Master of Climate Sciences at Utah State University

Utah State University offers the Master of Climate Sciences as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Logan , 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 climate sciences and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 29, 2027.

About Master of Climate Sciences

USU is the only university in the region that offers a degree in climate science. Climate Science is the study of the atmosphere, land, water cycle and how they interact and change. The program at USU focuses on climate variability, prediction/attribution, land surface processes, paleoclimate, and exchanges between land ecosystems and the atmosphere. These subjects impact agricultural crops, rangelands in the area, and mountain ecosystems, which are especially important to the Intermountain West, as they are the main source of water resources.

Research conducted by faculty are cutting-edge projects dealing with the climate and its connections to water cycle and land surfaces, with a focus in the intermountain region and also around the world. This research includes: cycles of climate, what causes the droughts and wet episodes, regional-scale climate, and the effects of land surface changes on climate.

Students at USU have the unique opportunity to acquire both a theoretical and modeling education, as well as learning how to make actual measurements outdoors. Most universities programs are limited to one or the other. Students can work on a variety of research topics, including climate dynamics and variability, regional climate modeling, modeling of hydrological processes, spatial variation in surface fluxes of carbon dioxide and water vapor, micrometeorology, remote sensing, and more.

Because USUs biometeorology program is designated as a Western Regional Graduate Program, students from participating western states qualify for in-state tuition. For more information, visit http://wrgp.wiche.edu.

Specialization(s):

Climate Dynamics: The field that combines the processes that control climate and its variability. This includes the interaction of the atmosphere, the oceans, the land surfaces, the cryosphere and the biosphere. The study of Climate Dynamics covers most aspects of the dynamics of global climate systems, including analytical and numerical modeling research on the global and regional climate systems.
Micrometeorology: The study of weather conditions on a small scale, as in the area immediately around a building, smokestack, or mountain.
Hydroclimate Modeling: Climate models use quantitative (numerical) methods to simulate the important drivers of climate, including atmosphere, oceans, land surface and ice, as well as how they interact and evolve. Climate models are also used to project future climate change and generate predictions for a variety of timescales.
Turbulence in Plant Canopies: Study the turbulent flow in the plant environment to better understand the processes governing momentum, heat and mass exchange between the atmosphere and the biologically active canopy.
Climate Adaptation Science (Climate Sciences MS & PhD): The Climate Adaptation Science specialization provides students with experiences in actionable science through internship and research experiences. Program includes interdisciplinary research to identify adaptive responses to changing climate extremes and two-part internships with agency, NGO, and industry partners. In a first internship, students contribute to projects and learn the workplace cultures and science needs of the host. The internship experiences inform interdisciplinary climate adaptation research by student teams. In a second internship, students share science results and tools with the host organization and help put that science into action.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Climate Sciences at Utah State University

Entry Requirements

Have the requisite degree for your intended program by the time you are matriculated.
3.0 or higher GPA for the terms that include your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits.
Score at or above the 40th percentile on appropriate admissions test.
- Some programs may accept a portfolio in place of admissions test score. Contact the department for details.
Meet any additional requirements for the program.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6
TOEFLMin 71

English Program Requirements

Students who do not demonstrate the required English proficiency scores, but are academically qualified, may be considered for admission to the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) on the Logan campus. If admitted, students complete required English language courses before beginning their academic coursework.

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Climate Sciences

Employment of climate scientists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The best job prospects for climate science major are projected to be in private industry, one that will increasingly tackle climate change impacts on society (as a way to formulate insurance policy, for example). This job demand has been growing for the costal regions (hurricanes and sea level rise), the Great Plains (tornado alley), and western states (drought and large fires).

The job market for climate-background personnel is going through a transformational change, from sections asking people of diverse background to conduct climate-related tasks into companies directly recruiting climate scientists or risk managements. New computer models have vastly improved the accuracy and extent of forecasts and allowed climate scientists or meteorologists to tailor climate prediction to specific purposes. This will increase the need for climate scientists working in private industry as businesses demand more specialized weather and climate information.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Climate Sciences at Utah State University

How to Apply for Master of Climate Sciences at Utah State University

1. Visit Our Website

a. Go to gradschool.usu.edu/apply/ to start the application process.

b. Read all admissions requirements on our website.

c. Click on the “Apply Now” button to create an account to apply.

2. Fill Out Application

a. Fill out the following information:

i. Personal

ii. Demographic

iii. Misdemeanor/Felony information, if necessary

iv. Citizenship

v. Academic History

vi. Intended Program of Study Information

vii. NOTE: You cannot submit supplemental items until you have filled out all personal and demographic information, submitted the application, and paid the application fee.

b. Make sure to select the correct entry term (e.g., Spring 2022, Fall 2022, etc.)

c. Submit the application and pay the fee.

i. If you have a waiver code, use it in the discount code box to waive the fee.

3. Supplemental Items

a. Log back into the USU Recruit Application Portal.

b. Enter your application to submit items.

c. Required supplemental items may include, but are not limited to, the following (Please check with your intended program for specific details):

i. Transcripts

1. USU applicants do not need to send transcripts. We pull them from our system for you.

2. All other applicants, please send your official transcripts to the following address:

a. School of Graduate Studies

Utah State University

0900 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322-0900

b. Please note that in order to be considered official, the transcript must (1) be sent directly from the institution to Utah State University, or (2) be forwarded by the applicant with the transcript remaining in the original, unopened envelope from the institution.

ii. Letters of Recommendation

1. Fill out the recommendation request forms. Recommendations must come from referee, not from applicant, to be considered valid.

iii. Statement of Purpose

iv. Test Scores

1. GRE Scores

a. Send to school code 4857

2. MAT Scores

a. Send to school code 2273

3. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

d. International applicants must also include:

i. Proof of English language proficiency through one of the options below.

1.TOEFL Scores – 71 or higher

a. Send to school code 4857

2. IELTS Academic Scores – 6.0 or higher

a. Upload student copy to application, clearly showing TRF number.

b. Our test score processor will upload official scores.

3. Completion of at least 24 credits of post-secondary/university course work taught in the U.S. in English, excluding English as a second language courses. Courses must have been taken at an accredited college or university to be considered for direct admission.

4. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

ii. A certified English translation of any transcript originally penned in another language.

1. Due to COVID-19 constraints, Utah State University is temporarily accepting unofficial transcripts from international applicants. Upon admittance, students will be required to submit an official transcript before registering for classes.

iii. Proof of Financial Support

1. Affidavit of Financial Support

2. Bank Statement Copy

iv. Passport Copy

v. International applicants can direct any questions not related to the information above to the Office of Global Engagement.

Master of Climate Sciences at Utah State University

Utah State University

United States of America, Logan