Marine Policy and Management, M.A., Marine Resource Sustainability Concentration

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This degree requires the completion of a minimum of 32 credits. Students can choose between a thesis or non-thesis track. Students who elect the thesis track must carry out an original thesis research project, under the guidance of a thesis mentor, by taking a minimum of 6 credit hours of thesis related research courses: MPMA 6691 Thesis Research I and MPMA 6692 Thesis Research II, over a minimum of two academic terms. The thesis track can be elected after a minimum of 9 credits hours of graduate study with a minimum GPA of 3.3 and approval of the program coordinator. Thesis preparation and submission must comply with the graduate policy on theses as well as all requirements for the department. Students choosing a non-thesis track are required to take a minimum of 6 credit hours in lieu of the Thesis Research courses to be determined in consultation with the program coordinator.

Non-thesis students will be required to produce a major paper, or another capstone project developed in consultation with the program coordinator. A one-year accelerated non-thesis option is also available.

Marine Resource Sustainability Concentration

The Marine Resource Sustainability Concentration prepares students for careers in policy and law making, natural resource management, and other areas related to decision-making regarding the sustainability of resources and uses of the marine and coastal environments. This concentration also prepares students interested in pursuing careers in social-science research to inform decision-making.

Program Outcomes

By graduation students will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the most important theoretical approaches involving the human dimensions of marine ecosystems.
Apply policy and management strategies to address complex problems in marine sustainability.
Employ methods of scientific inquiry to answer research questions to inform and advance marine policy and management.
Synthesize results and outcomes of relevant research to propose solutions for complex problems in marine sustainability from a human dimensions perspective.

Required Courses

Thesis Track

Students on the Thesis Track must take 6 credits of Thesis Research over the course of two academic terms under the guidance of a thesis mentor.

Non-Thesis Track

Students on the Non-Thesis Track must take 3 credits of Capstone Research and complete a major paper under the guidance of a mentor. In addition, they must complete another 3 credits chosen from the electives group in consultation with their major paper mentor and program coordinator.