M.S. Program
Students granted admission into the MS program in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science have a wide variety of undergraduate backgrounds, such as meteorology, physics, chemistry, engineering, and mathematics. The faculty encourages superior students from disciplines other than the atmospheric sciences to apply for admission to graduate study.
An MS degree recipient will have demonstrated a broad, thorough knowledge of the major areas within the atmospheric sciences as well as an ability to complete and summarize a research study. A successful MS candidate must also write and defend a thesis or paper approved by three committee members and the Department Head. The Master's program normally requires two to two and one-half years to complete.
Ph.D. Program
PhD degree recipients will have demonstrated, in addition to the broad level of knowledge required of an MS candidate, both an expertise in an area of the discipline and an ability to perform independent, creative research within that area. A successful PhD candidate must pass four exams, the Candidacy, Technical English Competency, Comprehensive, and Final Oral Exam, and must write a dissertation summarizing the performed research. The PhD committee has at least four members of the Graduate Faculty and is normally chaired by the candidate's adviser. The PhD program may require up to five years to complete or six years if an MS is earned as well.
Climate Science Dual-Title Doctoral Degree Program
In addition to a PhD in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, students with research and educational interest in climate science may apply for admission to the Climate Science Dual-Title Degree Program (CLSCI) after being admitted to a participating primary PhD program, such as Meteorology and Atmospheric Science.