Marine Studies - Marine Policy Concentration (PhD)

The objective of the degree is to train research-oriented scholars focused on the policy analyses surrounding the marine environment. Students will be able to

Demonstrate a foundation in policy analytic tools
Understand public policy, the policy process, and policy analysis as it applies to Marine Policy
Understand the law and initiatives surrounding marine policy
Identify or define a research question
Synthesize relevant marine policy literature
Design and execute a research study or experiment relevant to marine policy
Analyze data
Critically evaluate and interpret outcomes of novel research
Effectively communicate marine policy research results in oral and written presentations and manuscripts
Effectively present in professional and public forums
Collaborate in peer workgroups

Program Policy Document:

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.

Requirements for the Degree:

Requirements:

All students in the master of marine policy program are required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits. A course outside of the Marine Policy Program and the student’s area of concentration is also required. Students pursuing this degree must write an analytical paper. Students may bypass the master’s degree and work directly toward the PhD upon petition. Requirements for the PhD degree are similar to those for the master’s degree, but are more intensive. Students in the PhD in Marine Studies with a concentration in Marine Policy are required to complete a minimum of 42 graduate credits. Written and oral qualifying examinations are required before students are admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree. A written dissertation and oral defense of it are also required for the PhD.

Required courses:

Law and Institutions

Students must take the following three credit course in the area of “Law and Institutions”:

MAST 660 - International and National Ocean Policies Credit(s): 3

Decision Analytics

Students must take the following three credit course in the area of “Decision Analytics”:

MAST 663 - Decision Tools for Policy Analysis Credit(s): 3

Research Methods

Students must take two or more courses (6 credits) in the area of “Research Methods”.

Courses should be in statistics, survey research, and/or case study methods approved by the advisor and the Graduate Committee.

Economics

Students must take one of the following three credit courses in the area of “Economics”:

MAST 675 - Economics of Natural Resources Credit(s): 3
MAST 676 - Environmental Economics Credit(s): 3

Seminar

Students must also take the following one credit Seminar 3 times during their coursework:

MAST 873 - Seminar: Marine Policy Credit(s): 1

Science elective:

Must take one 3 credit course. Typically a course from one of the other three degree program areas in SMSP satisfies the science requirement but it may also be taken from outside SMSP if approved. Science elective must be approved by major advisor and the Graduate Committee.

Elective Credits:

Must take four or more courses (12 elective credits) as Policy/Science/Economics/Law (PSEL) Electives. Courses must be approved by the advisor and the Graduate Committee. Courses form a coherent course of study across or focusing in the areas of policy, science, economics, or law.

Doctoral Dissertation

9 Credits

MAST 969 - Doctoral Dissertation Credit(s): 1-12