Graduate Program

EAPS graduate students in most cases pursue a doctoral degree. It is not necessary to earn a master’s degree before applying to the doctoral program.

Applicants interested in a master’s degree are advised to contact faculty prior to applying to ensure there is a faculty member who is potentially interested in acting as their advisor for a master’s degree.

Doctoral Program (PhD, ScD)

Students typically receive their degree in five years, with the first two years spent in coursework and research, culminating in a General Examination—which must be completed before the end of the second year.

Immediately after the General Examination, thesis research begins under the close supervision of one or more faculty members—chosen by the student—who are interested in and knowledgeable about the student’s area of research. Faculty supervisors may be members of EAPS or another MIT department. Each thesis is expected to meet high professional standards and make a significant original contribution to the student’s chosen field of science.

General Institute requirements for doctoral degrees can be found at catalog.mit.edu.

EAPS offers PhD, ScD degrees in the following areas:

Master of Science Program (SM)

The master’s degree program—designed to be completed in two years—is suitable for motivated students with undergraduate degrees in geoscience, physics, chemistry, mathematics, or engineering. Students spend the first year taking classes and the second conducting research and thesis work. This program prepares students for scientific and management careers in the environmental, natural resources, and technical consulting fields.

General Institute requirements for master’s degrees can be found at catalog.mit.edu. 

For the degree of Master of Science, the student must have satisfactorily completed 

• at least 66 units of graduate subject credit 
• a thesis approved by the department in which they are enrolled. 

If 34 units and the thesis are in a single approved program, as determined by the EAPS Committee on Education Programs (CEP), the degree will be recommended with specification (e.g. Climate Science, Atmospheric Science). Otherwise, the degree will be recommended without specification (SM: Earth and Planetary Sciences).

The same high standard of academic performance in a program approved by a departmental committee on graduate students is required for degrees with or without specification.

EAPS offers SM degrees in the following areas:

Fifth-Year Master of Science Program (SM): Continuation of an MIT Undergraduate Degree

Current MIT undergraduate students with strong academic records from the departments of EAPS, chemistry, physics, mathematics, CEE, EECS, chemical engineering and others may complete a master of science in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, or Ocean Sciences, with just one year of additional study. The degree requirements of the 5th year master of science are the same as those for the traditional masters degree above, but they are condensed into a single year. Students may begin to take graduate level courses while pursuing their undergraduate degree and petition to use them towards their 5th-year masters. Only courses that are not being used toward undergraduate requirements can be applied to the 5th-year master of science degree.

You’ll find EAPS student handbooks, academic forms, and thesis guidelines, alongside lots of MIT links to help you build your career and support work-life balance.

We’re here to support every aspect of EAPS academic programming and are an important part of our students’ support network, helping to connect you with resources and opportunities.

Prospective students, if you have a question about academic life at MIT, or want to arrange a visit, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Ann Greaney-Williams
Assistant Director of Academic Programs

Room: 54-910
Phone: 617-253-3380
Email: agreaney@mit.edu

On Campus Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Remote Schedule: Tuesday, Friday

Co-chair of the EAPS Committee on the Education Program and responsible for administrating Course XII undergraduate and graduate programming. Advises students regarding degree requirements, career options, funding, policies and procedures, and Institute resources for student support.

Alana Snelson
Senior Academic Program Assistant

Room: 54-912
Phone: 617-253-3381
Email: asnelson@mit.edu

On Campus Schedule: Monday-Friday

Provides administrative support for the EAPS Education Office, including room scheduling, classrooms and supplies, reimbursements, Canvas sites, student appointments, and various forms, including grading and evaluations, registration, and thesis submissions.