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.

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.

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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

 

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).
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 first-time in college students 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

High School
3.5 Weighted GPA
(First-Time Students)
ACT/SAT
25 Composite ACT
1220 Total SAT
College
Minimum 30 Transfer Credits
With a 3.0 GPA
(Transfer Students)
 

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.

After you’ve decided which Premier Programs interest you, applying is as easy as 1-2-3.

You can apply for just about any combination of the following Premier Programs:

• Dual Admission
• Huizenga Business Innovation Academy
• Hochberg-Miniaci Razor’s Edge Scholars

You may apply to two Hochberg-Miniaci Razor’s Edge Scholars Programs. Options include Leadership and Research. You will be guaranteed an interview for your first choice Razor's Edge Scholars program and given your second choice interview based on availability.

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.

 

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Apply for Undergraduate Admission

You can use the NSU Application to apply to Nova Southeastern University.

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Submit a Supplemental Application

Once admitted, complete the supplemental Premier Programs application for fall entry and submit your Shark Preview preference date. 

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Attend Shark Preview

Once your preferred Shark Preview date has been confirmed by the Shark Preview team, you will receive a confirmation email. Please do not book any travel arrangements until you receive your official Shark Preview confirmation email. 

For students interviewing for select programs during Shark Preview, explore interview tips and recommendations to help you make a lasting impact. See you at Shark Preview!