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Master of Hydrographic Science at University of Southern Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi

United States of America, West Hattiesburg

University of Southern Mississippi offers the Master of Hydrographic Science as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its Stennis campus in West Hattiesburg , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 2 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for hydrographic science and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 21, 2027.

About Master of Hydrographic Science

Why Study Hydrography?

Traditionally, the hydrographer has been associated with making the sea charts for navigation. This is still an important role but, as a science and profession, hydrographic surveying has developed into a multi-disciplinary occupation. The hydrographer is involved with every aspect of ocean data from bathymetric mapping of the ocean floor, managing large marine data sets, exploring for the minerals that lie far beneath, measuring currents, tides and waves, and observing the ocean environment.

Our Hydrography degrees comprise only 1 of 3 programs in North America that are Recognized by the International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers for technical professionals.

There are two hydrography related graduate programs at USM. One offers a Master's in Hydrographic Science, the other offers a Ph.D. in Marine Science with an emphasis in Hydrography. The M.S. degree program in Hydrographic Science is a non-thesis degree program. The M.S. program is also known as The Joint International Hydrographic Applied Science Program (JIHASP) at USM and is conducted jointly by USM and the Naval Oceanographic Office. Through the PhD track, a doctoral thesis is completed under the advisement of a marine science faculty member.

Data mining for all existing spatially-related information for the project area
Planning, preparation and development of Hydrographic Survey Specifications for the project area
Data collection (multi-beam, single-beam, side-scan sonar, tides, sound velocity, shoreline, navaids, etc.)
Data processing and analysis
Quality assurance checks to determine if international standards have been met
Electronic Navigational Chart production
Completion of a comprehensive Report of Survey meeting the standards of the current NOAA Hydrographic Survey specifications and deliverables
Presentation of the project and results to the examination committee

See our Alumni and the spectrum of careers they have entered.

Disciplines

School of Ocean Science and Engineering

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Hydrographic Science at University of Southern Mississippi

Entry Requirements

Graduate application materials for international applicants are collected by the International Admissions office. Admission to a graduate program must first be approved by the chair of the department in which the student plans to study. After approval by the department, admission decisions are approved by the college dean and The Graduate School.

Prospective international students must provide proof of English proficiency through a TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or iTEP exam. Some departments may require GRE, GMAT, or MAT. You should check your particular department to find out which exam is required for admission to your proposed program.

Applications will be forwarded to the academic department for review when all required application materials have been submitted. These items should be received before the deadline date of the semester for which the student is applying.

Admission is competitive and based on a holistic review of the applicant’s credentials by departments. The University sets minimum requirements for regular admission into graduate school, including:

Online Application
$60 non-refundable application fee
Minimum GPA of 2.75/4.00 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
Good standing at last university attended
Official transcripts and degree certificates or diplomas from all previous colleges or universities attended
Official TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English, PTE, or iTEP scores (The ETS code used for test reporting to The University of Southern Mississippi is 1479)
Official copy of GRE, GMAT, or MAT score from testing service (not required for all programs, Graduate School also maintains a list under the Test Requirements dropdown. It is best to check with your academic department for the most up to date information.)
Three letters of recommendation (upload to application file)
Statement of Purpose or writing sample (according to departmental requirements)
Immunization records (required prior to enrolling in classes if admitted)

Individual graduate programs may have additional or more stringent requirements. Departmental websites should be consulted for more details about program-specific expectations for admission.

Please mail official transcripts to:

If using a courier service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL (FedEx and UPS are preferred):

Elizabeth Shoemake
The University of Southern Mississippi
International Admissions #5135
2609 West 4th Street
Hattiesburg MS 39401-5876

If mailing form within the United States:

The University of Southern Mississippi 
Office of International Admissions
118 College Drive # 5135
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001  USA

English Requirements

PTEMin 54
IELTSMin 6
TOEFLMin 71

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Hydrographic Science at University of Southern Mississippi

Application Fee 60

How to Apply for Master of Hydrographic Science at University of Southern Mississippi

Create your application account or sign-in using your previously created account information. Once you have verified your account, begin your application. Please be aware that you are completing an application for admission to a specific program for a specific entry term. If you wish to apply to more than one program, you will need to complete multiple applications.

As you complete your application, make note of the required application materials and prompts. You may upload required materials before submitting your application or after paying your application fee.

After submitting your application, log back into your application portal to upload your resume, statement of purpose and other program-specific required documents and to track the progress of your application and other outstanding application materials. Please be aware that application materials will not be returned to the applicant nor forwarded to other institutions.

Your application must be submitted and the $60 application fee must be paid before the application deadline. Application waivers are available for active members, reservists, and veterans of the U.S. armed forces, current or former participants in the McNair Scholars program, recipients of a Fulbright Student Scholar award, and full-time permanent employees of The University of Southern Mississippi.

Master of Hydrographic Science at University of Southern Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi

United States of America, West Hattiesburg