Plymouth State’s Applied Meteorology graduate degree program will prepare you with the latest knowledge and research skills in many core areas of operational meteorology that are needed to provide modern weather support to a wide variety of customers. You’ll learn from dedicated, experienced faculty members who work closely with students like you to meet the regional and national needs for professional meteorologists.
The Master of Science in Applied Meteorology program is housed in the Judd Gregg Meteorology Institute in the Boyd Science Center. The degree is designed to meet regional and national needs for professional meteorologists, who increasingly require more than baccalaureate-level education and qualifications. The program offers students the latest knowledge and research skills in many core areas of operational meteorology needed to provide modern weather support to a wide variety of customers. It focuses on such areas as advanced weather analysis and forecasting; air quality; aviation meteorology; hydrology; mesonet/road weather meteorology; radar/satellite meteorology; computer-based programming, and other meteorological applications.
Program Highlights
- The only MS in meteorology program in New Hampshire and one of only a handful in the northeastern United States
- Outstanding technology and facilities
- Dedicated faculty who work closely with students
- Active collaborations with several agencies including NOAA, NASA, NWS, MWO, Scripps, NHDOT, and UCAR/NCAR
- Limited assistantships with tuition waivers available
- Flexibility in course selection to tailor the program to individual student’s needs
- It is possible for some students to complete the program in approximately 18 months
- Office space for graduate students
- Cost-efficient program
Curriculum & Requirements
Curriculum and Degree Requirements
The MS Applied Meteorology program has two concentrations. The Standard concentration requires students to complete 30 credits and is intended for students that have already completed an undergraduate degree in meteorology or atmospheric science. The Extended concentration requires students to complete 45 credits and is intended for students that do not have an undergraduate degree in meteorology or atmospheric science. Each concentration has a research requirement. Students will choose to complete either a thesis or non-thesis research project to satisfy this research requirement. However, not all students may be able to select the thesis research project since the number of thesis students that can be supported is limited by faculty availability. Students desiring to pursue the thesis option will need to consult with their advisor and other meteorology faculty to identify a faculty mentor.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| MT 5200 | Transportation Meteorology | 3 |
| MT 5330 | Satellite Meteorology | 3 |
| MT 5340 | Radar Meteorology | 3 |
| MT 5600 | Computer Applications in Meteorology | 3 |
| or MT 5650 | Research Methods in Meteorology | |
| MT 5000 | Meteorology Seminar 1 | 1 |
| Concentration | 10-28 | |
Standard Concentration (10-13 credits) | ||
Extended Concentration (25-28 credits) | ||
| Research Requirement | 6-3 | |
Complete 6 credits of Thesis Research or 3 credits of Independent Study/Research | ||
MT 5800 | Thesis Research | |
or MT 5910 | Independent Study/Research | |
| Total Credits | 30-44 | |
Standard Concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective courses | 10-13 | |
Complete 10-13 credits from courses in the following list | ||
MT 5150 | ||
MT 5400 | Numerical Weather Prediction | |
MT 5420 | Tropical Weather and Climate | |
MT 5430 | Climate Change | |
MT 5460 | Climate Dynamics | |
MT 5560 | Topics in Meteorology | |
MT 5600 | Computer Applications in Meteorology | |
or MT 5650 | Research Methods in Meteorology | |
MT 5000 | Meteorology Seminar 1 | |
MT 5710 | Internship 3 | |
MT 5910 | Independent Study/Research 3 | |
ESP 5215 | ||
ESP 5225 | ||
ESP 5230 | ||
ESP 5320 | Watershed Hydrology | |
ESP 5440 | ||
| Total Credits | 10-13 | |
Extended Concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MT 5280 | Synoptic Meteorology | 3 |
| MT 5310 | Dynamic Meteorology I | 3 |
| MT 5320 | Dynamic Meteorology II | 3 |
| MT 5410 | Atmospheric Physics | 3 |
| MT 5560 | Topics in Meteorology 2 | 3 |
| Elective Courses | 10-13 | |
Complete 10-13 credits from courses in the following list | ||
MT 5150 | ||
MT 5400 | Numerical Weather Prediction | |
MT 5420 | Tropical Weather and Climate | |
MT 5430 | Climate Change | |
MT 5460 | Climate Dynamics | |
MT 5480 | Mesoscale Meteorology | |
MT 5000 | Meteorology Seminar | |
MT 5710 | Internship | |
ESP 5215 | ||
ESP 5225 | ||
ESP 5230 | ||
ESP 5320 | Watershed Hydrology | |
ESP 5440 | ||
| Total Credits | 25-28 | |
- 1
Students must enroll in at least two semesters of MT 5000 Meteorology Seminar (1 cr each semester). Students may enroll in additional semesters of the course as an elective.
- 2
A course in Atmospheric Thermodynamics
- 3
These courses are variable credit and are repeatable. For each course, only up to 4 credits may count as an elective toward the 30 credit degree requirement
Co-listed Courses
Some upper-division undergraduate courses are co-listed as graduate courses. Graduate students enrolled in these courses will be expected to complete additional coursework, such as papers and projects, to earn graduate credit in these courses. The co-listed courses are as follows:
Co-listed Meteorology Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||
| MT 5000/4000 | Meteorology Seminar | 1 |
| MT 5150/4150 | 3 | |
| MT 5280/4280 | Synoptic Meteorology | 3 |
| MT 5310/4310 | Dynamic Meteorology I | 3 |
| MT 5320/4320 | Dynamic Meteorology II | 3 |
| MT 5400/4400 | Numerical Weather Prediction | 3 |
| MT 5410/4410 | Atmospheric Physics | 3 |
| MT 5420/4420 | Tropical Weather and Climate | 3 |
| MT 5430/4440 | Climate Change | 3 |
| MT 5460/4460 | Climate Dynamics | 3 |
| MT 5480/4480 | Mesoscale Meteorology | 3 |
| MT 5560/4560 | Topics in Meteorology | 1-3 |
- Effective communications both orally and in writing.
- One or more research tools used in atmospheric science, such as data analysis, visualization software, and/or computer programming.
- Successful completion of a guided research project with appropriate supervision.
- Practical applications through internships/course work/research projects
- Air Quality Engineer
- College Professor
- Environmental Consultant
- Flight Director
- Forensic Meteorologist
- Instrumentation Specialist
- Meteorologist
- Physicist
- Risk Manager
- Technical Writer
- Broadcast Meteorologist
- Ability to analyze cause and effects
- Proficiency in analytical reasoning
- Strong mathematical background
- Ability to organize and memorize detailed information
- Strong organization skills
Admission Information
Requirements
The MS in Applied Meteorology requires the following materials to be submitted through our online application
- Recommended 3.0 or better GPA in undergraduate coursework
- Official transcripts from any/all college level work
- Three professional recommendations
- Current Resume
- Statement of interest
- GRE test scores (optional)
- NH Residency Verification form (NH residents only)
Deadlines
The MS in Applied Meteorology program only accepts applications for the fall semester of each year. We strongly encourage students to apply by January 31 for priority consideration for graduate assistant positions.
*We suggest submitting your documentation at least two weeks prior to the posted date to ensure your application is complete and can be reviewed by the deadline.
2024-25 Estimated Graduate Per Credit Tuition and Mandatory Fees
| New Hampshire Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $584 | $43 | $627 | |
| CAGS | $625 | $43 | $668 | |
| EDD | $681 | $43 | $724 | |
| Out-of-State Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $809 | $43 | $852 | |
| CAGS | $782 | $43 | $825 | |
| EDD | $866 | $43 | $909 | |
More information is available through the Student Financial Services Office.
Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of student loans only. You will need to complete the FAFSA at least 30 days prior to the start of the semester you wish to begin taking classes. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid – please review our international admission requirements to learn more.
More information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.
Each year, Plymouth State offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to admitted graduate students. Selection criteria include academic and professional achievements, commitment to graduate study, and achievement or pursuit of personal or professional goals. Visit the PSU Scholarship Opportunities webpage for additional information.
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