Program Overview

Bachelor of Applied Science in Weather and Environmental Sciences

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Weather and Environmental Sciences is a fully online program designed for military-trained weather specialists. This program prepares students for both military advancement and civilian careers in forecasting, climate analysis, and environmental operations.

About the Program

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Weather and Environmental Sciences is a fully accredited bachelor's degree that builds on the training students have earned at places like Keesler Air Force Base. The program provides critical skills to support national defense, public safety, and environmental resilience.

Skills Learned

Earning a BAS in Weather and Environmental Sciences will build upon students' military and technical training, including:

• Meteorological Data Analysis
• Climate and Environmental Assessment
• Weather Forecasting Techniques
• Operational Weather Communication
• Natural Hazard Interpretation
• Critical Thinking in Earth Systems
• Military Protocol and Data Security
• Leadership in Weather Operations

Department and Campus

• Department: Geosciences
• Campus: Online or Starkville Campus

Program of Study

The program requires 120 total credits.

Career Outcomes

The program prepares students for careers in:

• Climate Change Policy Analysts
  • Number of Jobs: 85,300
  • Median Pay: $80,060
  • Predicted Employment Change: Increase by 7%
• GIS Technologists/Technicians
  • Number of Jobs: 470,900
  • Median Pay: $108,970
  • Predicted Employment Change: Increase by 9%
• Natural Sciences Managers
  • Number of Jobs: 100,100
  • Median Pay: $161,180
  • Predicted Employment Change: Increase by 6%
• Geoscientists
  • Number of Jobs: 26,000
  • Median Pay: $99,240
  • Predicted Employment Change: Increase by 2%

Courses

The program includes the following courses:

• GR 1133/GR 1131 Weather and Climate, Weather and Climate Laboratory
• GR 3113 Conservation of Natural Resources
• GG 3603 Introduction to Oceanography
• GG 3613 Water Resources
• GG 4333 Geowriting
• GR 4443 Weather Prediction 1
• GR 4453 Weather Prediction 2
• GR 4613 Applied Climatology
• GR 4813 Natural Hazards
• GR 4913 Thermodynamic Meteorology
• GR 4923 Severe Weather
• PCS 4112 Professional Success Strategies in Applied Fields

Course Descriptions

• GR 1133/GR 1131: Descriptive study of weather with the objective of gaining appreciation of the variety of atmospheric phenomena.
• GR 3113: Consideration of the current problems associated with the conservation of soils, forests, waters, minerals, and wildlife.
• GG 3603: A survey of the basic principles and applications of science to the study of the marine environment.
• GG 3613: Introduction to the location, use, recovery, and environmental problems of surface and subsurface waters.
• GG 4333: Prepares students to present geosciences information through research papers and other forms of professional communication.
• GR 4443: Weather analysis and forecasting, emphasizing local, short-term forecasting techniques.
• GR 4453: Continuation of GR 4443, with case studies of weather forecasts and emphasis on special weather events and places.
• GR 4613: Problem-solving in topics such as bioclimatology, agricultural climatology, and land use climatology.
• GR 4813: A survey of natural phenomena in geology, oceanography, and astronomy as applied to meteorology.
• GR 4913: Examination of the meteorological stability within the earth's atmosphere, focusing on analysis of stability indices related to predicting severe weather.
• GR 4923: Descriptive study of severe and unusual weather across the earth, explaining variations in severe weather in both spatial and temporal scales.
• PCS 4112: Equips students with essential skills and knowledge for successful professional transition and advancement in applied fields.

Tuition and Scholarships

The program offers a tuition estimator to help students calculate their estimated cost based on the number of transfer credits they bring in. The more credits students transfer, the fewer they'll need to complete at MSU.

• Current Online Tuition Rates (Fall 2025/Spring 2026):
  • 1-11 credit hours: $460.75 per credit hour
  • 12-16 credit hours: $5,227.00 flat rate per semester
  • Over 16 credit hours: Additional overload tuition at $460.75 per credit hour
• Students who enroll full-time can complete their remaining degree requirements at a significantly lower total cost.
• Scholarships and other financial aid options will reduce the total tuition and fees cost for the hours students will need to earn a BAS degree.