BA/MA (BAM) in Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability and Master’s in Geography and Environment (Plan A)
In collaboration with the Institute for Sustainability and Resilience, the Interdisciplinary Studies Program and Department of Geography and Environment offer a combined BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability and MA in Geography and Environment pathway that allows students to earn both degrees in five years.
Minimum Credits: The new combined BA+MA program in Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability / Geography and Environment will require students to take a minimum of 141 credits. Of this, nine will be double-counted toward both degrees. With the double-counted courses, students will earn 150 credits, reflecting 120 credits for the BA and 30 credits for the MA.
Double Counting: Nine (9) credits may be double-counted across the two programs:
- GEO 695 Concepts and Theories in Geography (3 credits) will be counted within the Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability major as an Upper-Division Major Core Course (3 credits)
- GEO 696 Research Design / Methods in Geography (3 credits) will be substituted for the SUST 495 Sustainability Capstone (3 credits)
- One course numbered 400+ that fits the student’s Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability major area of concentration as well as the Master’s in Geography and Environment:
- GEO 411 / SUST 413 Past Global Change and the Human Era (3 credits)
- GEO 426 / SUST 426 Environment, Resources, and Society (3 credits)
- GEO 422 / SUST 423 Agriculture, Food and Society (3 credits)
- SUST 427 / ERTH 420 Beaches, Reefs, and Climate Change (3 credits)
- SUST 420 / NREM 420 Community and Natural Resource Management (3 credits)
Gateway Course: Students must complete a gateway class GEO 325 / SUST 326 (Geography, Environment and Society – 3 credits) with a B or better grade to be eligible for the program. This course is part of the Upper-Division Major Core Courses for the Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability degree.
Application: Students submit the Graduate Admissions Application and fee as well as all required program admission materials by March 15 to be considered for the Fall admission of the same year.
Admission: Accepted students will receive notice of “admission,” typically in the spring of the junior year (6th semester). The following semester, which would generally be the fall of senior year (7th semester), pathway students begin the double-counted coursework at the undergraduate tuition rate. Pathway students are considered dual program students. An overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (upon graduation with the baccalaureate degree) is required to apply for and continue in the graduate program.
For more information, contact uhmgeo@hawaii.edu or sustain@hawaii.edu.
