Our M.S. in Environmental Science offers flexible learning options and interdisciplinary research opportunities to address today's environmental challenges.

MS in Environmental Studies Overview

With UMass Lowell's Master of Science in Environmental Science, you will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to address issues related to the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. Prepare to develop sustainable solutions to today's most pressing environmental challenges with our interdisciplinary curriculum and diverse research and professional development opportunities.

Environmental Studies Curriculum

The M.S. in Environmental Studies is a 30-credit master's degree with an optional thesis. Numerous opportunities for experiential learning in the field are available.

Choose an option to align your degree with your academic interests and career goals.

  • Atmospheric Science Option — This option is designed for students interested in weather forecasting, atmospheric pollution, wind energy and related topics. In addition to courses in meteorology and atmospheric sciences, the curriculum includes requirements in environmental policy, economics, energy and the environment.
  • Environmental Geoscience Option — This option is designed for students to gain knowledge and skills to conduct research and act as a consultant in environmental sciences and geosciences. Courses are distributed across two areas – Policy/Economics and Environmental Geoscience.

Why Study Environmental Studies at UMass Lowell?

Man working with rocks in Antarctica

Hands-on Research

Gain a competitive edge by conducting research with faculty in forecasting, climate modeling, hydrology, surface processes or geochemistry/petrology.
Christopher Skinner points at the pyranometer. Image by Brooke Coupal

Laboratories & Resources

UMass Lowell has a range of laboratories and resources for teaching and research, including the UMass Lowell Weather Station; fully equipped weather, environmental geoscience and modern gamma ray spectroscopy laboratories; a research reactor; ground-penetrating radar equipment and extensive rock, mineral and fossil collections.
Environmental Science student Abraham Mudoola harvests peppers on O’Leary Library rooftop garden at UMass Lowell.

Where Our Graduates Work

  • NOAA National Weather Service
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Department of Energy
  • United States Geological Survey
  • Environmental consulting firms
  • Teachers at local high schools 
  • MIT Lincoln Labs

Tuition and Admissions

Eligible students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial assistance.

Complete the FAFSA

As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal student aid and other need-based scholarships. To be considered for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more at UMass Lowell Graduate Aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens. Please visit Financial Aid if you have questions about your eligibility.

Kennedy College of Sciences master’s and doctoral applicants must submit:

  1. An application
  2. An application fee
  3. A statement of purpose
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Official test score report (required for some programs, waiver form available)

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated. If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents, log on to your application, click on “Program Materials” to update your application. Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.  

Chemistry and Polymer Science Ph.D. Applicants: All required documents must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by Feb. 15 to receive full consideration for Fall semester acceptance. Applications completed after this deadline will be considered for acceptance in the subsequent semester.

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will not need to apply via the application portal, Visit the Bachelor's to Master's page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications are only being accepted using the online process. Instructions are included in the online application link.

Tips for accessing and completing the online application:

  • Capitalize your proper name.
  • Once the form is submitted, changes can only be made by calling the Office of Graduate Admissions at 978-934-2390.

Apply for Spring 2025

Apply for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026

app-fee 2. Application Fees

The application fee is $50 for each application and is non-refundable. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or application fee waiver has been approved and delivered to the Office of Graduate Admissions.


3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

4. Letters of Recommendation recommendation

Master's applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation except Medical Physics applicants which requires three (3) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to submit three letters of recommendation. You will be asked to provide (names and email addresses) referees during the application process, and that an automated request will be sent out after the completion of your application. Alternatively, you may use the graduate admissions recommendation form (pdf) to request letters of recommendations.

Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. Recommendations may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. Please use the recommendation form for these.

5. Official Transcripts transcripts

Provide a complete and official transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor’s degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

Transcripts should be sent in sealed and signed envelopes mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you received your degree from UMass Lowell, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

UMass Lowell Graduate Admissions
GPS Center
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854-3941

International transcripts that do not clearly indicate to the Office of Graduate Admissions that you have received a four-year bachelor’s degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree must be demonstrated before an application will be processed. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee at:

Center for Educational Documentation, Inc.
P.O. Box 170116
Boston, MA 02117
Telephone: 617-338-7171
Fax: 617-338-7101
Center for Educational Documentation website
World Education Services website


test-score 6. Official Test Score Report(s) (waived for most programs)

If your program requires one or more test scores reports, request that the appropriate agency send an official test score report for the GRE or GMAT to the Office of Graduate Admissions. UMass Lowell’s school code is 3911.

These programs require official test scores:

  • MS Computer Science
  • Ph.D. Computer Science
  • Medical Physics
  • Radiological Sciences

Get more information about standardized tests.

Some master's programs will waive the test score requirements under certain conditions; further information is available on the GRE/GMAT/MAT Waiver Forms webpage.

Please note:

  • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is not required.
  • Statement of Purpose: EEAS recognizes that students have encountered hardships and barriers that may have impacted their academic performance. We welcome all prospective students to address these in their Statement of Purpose. 
  • Applications for the Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Studies, Atmospheric Science and Environmental Geoscience Options, are accepted year round, but it is recommended that completed application be submitted several months before expected matriculation.

Take the Next Step

Start your online application today!

Request More Information

Take a Virtual Tour of UMass Lowell

Launch virtual tour

Explore UMass Lowell from anywhere in the world. See the spaces where our students study, create, learn and live through a self-guided, interactive tour.

Questions? Contact Us!

Phone:
800-656-4723 (U.S. Students)
978-934-2390 (International Students)

Email
Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu