College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Earth Sciences
www.kent.edu/earth-sciences

About This Program

The Master of Science degree in Geology provides qualified students the opportunity for advanced study in a wide variety of geologic fields. Focus areas include environmental research (water, surface and subsurface processes; geohazards; and natural resources), as well as evolution of earth's systems research (climate change, paleoecology and evolution, crustal processes).

Contact Information

• David Singer | dsinger4@kent.edu |
  330-672-3006

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: January 15
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students must complete 9 credit hours at the 60000-level.

²

Upon the completion of the thesis proposal defense, the student registers for 6 credit hours of ESCI 60199. Thereafter, the student must be continuously registered in ESCI 60299 until all degree requirements are met.

Graduation Requirements

• Students must participate in required orientation and colloquia.
• Students must accept and publicly defend thesis that incorporates the results of a program of original geologic research.
• All students will have a fundamental knowledge and understanding of earth materials by the end of the second year in the program. This will be fulfilled by a lecture and lab course in Earth Materials or an equivalent course related to mineralogy and/or petrology as determined by the graduate coordinator.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Show in-depth comprehension of several areas, including both basic and applied aspects of geology/earth sciences.
2. Formulate testable scientific hypotheses and carry out independent research using appropriate field, experimental, analytical and/or computational methods.
3. Describe, synthesize and interpret the results of a scientific investigation and understand its broader applications.