Nov 24, 2024

2024-2025 Rowan University Academic Catalog

Accelerated Dual Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science, Master of Science in Applied Environmental Science

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

This accelerated dual degree program creates a pathway for motivated and high-achieving Rowan Environmental Science majors to obtain both a B.A. in Environmental Science and a M.S. in Applied Environmental Science in five-years rather than the traditional six if both degrees were completed independently. Students will begin graduate-level coursework in their fourth year and these credits will apply to both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The B.A. in Environmental Science offers students the additional flexibility to pursue minors and/or concentrations in adjacent fields further broadening their theoretical and practical skills. Through classroom, field, and applied experiences, students in this accelerated dual degree program will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to establish and advance their careers in environmental science in a wide range of professional settings including industry, consulting, education, and policy or further their academic training in a doctoral program.

General Education

All students starting before Fall 2018 and transfer students must complete the University General Education Requirements as described in the Undergraduate Program Requirements .

Rowan Core

All first-time Freshmen starting in Fall 2018 or after must complete the University Rowan Core Requirements as described in Undergraduate Program Requirements .

Rowan Experience

All students must complete the Rowan Experience requirements as described in Undergraduate Program Requirements .

Accelerated Dual Degree Undergraduate Program Requirements

Rowan Core Courses: 25 s.h.

Communicative Literacy

COMP 01111 - College Composition I Credits: 3
COMP 01112 - College Composition II Credits: 3
CMS 04205 - Public Speaking Credits: 3

Artistic Literacy

GEOG 16160 - Digital Earth: Mapping and Geographic Information Science Credits: 3

Global Literacy

Elective - 3 s.h.

Humanistic Literacy

Elective - 3 s.h.

Restricted Electives: 6 s.h.

2 (3 or 4 s.h.) EVSC courses at the 300 or 400 level. Additional courses are in development within Environmental Science. Other course options exist in other departments such as Biology and Chemistry. Consult with advisor.

EVSC 01325 - Renewable Energy in the Northeast Credits: 3
EVSC 01326 - Energy Transitions & Environmental Tradeoffs Credits: 3
EVSC 01330 - Scientific Computing and Analytics in Environmental Science Credits: 3
EVSC 01350 - Field Methods in Environmental Science Credits: 4
EVSC 01379 - Soil Science and Global Soil Resources Credits: 3
EVSC 01381 - Sea-Level Change: Past, Present, and Future Credits: 3
EVSC 01382 - Understanding and Analyzing Climate Change Impacts Credits: 4
EVSC 01386 - Climate & Coasts Credits: 3
EVSC 01411 - Independent Research in Environmental Science Credits: 3
EVSC 01425 - The Shaping of Earth Systems Credits: 3
EVSC 01430 - Radioactivity in the Environment Credits: 3
EVSC 01435 - Aquatic Biogeochemistry Credits: 3
EVSC 01490 - Advanced Special Topics in Environmental Science Credits: 3
EVSC 01XXX Graduate Foundational Course 1 - 3 s.h.
EVSC 01XXX Graduate Foundational Course 2 - 3 s.h.

Free Electives: 30 s.h.

EVSC 01.XXX Graduate Elective Course 1 (3 s.h.)
EVSC 01.XXX Graduate Elective Course 2 (3 s.h.)

12 credits of graduate-level coursework taken to fulfill requirements for the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science will count towards the B.A. in Environmental Science (2235). 6 of these graduate credits will count towards restricted electives for the B.A. in Environmental Science (2235) and 6 of these graduate credits will count towards free electives for the B.A. in Environmental Science (2235).

Accelerated Dual Degree Master Program Requirements

Master’s Degree in Applied Environmental Science Foundational Courses (9 s.h.) accelerated dual degree students may count 2 courses (6 s.h.) below towards restricted electives for the B.A. in Environmental Science (2235) and requirements for the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218). The exception is for EVSC 04510 Earth’s Environment and Natural Systems and EVSC 04511 The Science of Climate Change. These courses are not open to accelerated dual degree students.

EVSC 04510 - Earth’s Environment and Natural Systems Credits: 3 (Not available to BS ES/MS AES students)
EVSC 04511 - The Science of Climate Change Credits: 3 (Not available to BS ES/MS AES students)
EVSC 04512 - Applied Ecosystem Services Credits: 3
EVSC 05610 - Environmental Support Systems: Soils Credits: 3
EVSC 05612 - Environmental Support Systems: Fresh Water Credits: 3
EVSC 05613 - Environmental Support Systems: Native Plants in the Landscape Credits: 3

Required Courses

EVSC 05605 - Case Studies in Applied Environmental Science Credits: 3
and
EVSC 05685 - Applied Environmental Science Graduate Clinic Credits: 3

Elective Courses: 15 s.h.

