Ocean, Coastal and Earth Sciences (MS)
Ocean, Coastal and Earth Sciences (MS)
The School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers a Master of Science in Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Science (OCES). The goal of the OCES program is to provide students a unique integrative education and training experience that prepares them to meet the challenges and opportunities in the multiple dimensions of contemporary marine, coastal, and environmental science disciplines. Specifically, the OCES program targets students wishing to pursue a graduate degree with the intention of entering the work force to contribute their gained expertise and comprehensive understanding of complex ecological and resource systems made up of biotic and abiotic components coexisting and interacting with human communities and relevant socio-economic activities in ocean and coastal zone environments. This multidisciplinary degree program is designed to provide a rigorous applied and theoretical education in the marine and coastal sciences with emphasis on the environmental impacts of anthropogenic and natural forcings along the Texas coastline and beyond. Students graduating from the program will be prepared to take on decision-making positions in a wide range of governmental agencies and NGOs. They can expect a broad set of science careers, within and beyond academia, including private and public sector organizations concerned with marine and coastal systems, recognizing that rivers, estuaries, and the oceans are fundamentally important to our societies.
The educational objectives for students in the OCES program are: attaining a thorough understanding of marine and coastal zone dynamics at various levels of organization; 2) attaining quantitative and qualitative data-interpretation skills from raw experimental results as well as from interpretation of primary literature; 3) developing technical and intellectual skills to design, carry out and interpret results of experiments addressing marine and coastal problems employing a wide range of multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art approaches; 4) acquiring verbal and written communication skills to entertain professional discourse with experts within the discipline, exchange scientific ideas between researchers of diverse backgrounds and effectively communicate with a lay audience; and 5) developing and enhancing existing critical thinking skills through hands-on problem solving.
- Ranked #79 among 300+ national universities by Washington Monthly in 2018
- Ranked 4th best college in Texas 2018 by BestColleges.com
- Accredited, cutting edge degree program
- Experienced, dedicated faculty
- Affordable tuition (ranked #1 in net price among national universities by Washington Monthly in 2018 and #3 most affordable university in America 2018 by BestValueSchools.com)
- Demonstrated student success in research, professional certification and career advancement
Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply. There is no application fee.
Step #2: Request your official transcripts to be sent electronically to gradapps@utrgv.edu or mailed to:
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The Graduate College
Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
*Please Note: If you are a graduate of UTPA, UTB/TSC, or UTRGV you do not need to request an official transcript to be sent to the Graduate College.
Review and submit all Program Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
- Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
- Statement of Research, including potential research advisor(s) in SEEMS or UTRGV with whom the applicant wants to work for thesis research.
- CV or Resume.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- GRE General Test with minimum GRE scores of: Verbal 153 and Quantitative 144 are required. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities:
- TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on Internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. For additional information, visit the Additional Documents for Domestic Applicants who Attend Foreign Universities section of our website.
- Certified English translation of educational records.
Additional requirements for international applicants:
- TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on Internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. For additional information, visit the English Proficiency Exam section of our website.
- Certified English translation of educational records.
- Financial Documentation showing sufficient funds to cover all expenses (living and academic) for the first year of study. For additional information, visit the Financial Documentation section of our website.
- Immigration documents, including a current copy of your valid passport. For additional information, visit the Immigration Documents section of our website.
- International applicants are required to use the following credential evaluation services: Foreign Credential Service of America (FCSA) or World Education Services (WES). Applicants are required to select the course-by-course report option – general reports will not suffice.
UPDATE ON INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS FROM U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT:
-
SEVP regulations prohibit the issuance of a Form I-20 based on conditional admission, effective July 13, 2016. University officials can only issue a Form I-20 when students have met all standards for admission for the program of study listed on the Form I-20. These standards for admission include any English proficiency requirements.
To view a list of application deadlines and program contacts for our traditional programs, click here.
| Graduate | ||||
| Resident | Non-Resident* | |||
| Hours | Fall or Spring | Summer Session (each) | Fall or Spring | Summer Session (each) |
| 1 | 677.13 | 539.63 | 1,085.13 | 947.63 |
| 2 | 1,079.26 | 941.76 | 1,895.26 | 1,757.76 |
| 3 | 1,481.39 | 1,343.89 | 2,705.39 | 2,567.89 |
| 4 | 1,883.52 | 1,746.02 | 3,515.52 | 3,378.02 |
| 5 | 2,285.65 | 2,148.15 | 4,325.65 | 4,188.15 |
| 6 | 2,687.78 | 2,550.28 | 5,135.78 | 4,998.28 |
| 7 | 3,089.91 | 2,952.41 | 5,945.91 | 5,808.41 |
| 8 | 3,492.04 | 3,354.54 | 6,756.04 | 6,618.54 |
| 9 | 3,894.17 | 3,756.67 | 7,566.17 | 7,428.67 |
| 10 | 4,296.30 | 4,158.80 | 8,376.30 | 8,238.80 |
| 11 | 4,698.43 | 4,560.93 | 9,186.43 | 9,048.93 |
| 12 | 5,100.56 | 4,963.06 | 9,996.56 | 9,859.06 |
Fees included above:
- University Services Fee - $38.10 per hour ($457.20 maximum)
- Student Services Fee - $5.83 per hour ($69.96 maximum)
- Intercollegiate Athletics Fee - $15.00 per hour ($180.00 maximum)
- Recreation Fee ‐ $75 per Fall or Spring; $37.50 per summer term
- Medical Services Fee ‐ $30 per Fall or Spring; $15 per summer term
- Student Union Fee ‐ $30 per Fall or Spring; $15 per summer term
All resident tuition and mandatory fees shown above remain the same for hours over 20. Add $408 nonresident tuition for each hour over 20.
*Includes nonresident statutory tuition charges set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and subject to annual change.
Total does not include Lab and Supplemental Instruction Fees which vary by course.
Differential Tuition:
Additional tuition will be charged for upper division undergraduate and graduate courses in the following disciplines.
| College or School | Courses | Rate |
| Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship | All Disciplines | $30 per hour (up to $360) |
| College of Engineering & Computer Science | All Disciplines | $50 per hour (up to $600) |
| College of Health Professions | Communication Disorders | $20 per hour (up to $240) |
| Occupational Therapy | $20 per hour (up to $240) | |
| Physician Assistant Studies | $25 per hour (up to $300) | |
| School of Nursing | Nursing (undergraduate) | $30 per hour (up to $360) |
| Nursing (graduate) | $20 per hour (up to $240) |
Repeated Hours Tuition:
$250 per hour is added for resident undergraduates attempting a class for the third and subsequent times.
Excessive Hours Tuition:
$100 per hour is added for resident undergraduates when the hours previously attempted exceed applicable limits.
Click here to view the program's course requirements from the current catalog.
