Accelerated Masters

In five years, well-qualified students can earn both their bachelor's and master's in environmental science through our Accelerated Master's Program (AMP).

Accelerated Masters Requirements

If you are interested in our accelerated master's program, get involved with research in your junior year or as soon as possible.

Any directed research at the undergraduate level earns credit towards your undergraduate degree and could provide access to potential Master’s research projects. The bachelor's in environmental science is a corresponding degree to students interested in the Accelerated Master's Program in Atmospheric Science.

Eligibility Criteria

Thesis option: Students must have an active research area at the time of application and be accepted into a research group by a professor.

Master’s Report option: Students may choose to submit a professional report, approved by the committee and the department head, in the field of environmental or soil science in lieu of a thesis.

Other eligibility criteria include:

• Completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credit hours is required at the time of application
  • Minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours is required at the time of entry into the AMP
  • If a student's GPA falls below 3.3 at the time they have completed 90 units, the student will not be admitted into the program
  • Courses taken for audit cannot be included in the total number of units counted for eligibility or admission.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a minimum of 12 units of undergraduate at the University of Arizona
• Completion of at least 12 earned undergraduate credits in the Environmental Science major at The University of Arizona's main campus
  • Units still graded Incomplete, units graded Pass/Fail or units taken as audit will not count toward the requirement of the 12 undergraduate units
• Completion or near completion of general education requirements
• Submission of a graduate application and payment of a graduate application fee
• Expectation to complete the undergraduate degree within four years
  • Undergraduate degree requirements must be completed before the student is eligible to have the Master's degree awarded

Application Process

• Submit a formal application online via the University of Arizona Graduate College’s admissions portal: UA GradApp
  • Use your UA email account and NetID when registering a new account
• Under program of study select the AMP Environmental Science (MS).
• In addition to the Graduate College application, supplementary application materials are required:
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Transcripts (unofficial are acceptable)
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • Including a letter from the prospective Major Professor: the Major Professor serves will serve as the Master’s student advisor and mentor.
• Fee of $75 that is payable upon the application's submission
  • You may view the status of their application at any time once they login to the portal.

Thesis

If you choose this option:

• Enroll 2-8 units for working on their thesis
• Presenting research results in a formal Master’s thesis defense to the department

• You can find information on formatting your thesis on the University of Arizona Graduate College.

• Major Professor: faculty member in your area of study that acts as a mentor and helps keep your graduate study on track
  • You may have a co-director or committee member outside of the department
• Committee: At least 3 faculty members that guide your academic program and all examinations
  • The Major Professor and one additional member must be tenure-track faculty
  • Two must hold faculty appointments in our department
  • Special committee members must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate College

Non-Thesis

You may choose to submit a professional report, approved by your committee and the department head, in the field of environmental or soil science in lieu of a thesis.

If you choose this option:

• Register for 1-2 credits of Master's Report (ENVS 909) in the semester you complete the report
• Present a seminar to the department in lieu of a Thesis Defense
• The report must be read and approved by at least 2 tenure-track faculty and one special committee member
• All other requirements for a Master of Science is the same as the thesis option.

• Major Professor: faculty member in your area of study that acts as a mentor and helps keep your graduate study on track
  • You may have a co-director or committee member outside of the department
• Committee: At least 3 faculty members that guide your academic program and all examinations
  • The Major Professor and one additional member must be tenure-track faculty
  • Two must hold faculty appointments in our department
  • Special committee members must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate College