Admissions

Admission to the EVSS Program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Students with any major are encouraged to apply, but must have a sufficient background in the natural sciences. Other minimum admissions requirements are listed below. Some applicants may not satisfy all requirements.  Every effort will be made to accommodate such applicants through preparatory classes at the College of Charleston. Exceptions can be made on an individual basis, depending on a candidate's background or experience.

Prospective students may apply online through the Graduate School at the College of Charleston.

Minimum Requirements

  • An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4)

  • Updated Resume

  • Applicants must have undergraduate coursework in biology (two courses with labs), chemistry (two courses with labs), and statistics (one semester). One year of another physical or natural science may be substituted for either biology or chemistry. The admissions committee recognizes that some applicants with exceptional backgrounds and training in other areas – either another science or social science – may wish to enter the program. These applicants are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but should understand that they may be required to take one or more additional courses to meet the prerequisites of the program.
  • Two letters of recommendation that specifically address the applicant's academic qualifications and career potential in environmental studies.

  • A statement of goals should be 1-2 pages single-spaced with 1-inch margins in Times New Roman or similar font. Please briefly explain your past experience and professional achievements that pertain to this program. This statement should focus on not only your academic goals for the research, classes and experience you want to gain in this master’s program, but also your professional goals, such as the career field you want to pursue and how this program will play a role in your career trajectory. If you have any questions about the statement of goals, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Program Coordinator, Lucy Davis, davislh@cofc.edu

Also, as a prerequisite to the core course EVSS 659: Environmental Statistics (offered in the Spring), applicants must either take MATH 250: Statistical Methods I (an undergraduate course offered by the College of Charleston) or an equivalent college level statistics course. The core course EVSS 624: Biometry may be taken in the place of EVSS 659: Environmental Statistics in order to fulfill the EVSS Program statistics requirement. Both courses require a background in statistics as a prerequisite.
In order to meet this prerequisite, students MUST have successfully completed one of the following:

  • MATH 250: Statistical Methods I (an undergraduate course offered by the College of Charleston)

  • A college level statistics course, taken at another institution, that is equivalent to MATH 250

Application Deadlines

  • Fall
    • Priority Deadline: January 15th
    • Final Deadline: July 1st
  • Spring
    • Priority Deadline: November 1st
    • Final Deadline: Decemeber 1st
  • Summer
    • Deadline: March 1

Non-Degree Students

Non-degree-seeking students who desire to take courses in the MES program (but not pursue the degree) are welcome to enroll in EVSS courses on a space-avaialable basis. To enroll as a non-degree student, you must:

  • Apply to the EVSS Program.
    • 2 letters of recommendation are not required.
    • Updated resume
  • Provide verification of successful completion of an undergraduate degree with at least a 3.000 GPA.
  • Provide official transcripts.
  • Receive the written permission of the director.

Non-degree students can only take 6 hours of graduate EVSS courses prior to enrolling as a degree-seeking student.

Note: Course registration for non-degree students opens several weeks after registration opens for degree-seeking students. Some EVSS courses do require prerequisites; talk to the Program Director prior to course registration to ensure any prerequisites have been met.

Contact

For more information about the Graduate School please email gradstud@cofc.edu.

Contact the EVSS Program:

EVSS Program
The College of Charleston
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424

Phone: (843) 953-2000
Fax: (843) 953-2001

Program Coordinator
Lucy Davis
davislh@cofc.edu