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Geological Sciences, MS
LAGEOSCMS
Field Work, Landforms, NASA, Planetary Science, Rocks, approved for STEM-OPT extension, earth, geology, minerals
Explore the processes and dynamics that shape the interiors and surfaces of the Earth and other bodies in the solar system. This is your opportunity to work with world-class faculty on NASA- and NSF-funded projects in state-of-the-art laboratories and in the field on any of the seven continents.
Program description
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Degree awarded: MS
Geological Sciences
The MS program in geological sciences is designed to provide fundamental graduate training in geology. Students are encouraged to cross subject boundaries and pursue new understandings of Earth and the solar system.
STEM-OPT for international students on F-1 visas
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT
work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those
interested in an OPT extension should
review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and
Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the
degree through ASU Online.
30 credit hours and a thesis
Required Core (1 credit hour)
SES 502 Exploring SESE Research (1)
Electives or Research (22 credit hours)
Other Requirements (1 credit hour)
SES 501 SESE Colloquium (1)
Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
SES 599 Thesis (6)
Additional Curriculum Information
Substitutions for courses listed as Other Requirements may be made per department approval.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admissions application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines.
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about
ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Fallexpand
Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
Session A/C | In Person |
12/01 | Priority |
Springexpand
Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
Session A/C | In Person |
10/01 | Priority |
Graduates of the program are prepared for further graduate study or for careers in geochemistry, field geology, geomorphology, structure and tectonics, mineralogy and petrology, geophysics, planetary geology, hydrology, volcanology, Earth observation and remote sensing, and related areas, including geoscience education.
Professionals with expertise in geological sciences are in high demand across sectors and industries, including remote sensing, natural resource management, data science, economic geology (oil and mining industries), environmental consulting, hazard and risk assessment, geophysics and planetary science. Coding and numerical modeling skills translate across many domains, even beyond geosciences. Skills in the measurement and analysis of data related to the physics, chemistry and structures of the Earth and of planetary systems are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on data-driven strategies to interact with the planet and explore beyond the Earth.
Career examples include:
- data scientist
- environmental consultant
- GIS or mapping specialist
- materials analyst
- planetary scientist
- research geologist
Some students go on to doctoral programs in the field of geological sciences.
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and
how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See
https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information:
https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
Students from western states who select this major may be eligible for a reduced nonresident tuition rate of 150 percent of Arizona resident tuition plus all applicable fees. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program
Web site.
check up to 3 programs to see a side-by-side comparison
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A minor is an approved, coherent focus of academic study in a single discipline, other than the student's major, involving substantially
fewer hours of credit than a corresponding major.
Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate either by the college or department of the major or minor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving graduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary graduate degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S.Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website. The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.