College of Sciences and Humanities
Department of Earth Sciences
www.kent.edu/earth-sciences

About This Program

Dive deeper into the forces shaping our planet with Kent State’s M.S. in Geology, where you’ll explore everything from climate change and natural resources to geohazards and Earth system evolution. Through hands-on research and specialized study, you’ll build the advanced skills needed to tackle real-world environmental challenges and pursue careers in consulting, resource management or beyond. Read more...

Contact Information

• Daniel Holm | dholm@kent.edu | 330-672-4094

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: January 15

Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students must complete minimum 8 credit hours at or above the 60000 level.

²

Upon the completion of the thesis proposal defense, students must register for ESCI 60199 each semester and, if necessary, for ESCI 60299 thereafter, until all thesis requirements have been met. Credit hours for ESCI 60299 do not count toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements

• Students must participate in required orientation and colloquia.
• Students must accept and publicly defend thesis that incorporates the results of a program of original geologic research.
• All students will have a fundamental knowledge and understanding of earth materials by the end of the second year in the program. This will be fulfilled by a lecture and lab course in Earth materials or an equivalent course related to mineralogy and/or petrology as determined by the graduate coordinator.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Show in-depth comprehension of several areas, including both basic and applied aspects of geology/earth sciences.
2. Formulate testable scientific hypotheses and carry out independent research using appropriate field, experimental, analytical and/or computational methods.
3. Describe, synthesize and interpret the results of a scientific investigation and understand its broader applications.

Full Description

The Master of Science degree in Geology provides qualified students the opportunity for advanced study in a wide variety of geologic fields. Focus areas include environmental research (water, surface and subsurface processes; geohazards; and natural resources), as well as evolution of earth's systems research (climate change, paleoecology and evolution, crustal processes).