Master of Science in Marine Science

• Olivia Nigro - Environmental health, microbiomes of marine animals, deep subsurface microbiology
• Keith Korsmeyer - Fish physiology, Ichthyology, eco-physiology
• Brenden Holland - Conservation, Ecology and Evolution of Island Ecosystems
• Barbara Quimby - Marine policy and social science, community engagement, ocean resource management
• Carmella Vizza - biogeochemistry, water quality, adaptive management, biocultural restoration
• David Field - Paleo, physics of microplastic concentrating mechanisms, fisheries issues
• Dustin Moss - genetics, aquaculture, multi-trophic aquaculture, shrimp, seaweed
• Matthew Iacchei - Molecular approaches to marine conservation, fisheries management
• Jennifer Lynch – plastic pollution, marine debris, animal health

PRiority Application Date: January 15

(details here)

A baccalaureate degree in the Natural Sciences is required for entry into the MSMS program. Certain course prerequisites may be required before enrolling in graduate MSMS courses, depending on the student’s academic preparation and research interests.

For students in the thesis track, the graduate thesis committee will determine whether any deficiencies exist and how these deficiencies will be addressed. Additionally, being paired with a faculty mentor is necessary for acceptance into the MSMS-T track.

Students who successfully complete the Master of Science in Marine Science program will:

• Demonstrate an interdisciplinary knowledge of marine systems.

• Demonstrate the ability to plan and implement observational, theoretical, and experimental studies.

• Interpret and critique professional scientific literature.

• Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply and integrate scientific principles and research data to address complex questions in marine systems.

• Demonstrate competence in scientific communication through technical and scientific reports, publications and oral presentations.

• Demonstrate professionalism and scientific ethics.

• Have the competence to gain employment in advanced resource management positions or entrance to a doctoral program in related fields.

HPU Support

HPU offers merit-based Graduate Assistantships (GAs) that provide a 50% or 25% tuition discount for four consecutive semesters.  For more GA details, go to the FAQs above.

External Funding Opportunities

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
• EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) graduate fellowship
• Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship
• Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship
• North Pacific Research Board Graduate Student Research Award
• American Meteorological Society Graduate Fellowship
• Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Fellowships
• Society of Exploration Geophysicists Scholarship
• Schlanger Ocean Drilling Fellowship
• The Geological Society of America graduate student research grants
• International Women's Fishing Association Scholarship
• International Society for Reef Studies Graduate Fellowship
• Fulbright Scholar Program
• DoD Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program
  • Must be a U.S. citizen and accept DOD employment post-graduation
• Charles H. Bussman Graduate Scholarship
  • Open to MTS members who are college graduate students currently enrolled full time in a marine-related field
• The MTS Student Scholarship
  • Open to MTS members who are college graduate students currently enrolled full time in a marine-related field
• John C. Bajus Scholarship
  • Open to MTS members who are college undergraduates and graduate students currently enrolled full time in a marine-related field who have shown a commitment to community service and/or volunteer activities
• ROV Scholarship
  • Open to MTS student members interested in remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or underwater work that furthers the use of ROVs
• Dieter Family Scholarship
  • Open to MTS members who are college graduate students currently enrolled full time in a marine-related field

Minority Scholarships / Fellowships

• Sigma Delta Epsilon/Graduate Women in Science National Fellowship
  • For women who hold a degree and are performing research
• American Association of University Women Fellowships
  • For women
• Association for Women Geoscientists awards and scholarships
  • Must be a member of AWG
• Zenefits Advancing Women in STEM Scholarship
  • For women in STEM with demonstrated financial need
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society - several STEM scholarships
  • For women in STEM with demonstrated financial need
• American Indian Graduate Center graduate fellowships
  • Must be American Indian, Native Alaskan, or Native Hawaiian
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
  • Must be of Hispanic heritage
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
  • Must be an immigrant or child of immigrant parents
• National Association for Black Geoscientists
  • Must be a U.S. citizen and minority
• Scholarship Opportunities For Native American Students
  • Must be Native American

Internship / Other

• East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students
  • Provides funding for a summer internship in east Asia/Pacific
• NOAA Coral Reef Management Fellowship
  
  • For those post-Baccalaureate or post-Master degree with work experience 
• NOAA Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship
  • Most appropriate for students defending their thesis soon - fellowship requires moving to the DC area
• UH Sea Grant Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
  • Open to students enrolled in a graduate program at any US accredited university

HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE PATHS OUR STUDENTS HAVE TAKEN AFTER GRADUATING FROM OUR 
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MARINE SCIENCE PROGRAM:

• General Aquarist at the Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu, HI

• NOAA Marine Debris Technician, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

• Marine Mammal Biologist, U.S. Navy, Kaneohe, HI

• Doctoral Candidates in various Science and Medical Programs, U.S. & abroad

• Research Technicians at both Hawaii Pacific University and University of Hawaii-Manoa

• Operations Manager, NOAA Atlantic fleet

• Laboratory Technician, University of Maryland

• Adjunct Instructor, Hawaii Pacific University

• Kayak Eco Guide, Kailua, HI

• High School Science Teachers, various locations

• Clinical Research Assistant at East-West Medical Research Institute, Honolulu, HI

• Habitat Restoration Coordinator for the non-profit conservation organization Malama Maunalua

• Pacific Islands Marine Debris Assistant Regional Coordinator for NOAA, Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument

• Lecturer, California State University - Monterey Bay

• Endangered Species Officer, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Advisory

• AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer, STEAM Outreach Specialist, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI

• Online instructor for Hawaii Community College, Big Island, HI

• Research Associates, Oceanic Institute, Waimanalo, HI

• Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Alu Like, Inc., a nonprofit organization for native Hawaiians

• Whale Watch Naturalists, Kailua-Kona, HI

• Wildlife Management Intern, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

• Lab Technicians for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Kaneohe, HI

• Science Curriculum Specialist, Mālama Honua Public Charter School, Waimanalo, HI

• Performing mandatory military service in country of origin

• Biologists for multiple federal agencies around the U.S.

