaculture (3 credits)
• MSMS 6209: Biodiversity (3 credits)
• MSMS 6210: Scientific Method and Experimental Design (3 credits)
• MSMS 6211: Genomics (3 credits)
• MSMS 6212: Stable Isotopes in Marine Ecology (3 credits)
• MSMS 6213: Coral Reef Biogeochemistry (3 credits)

Prerequisite Courses

• Applied Statistics or Biostatistics
• Biology I with Lab
• Biology II with Lab
• Chemistry I with Lab
• Calculus I or higher
• One or more of the following: Anatomy, Ecology, Geology, Physiology (general or basic level)

Admissions Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution
• Official Transcripts from all educational institutions attended since high school
• Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.75
• Resume or Curriculum Vita
• English-language proficiency (for non-native English speakers and graduates of foreign institutions)
  • Successful completion of a degree at an approved U.S. institution of higher education where English is the primary language of instruction
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) official score of 213 on the computerized test, 550 on the paper test format, or 79 on the Internet format

Program Faculty and Staff

James Kerfoot, Ph.D.

Department Chair & Professor, Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences

Brett McAllister

Director of Graduate Admissions, Halmos Graduate Admissions

Theodore Uy

Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions, Halmos Graduate Admissions