Overview
The University of Miami’s Master of Science in Sustainable Development prepares students for advanced academic programs and professional careers in international development, equipping them with skills to help promote a sustainable and inclusive world. This program is designed to accommodate students from several academic and professional backgrounds. Students will receive an interdisciplinary mix of STEM and social science training necessary for careers focused on transforming our world for sustainable human and economic development. Our curriculum draws upon the strengths of our departmental faculty by integrating theory and practice from physical geography, human geography, sustainability economics, conservation science and sustainability science.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university,
Online Application
- Completed online application.
Application Fee
- An $85.00 non-refundable application fee is paid online upon submission of the application.
Statement of Purpose
- Statement of purpose reflecting the student's goals in the program. The statement of purpose should be no more than two pages in length.
Letters of Recommendation
- Three letters of recommendation must be provided.
Official Transcripts
- Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Official transcripts in languages other than English must also be submitted with a certified English translation.
Prior Coursework
- The student should demonstrate evidence of at least six (6) credits of quantitative or qualitative methods, GIS, or other analytics coursework, or equivalent professional experience.
Resume
- Copy of the student's resume.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
- A minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- All international students are required to take this exam in order to demonstrate sufficient English competency. This exam is offered as a paper-based test (PBT) or an internet-based test (IBT). A score of 550 is required for the PBT or 80 for the IBT.
- Students may also take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam to demonstrate sufficient competency in English. A score of 6.5 or higher is required.
- Students from countries whose primary language is English are not required to take this exam. Please visit the Graduate School's International Applicant English Proficiency webpage for more information.
GRE scores are not required.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | ||
| GEG 603 | Research Design in Geography | 3 |
| GEG 637 | Development Studies | 3 |
| GEG 657 | Economics of Sustainable Development | 3 |
| Methods & Tools - Intermediate | 6 | |
| Select two courses from the following: | ||
| Survey Research Methods | ||
| Health Applications of Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Spatial Data Analysis I | ||
| Geographic Information Systems I | ||
| Remote Sensing of the Environment | ||
| Methods & Tools - Advanced | 3 | |
| Select one course from the following: | ||
| Spatial Data Analysis II | ||
| Geographic Information Systems II | ||
| Urban Analytics Geovisualization (Urban Analytics & Geovisualization (NEW COURSE)) | ||
| Applications | 6 | |
| Select two courses from the following: | ||
| Sustainable Cities | ||
| Urbanization in the Developing World | ||
| Seminar in Urban Management | ||
| Advanced Independent Study in Geography I | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Geography and Planetary Health | ||
| Sustainable Food Systems | ||
GEG 641 | (Population, Health & Environment (NEW COURSE)) | |
| Population, Sustainability and the Media | ||
| Advanced Independent Study in Geography II | ||
| Immigrant Refugee Health | ||
| Climate Change and Public Health | ||
GEG 649 | (Global Water Security & Sustainability (NEW COURSE)) | |
| Resilience Economics (NEW COURSE) | ||
| Urban Geography I | ||
| Land Use Planning (Land Use Planning (NEW COURSE)) | ||
| Waste Sustainability | ||
| Additional elective courses at the 600-level or higher from other academic units may be approved, as appropriate, toward degree requirements by the Director of Graduate Studies | ||
| Non-Thesis Option/Thesis Option | 6 | |
| Students must select a complete a non-thesis or thesis option: | ||
Non-Thesis Option: | ||
| Internship in Geography | ||
Thesis Option: | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Research in Residence | ||
| Continuous Registration--Master's Study | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Plan of Study (1 Year Full-Time)
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| GEG 603 | Research Design in Geography | 3 |
| GEG 637 | Development Studies | 3 |
| Methods Course - Intermediate | 3 | |
| Applications Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEG 657 | Economics of Sustainable Development | 3 |
| Methods Course - Intermediate | 3 | |
| Methods Course - Advanced | 3 | |
| Applications Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| GEG 635 or 810 | Internship in Geography or Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Plan of Study (2 Years Part-Time): Non-Thesis Option
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| GEG 603 | Research Design in Geography | 3 |
| GEG 637 | Development Studies | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Methods Course - Intermediate | 3 | |
| Applications Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| GEG 635 | Internship in Geography | 3 |
| Applications Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEG 657 | Economics of Sustainable Development | 3 |
| Methods Course - Intermediate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Methods Course - Advanced | 3 | |
| GEG 635 | Internship in Geography | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Plan of Study (2 Years Part-Time): Thesis Option
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| GEG 603 | Research Design in Geography | 3 |
| GEG 637 | Development Studies | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Methods Course - Intermediate | 3 | |
| Applications Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| Applications Course | 3 | |
| Methods Course - Intermediate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEG 657 | Economics of Sustainable Development | 3 |
| Methods Course - Advanced | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEG 810 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Mission
The M.S. in Sustainable Development aims to prepare students with a comprehensive, innovative, and systematic perspective on sustainable development, preparing them for Ph.D. programs in development studies and related fields as well as careers in international development (firms, development agencies, NGOs, and governments).
Goals
- To graduate students with a comprehensive understanding of how societies operate and interact with the natural world.
- To equip graduate students with the advanced knowledge to propose and implement sustainable development policies and practices based on sound scientific concepts and theories.
- To produce graduates who can use scientific methods and tools to tackle pressing sustainability issues at all levels and across different sectors.
- To produce graduates who can lead global sustainability transformation.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will synthesize and discuss recent academic literature on sustainable development to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the concepts and theories.
- Students will use advanced geospatial and statistical techniques to identify and interpret social and ecological patterns and processes at multiple scales, from local to global.
- Students will conduct research projects that inform sustainable development policies at various governance levels, from local to global.
- Students will exhibit efficient, proficient, and innovative skills in both written and oral communication.
