FAQ

• Fall start: Saturday, August 15, 2026. There is a mandatory incoming student orientation on Saturday, August 9, 2026 (one week before classes start). 
• The MSEM Program does not offer a spring start.

• MSEM offers classes in Fall and Spring semesters. There is no summer semester. 
• Each semester is split into two sessions, each of which lasts 8 weeks.
• Each session, students take two courses in total.
   

• Classes meet either on 4 alternate Saturdays from 9:00am- 4:00pm, or once weekly on 8 weeknights from 6:30-9:30pm.
• Each class includes 24 hours of instruction, and up to 90 hours of student work including in-class time.

• We offer classes using a variety of pedagogical tools, combining lectures, hands-on in-class activities, field trips and projects. 
• Our small classes of up to 20 students allow for active engagement and interaction amongst students and faculty.
• MSEM classes do not include wet labs.
• Classes are taught by a mix of full-time faculty from the department of Environmental Science, and practitioner instructors, who bring in their practical experience to the classroom.
• All MSEM classes are in-person on our San Francisco Main Campus.

• The program is part-time, and requires 30 units to be completed. Each class is 2 units, with the exception of the capstone Master's Project which is 4 units.
• Students complete the following classes to complete program requirements:
  • 4 required 2-unit classes (8 units)
  • 9 elective 2-unit classes (18 units)
  • 1 required 4-unit class (4 units)

Program requirements are outlined in detail in our Program Overview website.

• The courses we offer are interdisciplinary, rooted in the natural sciences and have a strong applied professional orientation. 
• We offer a diversity of classes, some focusing on applied sciences, some on technical and analysis skills as well as overarching classes that focus on policy and management. The program’s structure ensures that each student completes classes in all categories, for a holistic, rich, professionally-oriented education. 
• Our foundational required courses ensure that students in the MSEM program have the skills required to succeed in their electives.  
• Students without an academic STEM background, but with a strong interest in joining the environmental field can also be successful in our curriculum; we provide resources and guidance on entering the field and switching careers. 
   

• The MSEM program offers the option to concentrate on one of the following areas: Ecosystems Management, Water Management, Climate and Energy, and Health and Hazards. 
• To complete a concentration, you need to take 5 courses that count towards the concentration. 
• A concentration allows you to gain depth and breadth within a sub-discipline of environmental management and is shown on your transcript. 
• If you choose a concentration, you can still take up to 4 electives from outside of your concentration. 
   

• No, you cannot transfer credit towards electives in the MSEM programs
• If you have taken courses that fulfill the learning outcomes of the three required courses (Ecology, Statistics and Environmental Chemistry), you may apply for a waiver. 
• If you waive out of required courses, you can take electives instead, and the unit requirement for graduation does not change.
   

• The MSEM program does not have a thesis requirement. Instead, students complete an applied research project in the last semester of their degree, when they take their Master's Project class.
• MSEM offers a thesis option for a limited number of students each year. For an explanation of the differences between a thesis and a project, see the next question.

• An MSEM Project is an applied research project that analyzes existing data and literature to synthesize current scientific and policy developments in order to inform an environmental management question. An MSEM project is completed over the course of one semester, and is conducted under the close guidance of a faculty member who helps a group of 7-8 students through the milestones of their research project. It is accompanied by a final professional presentation. 
• An MSEM thesis requires the collection and analysis of primary data, and results in a manuscript that is deemed suitable for publication as a journal article. A thesis usually takes one year or more to complete, and is conducted under the close supervision of a faculty member who is leading the overall research project. A thesis is also accompanied by a final professional presentation.

• Professional MS programs (e.g., MSEM USF) 
  • Students registered in a professionally-oriented MS degree intend to pursue a career as an environmental professional after graduation. 
  • Professionally-oriented MS degrees require coursework and a capstone project that may take the form of a research project of limited scope or an internship. 
  • You do not need to contact a faculty advisor to apply to a professional MS program.
  • Tuition is not fully covered by RAships/TAships.
• Research focused MS degrees 
  • Students registered in a research-focused MS program are trained on doing primary research and there is only limited coursework to be completed. 
  • After graduation, the goal is to complete a PhD, or to join a research institution. 
  • Research-focused MS degrees require the completion of a research thesis, which involves original data collection. 
  • You need to contact a faculty advisor when applying to the program.
  • In some cases, tuition is fully covered by a combination of RA/TA assignments.

The Fall 2026 application is now open. The priority application date is February 15. The standard deadline is March 15. Applications submitted after March 15 are accepted and reviewed on a space-available basis. First year scholarships are available until the funds are exhausted, and therefore late applicants might not receive a scholarship.

• You do not need to contact a faculty advisor at the time of your application. Academic advisors are assigned to all students upon admission. 
• You are welcome to contact the MSEM program team with questions about the environmental management field and the program, and we will connect you with faculty that can address your questions. The MSEM Program team can be reached by email at msem@usfca.edu.

• We welcome students with any undergraduate degree, but most students have a background in the sciences.
• While a STEM undergraduate degree is not required, to succeed in the program and the field, students should demonstrate a motivation and ability to engage with the science and quantitative aspects of environmental management.
• For students without experience with science and/or quantitative work, the program offers a required course that covers those subjects. If accepted to the program, we will also provide suggestions on how to further your skills in these areas on your own time.
• All students are required to meet a General Chemistry requirement prior to classes starting. Please review our program’s General Chemistry Requirement Guide for more information. If you do not meet the requirement, you may still be conditionally admitted, and we will ask you to complete the chemistry requirement in the Spring or Summer before the program starts.

