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

• Program Coordinator: 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) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.

Application Deadline

• 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

• Participation in required orientation and colloquia
• Accepted and publicly defended 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.

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.