Master of Science in Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences

Our Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences graduate degree program is built on internationally recognized faculty research programs within CEOAS, with Oregon State University currently ranked #3 in the world for Oceanography. The OEAS program pairs graduate students with faculty advisors in the student’s selected concentration area and encourages rapid engagement in research at the forefront of the respective field.

The course curriculum for each concentration is designed primarily to provide the fundamental, specialized knowledge that enables scientific research in the corresponding field but also to give the student a broad perspective on the ocean, atmosphere, and climate systems and their interconnections. The close coordination of the five independent concentrations within the OEAS program offers unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research and education and provides a wide range of scientific and educational perspectives that enrich the graduate experience. Typically, the OEAS graduate program has over 50 active students, pursuing both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Brief overviews of each concentration are noted below, with additional details found in the student handbook linked below.

For applicants the most important step to take is to contact prospective advisors and discuss educational goals and research interests. In order to be accepted into the program, applicants must have an advisor who will agree to serve in this capacity. It is best if this contact happens prior to the application deadline, but it is not critical, and follow up contact with multiple potential advisors is extremely valuable. See “Meet the Faculty” below.

The College of Liberal Arts strongly endorses the vision and mission of Oregon State University to serve the people of Oregon as one of America's top ten land grant universities and to contribute to the civic, economic, and social foundations of society. Above all, the College of Liberal Arts will maintain commitments to ensure excellence in teaching, scholarship, outreach and service, creative activities and to protect academic freedom and program integrity in the liberal arts disciplines.

The College of Liberal Arts offers major programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, with options, in 17 areas. In addition, College of Liberal Arts majors may concurrently earn a second degree in International Studies. CLA offers master's degrees in Public Policy, Applied Ethics, Creative Writing, Applied Anthropology, English, Hispanic Studies and History of Science, Ph.D.s in Applied Anthropology and History of Science.