Millersville University is accepting applications for this applied, interdisciplinary degree program. The MSISA is intended as a more efficient and effective alternative to traditional master's programs in science. The program will produce intermediate-level professionals who are prepared to enter the workforce with cross-disciplinary scientific and business expertise to manage complex projects.

The MSISA will include specializations in a number of areas, including Environmental Systems Management (ESM), GeoInformatics (GI), Weather Intelligence and Risk Management (WIRM), Climate Science Applications (CSA), and others based on the evolving workforce needs. These initial specializations were chosen because they each represent areas of current or emerging workforce demand. The WIRM and CSA specializations will be offered in 2012, and the GI specialization is planned to begin in 2013.  These integrative disciplines should remain relevant throughout the student's career and will build knowledge that can transfer to other practical science applications. The program will engage partners in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. for research and internship opportunities. 

The development of the MSISA is a response to regional and national trends that show growth in the workforce need for highly skilled scientists and technically astute professionals with good business sense, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a team-oriented environment.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts about 48,000 job openings between 2008 and 2018 for environmental scientists requiring a graduate degree.  The Congressional Research Service Report for Congress (March, 2008) is one of several national reports that expresses the growing concern that the U.S. is not preparing a sufficient number of practitioners in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas.  Additionally, the market trends indicate the growing, if not urgent, need for a technical workforce prepared beyond the baccalaureate degree with a broader set of skills that will be needed to collaborate across disciplines to tackle complex problems and arrive at holistic solutions. 

Admission Requirements

Visit the graduate admissions website to view general and program specific admission requirements for this program.

The MSISA will consist of 33 graduate credits, which include 28 credits in the interdisciplinary core curriculum and professional specialization area, and a five (5) credit internship or applied research activity.  The professional specializations within the MSISA include Weather Intelligence and Risk Management (WIRM), Earth System Informatics (ESI), Environmental Systems Management (ESM), and Climate Science Applications (CSA).  The WIRM and CSA specializations will be offered in  2012, and the GI specialization is planned to begin in 2013. The required internship or research activity will be conducted as a full-time summer or a full semester experience under the mentorship of a faculty member and the supervision of a member of the external partner organization. It is anticipated that students will have opportunities to take part in funded research activities with university faculty and/or government or private sector scientists and professionals.

 Specific course requirements and descriptions will be made available via this website as they are approved.

Graduate & Professional Studies
P.O. Box 1002
Millersville University
Millersville, PA 17551-0302

Phone: (717) 872-3099
Fax: (717) 872-3453 

Graduate Admissions: 
gradadmissions@millersville.edu 

Current Graduate Students:
gradstu@millersville.edu

For additional information on the program content, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator:

Dr. Richard D. Clark
Department of Earth Sciences
Richard.Clark@millersville.edu
717-872-3930