MS-B

MS-B Degree Options

The Department of Community Sustainability offers a Master of Science Plan-B degrees that provide students with opportunities to understand applied research, and to acquire and apply professional skills to a wide range of community and resource management contexts. 

The Master of Science Plan-B option (also referred to as MS-B) focuses on the acquisition of well-defined professional skills, appropriate as a terminal degree and for professional employment. The MS-B degree requires completion of a professional project and associated paper. The MS-B degree does NOT require completion of a research-based thesis.

 

MS-B Admission Requirements

  • Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or comparable degree requirements from a recognized educational institution to apply to an MS-B program with the Department of Community Sustainability.
  • Relevant experience and strong academic credentials in the natural, physical, or social sciences are encouraged for applicants.
  • Applicants must explain in their academic statement why they are interested in a multidisciplinary degree rather than a discipline-based degree.
  • All applicants for admission are required to submit scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  • Collateral courses may be required to overcome deficiencies in addition to the requirements for the master’s degree. Collateral course work will not count toward the master’s degree.
  • Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty to explore possible common interests and identify potential advisors.

MS-B Degree Requirements for Community Sustainability (CSUS)

The student’s program of study must be developed in cooperation with and approved by the student’s guidance committee and must include the requirements specified below.

A minimum of 30 credits is required for the degree under Plan B. The student’s program of study must be developed in cooperation with and approved by the student’s guidance committee and must include the requirements specified below.

Required Courses

  • CSUS 800 - Foundations of Community Sustainability I (3 credits), taken first fall semester
  • CSUS 801 - Foundations of Community Sustainability II (3 credits), taken first spring semester
  • CSUS 802 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry (3 credits), taken first fall semester

Focus Area

Take a minimum of 14 credits of course work in a self-defined focal area, which may coincide with one of the department’s themes, an interdepartmental specialization, or be developed in consultation with the student’s guidance committee. At least 6 credits of this focus area must be in CSUS courses.

Professional Practice

  • A minimum of 3 credits of a techniques or skill-building course relevant to the student’s academic and career goals, to be selected in consultation with the student’s guidance committee.
  • A minimum of 3 credits of Community Sustainability 898 – Master’s Professional Project, that focuses on developing an independent professional or project experience appropriate to the student's academic and career goals.

Public Defense of Master’s Project Proposal

Completion and Public Defense of Final Master’s Project

Note: Follow the policies and procedures found in the Graduate Handbook.

See the official degree description

Department Information

Students

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