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M.S. with Thesis in Geoscience 

The M.S. in Geosciences with thesis is typically a nonterminal degree completed by some students before seeking Ph.D. candidacy. All requirements for the M.S. degree must be completed within a period of three years after entry. There are no residence or language requirements.  Students must successfully complete a program of 30 graduate credits, including a minimum of 18 credits in approved academic courses. A student must achieve a 3.0 overall grade point average in all graduate courses taken at Stony Brook to receive a degree.  An M.S. thesis proposal of no more than two pages must be submitted to the graduate committee at the end of the first year. 

Additional information, as well as course descriptions, can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.


M.S. in Geoscience with a concentration in Earth and Space Sciences  **NOT accepting applications into this program for 2024 -25 Academic Year.

msThis Master’s degree program is for:

• Earth Science teachers who have initial certification in Earth Science but need a Master’s degree to become fully certified

• Teachers in science or other disciplines, who need a master’s degree and want to be certified in Earth Science

The Graduate Earth Science Courses are for:

• Students in the MS program
•Teachers in other disciplines with a Master's degree who would like to be dually certified.
• Science teachers with a Master's degree who need graduate courses to meet their continuing education or professional development requirements.

This MS degree program was developed to accommodate science teachers and includes new Earth Science graduate courses in astronomy, atmospheric sciences and geosciences specifically designed to cover in detail and depth the material taught in the New York State Earth Science curriculum. 

The emphasis will be on understanding and describing processes so that teachers will be able to more easily and effectively convey these concepts to the Earth Science students.

Read more about the M.S. degree with concentration in Earth and Space Sciences.


M.S. Degree with a concentration in Hydrogeology
**NOT accepting applications into this program for 2024 -25 Academic Year.

 dsaThe non-thesis M.S. program with a concentration in hydrogeology is designed to give those with a B.S. degree in physical sciences a solid foundation of theoretical and practical graduate training emphasizing the physical and geochemical aspects of hydrogeology. Coursework and a final research project totaling 30 graduate credits are arranged to accommodate working professionals, with most courses taught in the evenings. This is a part-time degree program. A formal thesis is not required. Coursework includes groundwater hydrology, aqueous geochemistry, rock and soil physics, numerical hydrology, statistics and probability, and organic contaminant hydrology. Final research projects are arranged individually with faculty supervisors and are designed to give students experience in field, laboratory, or theoretical approaches. 

Additional information, as well as course descriptions, can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.


M.A.T. Degree in Earth Science

The Master of Arts in Teaching Earth Science leads to initial certification for teaching Earth Science in secondary schools in New York State. It also prepares the student for the examination for permanent certification. There is no residence requirement. Students must complete at least one year of college-level study of a foreign language. Students interested in the M.A.T. program must apply through the School of Professional Development. Apply here: School of Professional Development.

    • Formal Coursework:

Students are required to complete with an average grade of B or higher 15 credits in Earth Science courses and 27 credits in pedagogical courses and teaching experience. The departmental M.A.T. advisor, in consultation with the student, will determine a set of Earth Science courses for the M.A.T. degree in Earth Science. Printable Checklist of the science course requirements.

    • Recommendation of the Department for the M.A.T.:

When all program requirements are completed, the departmental M.A.T. advisor will consult with the director of the Science Education Program to determine whether all state-mandated education courses have been completed. If they conclude that all requirements have been met, they will inform the Associate Dean of the School of Professional Development that the requirements for initial certification have been fulfilled and recommend to the Dean of the Graduate School that the M.A.T. degree should be granted.

    • Time Limit:

Although full-time students can complete all requirements for the M.A.T. degree within three semesters, part-time students will require additional time to complete the degree requirements.

Final responsibility for adhering to degree requirements and meeting all deadlines rests solely with the student.

Further information on the Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Earth Science can be found at the following link:  Earth Science Education and also by contacting:

Professor Joel Hurowitz
Room 220 ESS Building
Phone:   (631) 632-5355
Email: joel.hurowitz@stonybrook.edu