• NOAA Field Observer, Papahanaumakuakea Marine National Monument, Midway Island

• Biological Technicians, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

• Fishery Policy Analyst, International Programs Staff Office, NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office

• Marine Biologist / NOAA Unit Dive Supervisor, Ecosystems and Oceanography Division, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

• Programs and Operations Coordinator, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Maui, HI

• Field Research Supervisor, Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawaii-Manoa/NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

• Loko I'a Coordinator for Kua'aina Ulu 'Auamo - a community-based nonprofit for environmental conservation in Hawaii

• NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, Washington, DC

• Research Assistant, Pacific Rim Conservation

• Fellow, National Marine Sanctuaries' Pacific Island Region and University of Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), Kaneohe, HI

• Fishery Analyst, Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, Honolulu, HI

• Marine Turtle Research Associate, Marine Turtle Research Program, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

• Teaching Fellow, KIPP Austin Public Schools

• NSF Ocean Acidification Research Technician, California State University - Northridge

• Project Researcher, Sustainable Fisheries Group at the School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Environmental Scientists, Specialists, and Consultants for various governmental and private agencies, U.S.

• Terrestrial Fisheries Data Specialist, Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawaii-Manoa/NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

• Hydrologic Scientist, Water Monitoring Division, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

• Chief Engineer, Chemical Oceanography Department, University of Bergen - Norway

• Instrument Specialist, The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Q: Who is eligible for HPU’s MSMS program?

A: Students graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in the Natural Sciences with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher may apply to the MSMS program at HPU. International students may be required to provide TOEFL scores. Please visit International Requirements for more information about eligibility if applying as an international student.

Q: Besides applying, what else do I need to do to get into your program?

A: To be accepted to the MSMS-T (thesis) track, an MSMS faculty advisor must agree to serve as your mentor throughout the research and thesis process. For this reason, we encourage students to begin making contact as soon as possible with faculty whose research is of interest. The onus is on the applicant to initiate contact with potential mentors.  Acceptance to the MSMS-A (applied) non-thesis track does not require the commitment of a faculty advisor; the MSMS Program Director and MSMS Program Administrator work together as MSMS-A advisors.

Q: How important is my GRE score?

A: THE GRE IS OPTIONAL FOR APPLICATIONS TO AY 2021-2022. Rather than evaluating an applicant on the basis of GRE scores alone, we focus on how students performed relative to the rest of their test group. Our percentile breakdown is as follows: 75th percentile = Desirable, 50th percentile = Qualified, 40th percentile = Satisfactory. Applicants with scores lower than the 40th percentile will only be accepted if the student has very strong transcripts or strong HPU faculty support. Students with scores below the 40th percentile may be required to take courses in the area(s) of weakness or re-challenge the exam.

Q: FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS REQUIRED TO TAKE THE TOEFL EXAM, WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM SCORES NEEDED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

A: TOEFL (IBT) overall score of 80 with a writing score of 25 or IELTS overall score of 6.0 with a writing score of 6.5.

Q: Is there an interview?

A: HPU’s Graduate Admissions website shows that an interview is required as part of the selection process, and interviews are required for acceptance to the MSMS- T track. The interview is usually a phone call between a potential faculty advisor and the applicant. Although our applicants initiate first contact with faculty, a faculty member interested in a particular applicant will set up a time to talk with that applicant via phone or Skype. Interviews are not required for the MSMS-A option.

Q: Is funding available?

A: The MSMS program does not offer scholarships, but MSMS-T accepted applicants are automatically considered for a merit-based Graduate Assistantship (GA). MSMS-A applicants are automatically placed on a waitlist for the GA, and may receive this award if funding is available. Beginning Fall 2018, we are able to offer a limited number of Graduate Assistantships which include either a $6250 OR $3125 tuition waiver for four consecutive semesters (not including summer terms) in return for 19 HRS/WK OR 10 HRS/WK (respectively) of service to the Department of Natural Sciences. Students do not need to apply for the GA; all accepted applicants are evaluated for this award

Some faculty may have grant funds available to help support their MSMS-T students; you will need to ask prospective faculty advisors about potential support for their specific research programs.

For a list of external scholarships, internships, and fellowships for graduate students in the marine sciences, see the Funding Opportunities section below. Students may also apply for loans offered through the Financial Aid Office at HPU. Visit the HPU-FAO website directly for more information.

For more information, or for answers to questions not listed above, please contact the MSMS Program Administrator at msms@hpu.edu

Ocean Careers

Marine Careers - Sea Grant

Careers in Oceanography, Marine Science & Marine Biology

Careers in Marine or Aquatic Sciences

American Fisheries Society

Association for the Sciences of Limnology & Oceanography (ASLO)

Association of Zoos & Aquariums

Marine Advanced Technology Education

National Association of Marine Laboratories

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)  - (select Advanced Search, Dept. of Commerce, NOAA)

NOAA Fishery Observer Program

NOAA Corps

National Science Teachers Association

Ocean Careers

World Aquaculture Society