MS Earth and Planetary Sciences at University of California, Santa Cruz

Programme overview

The Earth and Planetary Sciences graduate programme prepares students for research, industry, consulting, teaching and other careers. The MS can be a terminal degree for industry, government or secondary teaching careers, or a step toward the PhD.

Faculty: Physical and Biological Sciences Division | Department: Earth and Planetary Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What you will study

Plan I (thesis) first-year students take an Introductory Teaching Seminar, Earth and Planetary Sciences Foundations and Great Papers in the Earth Sciences, plus a subject course (e.g. Tectonics, Hydroclimatology, Planetary Interiors, Global Seismology) and a quantitative analytical course.

Career pathways

Industry, government, secondary teaching, consulting; step toward a PhD.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

UC Santa Cruz graduate admission: bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited university awarded before the entry quarter, a B average or better in the last two years of undergraduate coursework, and demonstrated English proficiency. Applicants whose first language is not English: TOEFL iBT minimum 83 (4.0 on the 2026 scale) or IELTS Academic overall 7; waiver may be requested by applicants with a four-year bachelor's degree from an English-speaking institution. GRE General and Subject tests not required. Transcripts and three letters of recommendation (up to five accepted). Programme materials: resume or CV, statement of purpose (2-3 pages), personal history statement (2-3 pages) addressing prompts on excellence, initiative and persistence. Application deadline: January 7 (Earth and Planetary Sciences MS/PhD). Application fee $135 domestic, $155 international.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,722 a year (2026-27). California resident graduate tuition; excludes Student Services Fee, campus fees and health insurance Source

International applicants: USD 15,102 a year (2026-27). Nonresident Supplemental Tuition, charged in addition to the 13,722 tuition for non-California residents and international students Source

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