A Program for Future Marine Biologists
Nova Southeastern University’s Marine Science Dual Admission program will save your place in our top-ranked master’s program while you complete your bachelor’s degree. With this unique opportunity, you can take advantage of the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center, one of the largest facilities in the United States dedicated to research and the conservation of marine life.
You're going to go to conferences. You're going to help write reports and proposals that we can actually get funded to expand our research. And then you're ultimately going to be writing manuscripts with me. You gain a wide range of experience at NSU.
AMY HIRONS, PH.D. | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPT. OF MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
NSU’s interdisciplinary master’s in Marine Sciences is a great way to get your feet wet and discover a career that’s both fulfilling and important locally and worldwide. Our wide-ranging programs will let you specialize in your interests and conduct original research alongside expert faculty.
Spend your time in the classroom learning theory and in the lab working on your research. Then go apply it in the field—whether that be the mangroves, coral reefs, tropical freshwater or deep-water. All the ecosystems are right on our doorstep at NSU.
This is Our Oceanographic Campus
Take a look around!
Program Overview
A Dual Admission program in marine science is available for freshman and transfer students. Students will complete the bachelor's degree and a non-thesis Master of Science in Marine Science in a six-year period (4+2). A master's degree that includes a research thesis may take longer to complete.
Students in this program are reserved placement at NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences once required standards have been met. Students will complete a minimum of 120 credits in any undergraduate major. After 45 credits of graduate work, each student will earn a master’s degree in marine biology. In addition, outstanding students will have the opportunity to conduct independent research either at the Oceanographic Center or at field locations throughout Florida.
While not required for the Dual Admission program, the undergraduate marine biology major is a rigorous science major designed to prepare students for graduate study in ocean science or marine biology. The curriculum consists of courses in physical and life sciences and is taught by research faculty in the Halmos College. This will fully prepare the undergraduate for the graduate curriculum, supplementing and enhancing the experience.
Degrees Earned
You can earn any bachelor’s degree and your Master of Science in Marine Science.
Program Length
Earn your bachelor’s in four years and your master’s in two years (non-thesis).
Interview Required
Dual Admission applicants must interview during Shark Preview Weekend, an exclusive admitted student event.
Deadline to Apply
Fall Admission: February 1
ELIGIBILITY
To be considered for Dual Admission and fill your reserved seat in graduate or professional school, there are some requirements you must meet. Undergraduate Admission Requirements are for first-time and transfer students applying to earn a bachelor’s degree. Graduate Admission Requirements are the standards students need to maintain while earning their undergraduate degree to remain eligible for the graduate or professional program.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Graduate Admission Requirements
Keep your dual admission status while you earn your bachelor’s.
Dual Admission reserves your seat in NSU’s M.S. in Marine Science program, but you must still complete a graduate application once you finish your bachelor’s degree.
Keep in mind that these are the basic requirements, and final determination of admission into the professional program is at the discretion of the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.
Degree Required
You must complete a bachelor’s degree in any major you choose. Additional prerequisites may be communicated upon admission.
Undergraduate GPA
You must maintain a 3.0 cumulative and science GPA. You must also earn at least a C in each prerequisite course. The science GPA for dual admission purposes is only composed of all courses with BIOL, CHEM, and PHYS prefixes.
Recommendation Letters
You must submit three letters of recommendation with your graduate application.
Additional Requirements
College credits that were earned through advanced high school programs such as AP, IB or college academy—or in summer coursework following high school graduation, prior to attending NSU—may transfer to NSU.
Students who enter NSU with earned college credits through advanced high school programs may be able to complete their degree and program requirements earlier than scheduled and request to enter their graduate professional programs earlier as well.
Please contact your admissions representative for more details regarding high school transfer credits.
Please be advised that a student's initial course placement in mathematics, science or composition may impact the timing of the completion of all dual admission prerequisites and major courses, and could result in the need to take summer courses.
Ready for the Next Step?
Here's how to apply.
Dual Admission is just one of NSU’s distinctive Premier Programs. These programs are designed to help highly motivated students accelerate their success.
You can apply for just about any combination of the following Premier Programs:
• Dual Admission
• The Fischler Academy of Education
• Huizenga Business Innovation Academy
• Razor’s Edge Scholars
You may apply for and be admitted into only one Dual Admission program for your first semester. Each program is unique and has its own eligibility requirements.
Apply for Undergraduate Admission
You can use the Shark Select Application or the Common App to apply to Nova Southeastern University.
Submit a Supplemental Application
Complete the supplemental Premier Programs application for fall entry.
Interview During Shark Preview
If you’re admitted to NSU and submit the supplemental application, you will be invited via email to choose which Shark Preview Weekend works for your schedule.