M.S. DEGREE - ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TRACK*

Overview

Courses in the online Master of Science in Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, Environmental Science track are offered to accommodate place-bound students interested in environmental issues related to the soil and water quality of agricultural lands, forested lands, range lands, urban lands or wetlands. This track is designed for individuals who want to enhance their knowledge in environmental science and attracts participants ranging from extension agents, state and federal employees, consultants, and to continuing students who want to pursue an academic career.  

*Note that this program is "self-supporting". Per Florida Board of Governor Regulations 8.002, the term "self-supporting" describes a budgetary model and does not impact student financial aid eligibility. https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/8.002_Self-supporting_Market_Tuition_Rate_Program_and_Course_Offerings_05-10-23.pdf.

The Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) Department will continue to accept state agency employee (or UF EEP) tuition waiver for our online courses/programs, providing your agency's human resources department (or UF HR department) approves.  Enrollment is not guaranteed, but you will be contacted promptly if there are any problems with your submission.  Please note, some of our SWES DE graduate-level courses do have a distance learning fee (posted in schedule of courses) that the tuition waiver will not cover. Be sure to read about the program and process here: http://registrar.ufl.edu/registration/employee-education.html. 

How to Apply

See the SWES Graduate Programs Application page for details on deadlines and application requirements.

Program Requirements

View the SWES Graduate Student Guide for details on program requirements.

Who to Contact

Samira H. Daroub, Distance Education Coordinator, sdaroub@ufl.edu
Michael J. Sisk, Academic Program Specialist, mjsisk@ufl.edu

Tuition & Fees: Fall 2024 - Summer 2025

Tuition/fee figures are projected estimates for 2024 - 2025 for graduate students entering UF for the first time.  Tuition/fees for continuing students may be different.  

About The Program

• Time to degree ranges from two to four years.
• Starting dates are Spring semester (January), Summer semester (May), or Fall semester (August).
• 30 credits for either thesis option or professional/non-thesis option (major paper required).

A limited number of UF graduate credits with grades of B or better taken as a non-degree or post-baccalaureate may be transferred into the program to meet degree requirements upon approval.

Note: Tracks are unofficial terms. No tracks appear in official lists in graduate catalog or on the student transcript.  

Prerequisites

Students wishing to enroll in this graduate track should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university with a major in soil and water sciences or an equivalent degree in an allied field such as geology, natural resources, biology, ecology, hydrology, microbiology, environmental science, horticultural science, environmental engineering, agricultural engineering or agronomy. If your bachelor's degree is not in soil and water science or you don't have an equivalent degree in an allied field, you will generally have to complete pre-requisite courses (Chemistry 1 with Lab, Chemistry 2 with Lab, Biology 1 with Lab, and Biology 2 with Lab) at a local institution before applying for admission to the program. Admission criteria include a "B" (3.0) grade point average or better for the last two years of the baccalaureate program. High speed internet access is mandatory.

For more information on the SWESD program requirements, please see the SWESD Graduate Student Guide (PDF).