Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences

Degree Programs:

• Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences – MAq
• Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences – MS
• Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences – PhD

The FAAS graduate program prepares students for productive careers in academia and the private and public sectors in aquaculture, aquatic resource management and ecology, and fisheries biology and management. The Department offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (MS - thesis and non-thesis), Master of Aquaculture (MAq - non-thesis), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.

Students desiring admission for graduate study should have a degree from a recognized academic institution, adequate course work in biology, zoology, botany, chemistry, physics, and mathematics and submit GRE scores. Otherwise qualified students lacking an adequate background in these areas may be admitted but may be required to correct deficiencies after they enroll at Auburn. Applicants must also meet minimum requirements of the Graduate School including English language requirements. Evaluation of applicants includes academic records, GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and past professional history.

The thesis-based Master of Science degree prepares the student for aquatic resource or aquaculture related careers as well as further studies toward a PhD degree. A minimum of 30 semester hours of 6000-level or above are required. A minimum of 21 semester hours (which includes FISH 7990) of 6000-level and above courses must be taken within the major area of concentration and at least an additional 9 hours taken in a separate but closely related area of concentration. A minimum of 4 semester hours of FISH 7990 (Research and Thesis) is required but no more than 6 semester hours may be counted toward the degree. In addition to the required course work, the student must complete research and a written thesis and pass a comprehensive examination on research and course work as defined by the student's advisory committee.

The non-thesis Master of Science degree prepares the student for a variety of less research focused aquatic resource or aquaculture related careers. A minimum of 34 semester hours, including at least 3 hours from one of these courses, FISH 7460, FISH 7900, FISH 7920, or FISH 7960, are required. In addition to the required course work, the student must pass a comprehensive examination on their relevant experiences and course work as defined by the student's advisory committee.

The MAq is a non-thesis degree that prepares a student for a career in aquaculture management or extension. The degree requires successful completion of a minimum of 40 semester hours beyond the bachelors' degree and includes a 3 to 5 - month internship. In addition, students must pass a comprehensive oral examination after completion of all course work and internship.

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program usually requires that the student has a master's degree from a recognized graduate program. The doctoral program emphasizes original scholarly research and includes significant advanced coursework. The PhD degree requires a minimum of 60 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree, of which a minimum of 31 hours must be taken through Auburn University, and a dissertation describing original research. A minimum of 30 hours must be graded graduate courses. The minimum and maximum number of hours of dissertation research (FISH 8990) is 10. Students must pass a general examination, often called the "preliminary examination, typically taken after all graded course work is completed, to become a PhD candidate. The exam includes a written exam followed by an oral exam. The student becomes a candidate for the degree on successful completion of the general examination. After completion of the dissertation, the student must pass a final oral examination defending the dissertation.

All graduate students are expected to be engaged in service to the department's research and education programs as deemed appropriate by the academic adviser and department head. All students receiving departmental assistantships must be registered for at least one course (any course of at least 1 credit hour carrying an Auburn University course number) during each academic term of the assistantship. International students must meet visa requirements for coursework load. All graduate students must present an exit seminar in the department for which credit will be given as either FISH 7950 for master's or FISH 8950 for PhD's.

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test if required by the department. Auburn University’s ETS institution code is 1005.
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for Management, Finance, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Accountancy programs. Auburn’s GMAT institution codes are:
• Successful international applicants must score at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper version (pBT), 213 on the computer version (cBT), and 79 on the internet version (iBT). Additionally, successful applicants must score minimums of 16 on the listening, reading, speaking, and writing components of the iBT. Auburn University’s ETS institution code is 1005. Auburn will also accept a 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

  International applicants required to submit a language test score have several options of certifying their English proficiency.

  The TOEFL or IELTS will be the only accepted language proficiency tests for admission to Auburn University Graduate School. We do not accept the Duolingo English Test.

  ETS has also created the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition to meet the needs of students who are unable to take the test in a test center due to COVID-19. The test is taken on your own computer at home and is identical in content, format and on-screen experience to the TOEFL iBT test taken at a test center. Visit The TOEFL Tests (ets.org) for more information.

• Up to three (3) letters of recommendation may be required by the department. Applicants should contact the department to find out, first, if letters are required. If so, how many? And how should these letters be submitted?
• International applicants must demonstrate full financial sponsorship if accepted into a graduate program, proof of a comprehensive medical insurance plan and submit an Official Statement Of Finance for International Students Form for 2023-2024. For more information, review our International Instructions.
• One official transcript of all undergraduate and any graduate credits from each school previously attended. If an Auburn University transcript, the Graduate School will acquire the transcript for you. Official electronic transcripts from domestic institutions may be sent to [email protected].
• International applicants should provide an official original language transcript and final diploma/certificate(s) accompanied by a certified English translation of each document.
• Application fee payment: $60 for domestic students; $70 for international students. The following applicants are eligible for a fee waiver:
  • Current Auburn University graduate students enrolled in graduate courses
  • Full-time Auburn University employees
  • Alabama HBCU applicants from the following schools (first 300 received per year): Alabama A&M and Alabama State Universities, Concordia, Miles, Stillman and Talladega Colleges, Oakwood & Tuskegee Universities – submit copy of school ID
  • Ronald McNair Scholars – must submit a memo from sponsoring institution
  • Florida A&M Feeders Program – must submit a memo from Faculty sponsor
  • GEM applicants – must submit a copy of their GEM application
  • Active Duty Military – with a letter confirming duty
  • Applying for an approved dual program – the second application fee is waived

  To qualify for one of the application fee exemptions, you must submit the required documentation to the Graduate School.