UMass Dartmouth's School for Marine Science and Technology offers world-class marine science graduate programs designed to tackle today’s most pressing oceanographic challenges.

Oceanography PhD student Bailey Avila working in the lab

Graduate degree options

Courses emphasize ocean technology, climate change, offshore wind development, & fisheries management and sustainability.

Course List

SMAST graduate students working with fishing captains near Block Island wind farm

Cooperative research

Pursue coastal research with some of the most highly regarded oceanographic institutions as well as government and industry organizations.

Collaborations

SMAST graduates at the 2024 commencement ceremony

Financial aid

We may be able to help finance your education. Before you apply, contact SMAST faculty to learn about assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships.

Admissions & Aid

SMAST news and events

Stay informed with the latest news and events from UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology, highlighting groundbreaking research, faculty expertise, and student success.

Melissa Cronin, assistant professor of fisheries oceanography at SMAST, leader of the Shared Seas lab

2025 News

New lab at SMAST focuses on fishing communities and manta ray conservation

National Geographic explorer Melissa Cronin leads the Shared Seas lab at SMAST

New lab at SMAST focuses on fishing communities and manta ray conservation

National Geographic explorer Melissa Cronin leads the Shared Seas lab at SMAST

SMAST partners with New Bedford Port Authority to study the effects of wind energy areas on commercial fishing operations

The partnership is supported by a $419K grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Students practicing Gyotaku, the Japanese art of fish printing, during an anatomy workshop with STEM4Girls

STEM4Girls event introduces girls to the Blue Economy and encourages pursuit of science

Over 100 young students gain STEM experience from scientists and researchers in collaboration with UMassD's Kaput Center

A group of Blue Tech Innovations interns posed for a group photo at Fleet Robotics

Blue tech programming ushers in the future of the ocean workforce

Early-career events and real-world projects connect UMassD students to the opportunities driving the SouthCoast’s ocean economy.

Dec

3:00PM

"Comparing methods for standardizing commercial fishery catch rates of Northeast US Atlantic cod (Gadhus morhua)"

DFO MS Thesis Defense presented by Luca McGinnis

More SMAST News Seminar Series Academic Calendar

Explore marine science careers.

SMAST alums share their success stories.

Learn More

SMAST graduates in professional positions

94%

SMAST scientists, students, research, & staff

102

SMAST undergraduate internships in 2022

SMAST research grants awarded in FY24

Feature stories from SMAST

Discover how UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology is advancing marine science, sustainability, and the blue economy through the work of our students, faculty, and alumni.

SMAST PhD student Lindsay Graff in the field

Feature Stories

Lindsay Graff PhD '27: Shark conservation research

"A lot of people don't realize the important role UMass Dartmouth has played in shark science. It's the reason I came here for my PhD."

- Lindsay Graff PhD '27

Lindsay Graff PhD '27: Shark conservation research

SMAST PhD student shares what it's like to study sharks all over the world.

Data science master's student Trina Xavier with Blue Tech interns

Trina Xavier MS '25: Data and the blue economy

Data science master's student discovers a sea of opportunities in the rapidly growing ocean-based workforce.

SMAST PhD student Kamran Walsh holding a fish on a boat

Kamran Walsh PhD '28: Reel research

SMAST PhD student combines real-world experience and statistical modeling to improve recreational fisheries management.

Donor support keeps Drake Ssempijja, PhD ’28 hooked on sustainability

With support from UMass Dartmouth and scholarships, Ssempijja leads research to bolster sustainability efforts in inland fisheries and support local fishing communities.