Coastal Science & Policy (M.S.)
The Costal Science & Policy program offers a Master of Science degree.
Important: Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation are required of all applicants.
Read the Application Instructions page for full details.
See the test score requirements for this program.
Below are specific requirements also needed for this program:
Résumé
Please submit no more than two writing samples or excerpts between one and five (1-5) pages in length.
A Statement of Purpose is Required:
A Statement of Purpose instructions (maximum 2 pages):
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Page 1: What coastal science and policy issue do you most want to be addressing in five years and why does it need to be addressed? We want to read about the issue -- challenge or opportunity -- of greatest interest to you. Describe the issue as specifically as you can, even though it fits under a broader topic (e.g., Coastal Resilience and Climate Change; Conservation; Fisheries and Aquaculture; Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Innovation for Coastal Solutions, etc.)
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Explain how you could contribute to addressing this need or furthering a solution through your capstone project. If you have a specific project idea for your capstone, please describe the idea and potential practitioner partners you could collaborate with to execute the project. Note: students use a summer placement at the start of year 2 to begin their capstone project or enhance specific skills that they will apply in the capstone project; and focus the entire second academic year on the capstone project working closely with the practitioner partner outside of academia.
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Page 2: How do you plan to use your education and capstone experience in the Coastal Science and Policy program to become a leader in advancing real-world solutions in coastal sustainability after graduation, particularly for the issue that you identified for a capstone project? We wish to understand your vision for your leadership role, the type of impact you hope to have, and the type of professional position you might pursue.
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Why are you specifically interested in this program, and how will it help you further your career goals for leadership in your issue area of interest?
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Why do you feel you are an excellent candidate for one of approximately 15 individuals accepted to the program each year? What might you contribute to the growing network of program alumni and participants?
A Personal History Statement is also required:
The Coastal Science and Policy program values diversity and inclusion of diverse perspectives in each of our cohorts. Use the personal history statement to describe why the capstone focal issue(s) described in your statement of purpose matters to you personally, to whom your work is important; and how your background and personal experiences, combined with the coastal science and policy curriculum, will position you to be an effective leader on feasible solutions for coastal science and policy issues.
In your Personal History statement please:
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Summarize your current academic and non-academic experience as it pertains to coastal science and policy.
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In what ways have you taken a leadership role in addressing a challenge or opportunity in coastal science and policy? Applicants should include specific examples of how you have been a leader or specifically contributed to solving (or starting to solve) an environmental problem or pursuing a positive environmental opportunity. If you have limited leadership experience, you may describe the impact you hope to have. You may also describe any personal and professional challenges you have overcome to achieve your goals.
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How has your background, personal experience and combined work experience informed your decision to pursue a graduate degree in coastal science and policy?
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In responding, please include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to how you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within the field of coastal science and policy (from watersheds to the open ocean); and/or how you might serve underrepresented segments of society with your degree.
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Note: This Personal History Statement is limited to two pages and should not duplicate points made in the Statement of Purpose.
Statement of Financial Need Instructions:
Learn about departmental application fee waivers offered by this program on their website; scroll down to the "Fee Waiver Application Instructions" section.
Letters of Reference Instructions:
The Coastal Science & Policy Program has specific instructions for your recommender. Read the instructions on the Coastal Science & Policy's Prospective Students website; scroll down to the "Letters of Reference Instructions" subsection under the header "How to Apply for the Master of Science."
See the application deadline
Read more about the program: