MS-A

MS-A Degree Options

The Department of Community Sustainability offers a Master of Science Plan-A degree that provide students with opportunities to engage in integrated and applied research and acquire professional skills.

The Master of Science Plan-A option (also referred to as MS-A) is a research-based degree that requires completion of a thesis. MS-A emphasizes integrated and applied research and is designed as the foundation for doctoral study or other independent post-graduate, research-related work.

MS-A Admission Requirements

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or comparable degree requirements from a recognized educational institution to apply to an MS-A program with the Department of Community Sustainability.
Relevant experience and strong academic credentials in the natural, physical, or social sciences are encouraged for applicants.
Applicants must explain in their academic statement why they are interested in a multidisciplinary degree rather than a discipline-based degree.
All applicants for admission are required to submit scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Collateral courses may be required to overcome deficiencies in addition to the requirements for the master’s degree. Collateral course work will not count toward the master’s degree.
Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty to explore possible common interests and identify potential advisors.

MS-A Degree Requirements for Community Sustainability (CSUS)

A minimum of 30 credits is required for the degree under Plan A. The student’s program of study must be developed in cooperation with and approved by the student’s guidance committee and must include the requirements specified below.

Required

CSUS 800 - Foundations of Community Sustainability I (3 credits), taken first fall semester
CSUS 801 - Foundations of Community Sustainability II (3 credits), taken first spring semester
CSUS 802 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry (3 credits), taken first fall semester

Focus Area

Take a minimum of 11 credits of course work in a self-defined focal area, which may coincide with one of the department’s themes, an interdepartmental specialization, or be developed in consultation with the student’s guidance committee. At least 6 credits of this focus area must be in CSUS courses.

Research

A minimum of 3 credits of quantitative or qualitative methods, to be selected in consultation with the student’s guidance committee.
A minimum of 6 credits of Community Sustainability 899 – Master’s Thesis Research