Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, JPP
JPP Master's Candidacy
The Joint Post-baccalaureate Program (JPP) in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis is designed for exceptional students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in Earth, environmental, or planetary science but who may lack some of the prerequisite coursework. Participants will engage in a rigorous plan of study consisting of coursework and other discipline-specific activities in a nurturing environment under the guidance of a faculty mentor at Washington University in St. Louis.
The first year in the program is a post-baccalaureate year. At the end of the first academic year, students will be evaluated on the basis of their coursework and research potential. Pending a positive evaluation, students will be invited to apply to and enroll in the MA in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences program during the second year to complete the master’s degree requirements. A master's degree will be awarded at the end of the second year, pending successful completion of program requirements. During the second year, students will typically apply to PhD programs, including the Washington University in St. Louis program in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences.
Program Requirements
- Total Units Required: 30
- Degree Length: Two years
- Minimum Grade Requirement: B-
Required Courses
Year One
During the first year, JPP students should focus on completing the post-baccalaureate requirements. Completion of these requirements is necessary for advancement to master's candidacy. So long as those requirements will be completed, students may take additional 5000-level courses for which they have met the prerequisites.
Some of the post-baccalaureate requirements will have been completed during undergraduate study. With guidance from their advisor, JPP students will complete and sign an individualized worksheet for required coursework.
Year One JPP students must enroll in the following:
- EEPS 5950 Graduate Seminar (1 credit, fall only)
- EEPS 5900 (Section 02) JPP (1 credit fall and 1 credit spring)
- A total of 12 to 15 credits (fall and spring)
- Students may not enroll in EEPS 5920 during Year 1.
- JPP students should aim to complete two or three 5000-level courses during the first year; this credit will be counted toward the completion of master's requirements.
Year Two
- Enroll in exactly 3 credits of EEPS 5920 each semester.
- Complete requirements for the master’s degree.
Master’s requirements include at least four 5000-level courses in EEPS (exclusive of EEPS 5900, EEPS 5920, and EEPS 5950), at least six 5000-level courses in total, and at least 30 5000-level credits in total.