Earn a PSM degree in marine science and technology
Today's professionals in the maritime sectors of industry, government, and non-governmental organizations are expected to develop policy and planning options while managing both living and non-living marine resources based upon the best available science and technology. Similarly, technologists, engineers, marine biologists, and scientists are faced with managing personnel, funds, and businesses in increasingly challenging fiscal and policy environments.
Enter the workforce with an edge on the competition
UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology offers the Coastal and Ocean Administration, Science and Technology Professional Science Master’s (COAST PSM) program. This program is designed to enable students to enter the workforce immediately. If you are currently employed, the COAST PSM is an excellent way to broaden your knowledge in marine science, technology, and business practices while advancing your career.
SMAST's Professional Science Master's degree is ideal for individuals with a bachelor's degree in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) disciplines who want to pursue marine science-related careers in the private sector or governmental or non-governmental organization. Individuals with master's degrees typically earn higher salaries over the course of their careers.
Program overview
The COAST PSM degree is conferred through the University of Massachusetts’ system-wide Intercampus Marine Science program. This connection gives PSM students access to the resources and faculty of four campuses, and allows them to take courses elsewhere in the UMass system at UMass Dartmouth tuition rates.
Topics of study include:
- environmental impacts of climate change
- climate resiliency
- regulations & policies
- offshore wind development
Student success
"SMAST’s Professional Science Master’s program encouraged me to pursue my dream job at Washington State University where I analyzed environmental samples for stable isotopes and trained students from the bachelor’s degree to post-doc levels on how to run isotopic ratio mass spectrometer."
- Completion of 11 courses, plus an internship
- Courses include two core courses from among the 4 science core courses in biological, chemical, geological and
physical oceanography - An additional, third core course in marine policy and/or management areas (including law and economics)
is also required. - The remaining 8 elective courses include:
4 science electives–12 credits
2 elective “Plus” courses (includes such areas as communication, project management, and science leadership)–6 credits
2 courses selected from science AND/OR “Plus” electives, chosen to fit the student’s area of concentration-6 credits
Changes to Graduate Studies admission requirements
In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, admission requirements for graduate degree and certificate programs may have changed.
Learn more about changes to requirements
- Successful applicants will have met the following criteria:
Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher - Completion of an undergraduate major in one of the basic scientific disciplines or engineering, or strong multidisciplinary training
- Completion of at least six semesters of coursework in the natural sciences, generally to include biology, chemistry, and/or physics
- Preparation in mathematics at least through integral calculus is strongly encouraged
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (sent directly from ETS) are recommended for PSM applicants and required of all others. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required if the applicant is not a native English speaker. Typically, GREs should have a combined score of 1200 or greater. For the TOEFL, a minimum of 577 (233 on the computer based exam, 90-91 on the internet based exam) is highly recommended
Marine Science and Technology Faculty
Students are taught by some of the most distinguished faculty in the fields of marine science. SMAST faculty pursue cutting-edge research in biogeochemical cycling, coastal ecosystem dynamics and restoration marine computational modeling, fisheries science and management, marine renewable energy, ocean observing/remote sensing, and ocean physics.