Although the minimum GPA for our program is a 3.0, we take a holistic approach when reviewing applications. We do not focus on GPA alone; we look across the entire application. Ideally, we are looking for applicants with a strong science or academic background, relevant experience in the environmental field, and someone who is interested in applied issues. As an applied professional graduate program, MSEM is a good fit for people who have a technical background and some work experience in the environmental field.
 

• Yes, you may still apply for our program if you have not taken the required General Chemistry course. However, if we choose to admit you, it would be on a Conditional Admission basis, and we will expect you to complete the chemistry requirement prior to beginning Fall classes (before mid-August). You will not be allowed to start your coursework until our office receives the official transcript showing the completion of the required course.
• Our Pre-approved courses spreadsheet lists some pre-approved General Chemistry I courses that may be good options for you to take. Note that these courses are in person and have a lab component.

If you are interested in taking a General Chemistry course that is not in our pre-approved list, please review our program's General Chemistry Requirement Guide, to see if it meets our program requirements, and contact us before registering to ensure that it is acceptable. The guide also includes the above-referenced list of pre-approved courses, and information on how to get courses that are offered closer to you approved. Online courses and courses without a lab are only accepted if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent you from taking an approved chemistry course, and will result in some additional requirements to ensure preparedness for the MSEM curriculum.

• The statement of purpose is a 500-700 word, double-spaced statement that describes your educational background, work experiences, professional goals, and reasons for pursuing the M.S. in Environmental Management at USF.
  • We truly look forward to learning more about you. Tell us about yourself. Use specific details. What are your career goals and how have they come to be? What is your background in the environmental field and how are you looking to expand it? How are you prepared to undertake graduate studies in environmental management?
  • Why USF and MSEM? We're a community here and deeply value the ability for us to learn from each other. Why are you interested in Environmental Management and why at USF? What specific aspects of the program are you excited about? What unique perspectives do you offer to the program?
  • Clarity. Proofread your work and check the requirements are met. Check for grammar, spelling, and authenticity.

Usually 3-4 weeks after Feb 15th deadline, around March 11th, 2026.

• The program is 30 units, split into 4 semesters as follows: The first three semesters are 8 units each, and the last semester is 6 units. You can calculate the cost by multiplying the units with the cost per unit. Please refer to the USF Tuition and Fees page for updates on the tuition rates.

There are no lab or other fees that you will have to cover out of pocket. Textbooks are assigned carefully and only when necessary to ensure the cost is manageable. More information about costs can be found at the USF Tuition and Fees page, under College of Arts and Sciences, MS in Environmental Management.

• MSEM Program First-Year Scholarships
  • Applicants who apply for the MSEM program by the early date of February 15 receive priority consideration for these scholarships.
  • First year scholarships are merit-based and range in total between $1000-$8000 for the first year only.
  • Availability of funds for first-year scholarships varies each year.
  • The award is split equally between your first two semesters. The second semester award requires a 3.3 GPA in the fall semester.
• CAS Dean's Scholarship
  • One Dean's Scholarship award of $15,000 is available for the first year of study. Additional benefits for the recipient include the Dean's Scholar kickoff and reception, connection with other Dean's Scholars and with leaders across the college, community-building resources, and the chance to serve as program representatives to USF donors and Development initiatives.
  • For consideration for the Dean's Scholarship, students must apply by the priority application date of February 15. No separate application is required.
• Review external funding opportunities through our financial aid website.

• A small number of TA and RA positions are available to candidates with a strong science background and previous teaching experience.
• Students apply for these TA and RA positions once admitted and enrolled in the program. The application deadline for the Fall semester is in early August. TAs and RAs wages are not applied directly toward tuition. Each student decides on how to use these funds.
• They are paid by hourly wage and are estimated at $1,000-$3,800 a semester.
• Domestic students are limited to 25 hours per week of on-campus employment, and international students are limited to 20 hours per week of on-campus employment.

More information can be found on the website of Student Employment.

• The MSEM program at USF does not offer full scholarships, or assistantships that cover the full tuition.
• As an international student, you need to prove funds (via a Certificate of Finance) as a part of your application to the program and as part of your VISA application.
• International students can apply for external funding, including external scholarships and loans. The College of Arts and Sciences graduate Financial Aid website has helpful USF and non-USF Financial Aid resources.
• International students cannot rely on MSEM program scholarships for their Certification of Finance, as they are not guaranteed.
• When on an F-1 Visa, international students can only work up to 20 hours a week on on-campus employment. Please review carefully information on Student Employment specific to International Students offered by ISSS.

The Certificate of Finance is required by the U.S. government for international students to obtain an F-1 student visa, and is required as part of the admission requirements for the University of San Francisco (USF) Master of Science in Environmental Management (MSEM) program. See the USF Financial Requirements page for more details on what documents are accepted and for updated required minimum amounts.

Yes, MSEM is a STEM-designated program that international students benefit from for Optional Practical Training.
 

• The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is your primary point of contact for all matters related to VISA applications.
• Use the New Student information pages to learn more about applying for a visa, transferring your SEVIS record, new student orientation, transportation options to USF, and additional resources.