2022-2023
M.S.-ENVS FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM
M.S. IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM The Master of Science in Environmental Science is designed for current and prospective students in the rapidly growing field of environmental monitoring and conservation. This accelerated program allows students to begin work on Master of Science in Environmental Science program requirements while an undergraduate, permitting CNU students to receive both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in five years. This degree program provides a solid background in ecological and environmental conservation theory, and is flexible enough to fit the interests and needs of a wide variety of students. The program is designed for students planning to pursue a Ph.D. or students interested in careers involving environmental assessment, monitoring or conservation. How and When to Apply After completion of 65 credit hours of undergraduate study, the student submits the application to the Five-Year BS/MS Program no later than February 1 of the junior year. The Application for Admission to the Five-Year Program is available at: cnu.edu/admission/graduate/fiveyear. The application and all supporting documents/materials are reviewed by a Graduate Admission Committee and the Graduate Studies office. Admission into the five-year program is competitive, and applications are reviewed holistically. Because it is an accelerated program, applicants are expected to be ready for graduate-level research. Ideal candidates have a strong undergraduate transcript, the ability to work independently and see a project to completion, an interest in scientific research, and an established relationship with a potential thesis advisor. Students not accepted into the five-year program may apply for the Traditional program in their Senior year. Admission Requirements Components of the application for the five-year program: a) A transcript showing undergraduate coursework and GPA. For transfer students, a transcript from each institution where the student has earned 12 or more credits is required. b) Resume with the following information: Contact information Diplomas and degrees awarded and in progress Awards, honors, and grants Work experience, both volunteer and paid Extracurricular activities, including participation in research Interests and skills related to environmental science c) Answers to the following prompts (250 words or less for each prompt) i) Explain why you are interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, the areas of study in Environmental Science that you find interesting, and your long-term academic and career goals. ii) Describe your academic path to graduate school. You may choose to describe a course or experience that was instrumental in setting you on a path to environmental science, other possible majors or career trajectories you have considered, time spent away from college, academic hurdles and accomplishments, etc. If you have faced circumstances that have negatively affected your academic career to date, it would be appropriate to explain them here. iii) Describe a challenging project that you have completed, state why it was challenging, and explain the strategies you used to overcome obstacles. The project may be academic in nature but also may be related to a job, a hobby, or an extracurricular activity. iv) If you have participated in research either in a class or outside of class, describe your project and what aspects of research you find rewarding. If you have not participated in research yet, explain why you are interested in conducting research as part of coursework and/or a thesis in a Master’s degree. v) The Master’s in Environmental Science program at Christopher Newport values and supports sociocultural diversity. In your experience and/or opinion, how do a diversity of views, experiences, and ideas promote research and scholarship goals in environmental science? d) Two completed recommendation forms are required. One must be from a faculty member in the major who has taught or mentored the student in a major course or research project. 63