Accelerated Dual Degree students may count 2 courses (6 s.h.) below towards free electives for the B.A. in Environmental Science (2235). These courses will count towards both the B.A. in Environmental Science (2235) and M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218). Additional 600 level courses from the Foundational bank may be taken in consultation with advisor. Students are also permitted to take related elective courses from other Rowan graduate programs, such as biology, chemistry, environmental studies, and engineering. Electives outside the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) program must have the approval of the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) program director.

EVSC 05550 - Principles of Green Energy Credits: 3
EVSC 05560 - Industrial Health and Safety Credits: 3
EVSC 05620 - Research Design in Environmental Science Credits: 3
EVSC 05630 - Communicating Environmental Science Credits: 3
EVSC 05631 - Protecting & Preserving Coastal Ecosystems Credits: 3
EVSC 05656 - Advanced Energy Transitions & Environmental Tradeoffs Credits: 3
EVSC 05660 - Risk Assessment Credits: 3

Total Required Credits for the Graduate Portion of the Program: 30 s.h.

This number includes the 12 graduate credits that may be applied towards both the graduate and undergraduate portions of the program.

Total Required Credits for the Entire ADD Program: 138 s.h.

Requirements for Admission

The admission requirements for the B.A. Environmental Science (2235)/M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) Program are as follows:

Students may be admitted to this program as early as the summer after their freshman year (30 credits). Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure timely completion of the program, but assuming they’ve taken the required courses listed below, they may apply at a later point. Transfer students with at least 30 credits may apply after they have earned at least 15 credits at Rowan, i.e. in their second semester at Rowan. Students must earn a C minimum grade in M.S. prerequisite courses as noted below and at least a C in all courses that count towards the B.A. in Environmental Science (2235) major.

Sophomore Admission: After completing their freshman year or 30 credits, students who meet the criteria listed below may apply to this program:

Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework.

Junior Admission: After earning 60 credits, students who apply to the program must meet the criteria listed below:

Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework

Completion of EVSC 01202 Environmental Science Research Methods and Data Analysis and EVSC 01220 Global Climate Crisis with at least a C

Requirements for beginning the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) program as a Senior (90 credits):

To begin the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) program in their senior year, students who have been accepted into this accelerated dual degree program must meet the criteria listed below. The coordinator of the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) program will assess whether the student has met the requirements necessary to begin taking M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) courses. The coordinator of Environmental Science programs will assess the student’s record in the B.A. in Environmental Science (2235).

Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework

Completion of at least 6 of the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) prerequisite courses listed

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from this accelerated dual degree program with a B.A. in Environmental Science (2235) and a M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) students must:

Complete all requirements for the B.A. Environmental Science (2235), including General Education and Rowan Experience requirements

Complete all prerequisites M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) program

Complete all requirements for the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218)

Achieve a 3.0 overall GPA in the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) with no grade lower than C and no more than two Cs.

Student Status and Contingency Plan

Students will be expected to maintain satisfactory progress through the program, maintain an overall 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework, earn at least B’s in all M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) prerequisite courses, and meet the criteria for the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) (i.e. achieve a 3.0 overall GPA with no grade lower than C and no more than two C’s). Any student who fails to maintain satisfactory progress as described above will be placed on probation within the program for one semester. If the student’s performance still does not improve, they will be dropped from the accelerated program. Students with documented extenuating circumstances may request an exception to this requirement by obtaining written approval of the M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) Coordinator.

Students enrolled in this accelerated B.A. Environmental Science (2235)/M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) program may take up to 12 credits of graduate courses at the undergraduate rate in their senior year providing they meet the criteria listed above. Students may count up to 12 credits of their graduate courses towards their B.A. in Environmental Science (2235) requirements; 6 credits will count as restricted electives and 6 credits will count as free electives towards the 120 credits required for a B.A. in Environmental Science (2235) Beyond this, students will pay graduate tuition rates for their M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) courses.

Students who are dropped from the accelerated graduate program or choose not to complete the B.A. Environmental Science (2235)/M.S. in Applied Environmental Science (G218) accelerated dual degree program may earn a B.A. in Environmental Science (2235) once they have completed all requirements for that undergraduate degree, achieved at least a 2.0 GPA, and earned at least 120 credits. Students may count up to 12 credits of their graduate courses towards their B.A. in Environmental Science (2235) requirements; 6 credits will count as restricted electives and 6 credits will count as free electives towards the 120 credits required for a B.A. in Environmental Science (2235).

Advisor Contact Information
Dr. Christina Pellegrino
856.256.5541
pellegrinoc@rowan.edu