Ph.D. Environment & Society

1. A narrative statement indicating the student's

• research interests
• professional goals and
• commitment to full-time study for completion of degree requirements.

It is highly encouraged that prospective students reach out to the faculty to discuss research interests.

Many of our Ph.D. students are funded through grant-funded research assistantships. Thus, acceptance of new students may be a condition of available funding as well as matching students to faculty with new grant funded projects.

2.  Three letters of recommendation 

3.  For students with baccalaureate degrees:

1. baccalaureate degree in a related discipline from an accredited four-year college or university
   • biology
   • environmental sciences
   • engineering
   • sociology
   • anthropology
   • etc
2.  GPA ≥ 3.0 on all undergraduate work.

4. For students with MS degrees:

1. a master's of science degree in a related discipline from an accredited college or university (see list above).
2. GPA  ≥ 3.0 overall on graduate  work.

5. International students:

• Must submit an official score of at least 71 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or equivalent score on computer administered tests

6. Submission of GRE score is optional if you wish for them to be considered as part of your application to any graduate program in the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences. Although, individual faculty members may consider GRE scores as part of a holistic evaluation of candidates.

 

 

To ensure research compatibility between the student and the faculty in the program, attention will be given to the statement of research interests. A faculty member will be asked to act as a mentor for the applicant based on the statement of interests and, if necessary, a personal interview. Through this process, the student's interests will be matched to the expertise available within the faculty. Moreover, the mentor may also be able to offer the student financial support if a stipend is not available. Students whose interests do not correspond to those of a particular faculty mentor or who have not identified a faculty member willing to serve as a mentor will not be admitted into the Ph.D. degree program in Environment and Society.

A minimum of 60 semester hours of approved graduate course credit is required.

Transfer Credit
A maximum of one half of the minimum hours required for the degree is normally allowed as transfer credit. Exceptions are allowed under unusual circumstances, but in no case will the number of transfer credit hours exceed two thirds of the minimum hours required for the degree.

Transfer credit from regionally accredited universities may be accepted by certain programs. In the event that the university is non-accredited, the individual USA graduate program will determine if the quality and content of the course meets the standards of the program.

Students may also transfer appropriate courses taken while at USA while in non-degree graduate status or taken while in another graduate program. Some programs will allow graduate courses applied to certain master's degrees to be transferred in and also count towards the doctoral degree, subject to the limits of maximum transfer credit hours.

The University of South Alabama does not award graduate credit for prior portfolio-based experiential learning. Approval of the program's graduate coordinator and the college director of graduate studies is required.

Only courses with "A", 'B", or "S"grades are acceptable for transfer.

A minimum of two (2) consecutive semesters of full-time study in residence is required.

• The residency requirements may be met at USA or the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Students are considered full-time if registered for six (6) or more hours during fall and spring semesters.

Students on assistantship must be registered continuously, i.e., every semester (fall, spring, and summer), during their program. Typical summer registration is 3 hours.

For students receiving assistantships, employment other than University activities directly associated with graduate study is not allowed during full-time study, unless specifically approved by the SSoMES Director.

All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within five years from the date of matriculation.

A student who has not satisfactorily completed a dissertation in a five year period must apply for a defined extension to complete the degree.

This request must be recommended by:

• the major professor,
• the SSoMES Director or Associate Director,
• the Director of Graduate Studies,
• and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Failure to complete the work within the periods specified shall necessitate reevaluation of the student's program and may result in a recommendation for dismissal by the Director of Graduate Studies to the Graduate Dean.

All students are required to complete the following:

• ENS 601: Dynamics of Socio-Environmental Systems
• ENS 692: Seminar 1
• ENS 692: Seminar 2
• 3-course core curriculum with one course in each of the following subject areas
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Research Methods
• 14-16 Hours in Program Electives

All required courses will be offered annually in a Hybrid or HyFlex Format.

Specific courses may be approved by:

• the SSoMES Director
• Environment and Society Program Director
• student's Dissertation Committee