Miami University

Family Studies & Social Work

Program Requirements

Miami's Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science offers programs leading to the M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. Qualified students holding a bachelor's degree in geology or related sciences are invited to apply for admission to the graduate program. Deficiencies in background may be made up with the undergraduate credits earned after admission.
M.A. program
The M.A. program requires a minimum of 15 hours of graduate course work in geology. Students must pass an oral examination prior to receipt of the degree.
M.S. program
The M.S. program requires a minimum of 24 hours of course work plus six semester hours of credit for thesis. There is no single prescribed curriculum for all graduate students. Course programs are developed by consultation between students and their graduate-study committees in line with the students' needs and interest. All M.S. degree candidates present an oral thesis proposal before the end of the second semester of residence. A final oral defense of thesis research is held after the thesis is completed. There is no language requirement for the M.S. degree.
Ph.D. program
The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 60 hours beyond the master's degree of which at least 15 are earned through formal course work. English is required. Ph.D. students take written examinations in four sub-disciplines of Geology. Upon successful completion of the written examinations, the student undertakes a dissertation prospectus based on the students' proposed dissertation, arranged by the student in consultation with the graduate study committee as soon as possible after the written and oral exams are passed. A final oral presentation and defense of dissertation research is held after the student has completed the dissertation.
For more information on departmental requirements and graduate student support, contact Dr. Elisabeth Widom, 513-529-5048 or via email at widome@muohio.edu.