Intercampus Marine Science Programs
MS, PhD

The University of Massachusetts Intercampus Marine Science (IMS) graduate program brings ‌together expertise in marine science and related fields under the umbrella of the entire University of Massachusetts system. The IMS mission involves scientific understanding, management, economic growth, and sustainability of our marine environments.

The multidisciplinary program focuses on the aquatic ecosystem and its contribution to humanity and provides a unique learning experience for students and professors alike who engage with local, regional, and worldwide partners.

Graduate students at IMS have the unique benefit of choosing to work from one of five diverse UMass campuses, including Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and Worcester (UMass Medical School). Interested students apply to an individual UMass “home” campus.

Student success

SMAST PhD student Siddhant Kerhalkar standing in front of the ocean

Siddhant Kerhalkar '24

"I learned that UMassD is home to good facilities and resources, and I knew I could do impactful research here. I am in the Intercampus Marine Science (IMS) program, which allows me to enroll in courses at the other UMass campuses and have access to resources and faculty across the UMass system."

For the application process, interested students, depending on their research interests, apply to one of the five UMass campuses. While IMS students may take courses at UMass Worcester Medical campus, please be aware the Worcester campus does not accept IMS applications.

Learn more about the overall program and admissions requirements.

Graduate admissions requirements

University requirements for graduate admissions

Submit an application via the online portal. Be sure to provide your full legal name and to capitalize the first letter of all proper nouns.
Pay non-refundable $60 application fee (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) via the online portal. For Nursing applicants, the non-refundable application fee is $75.
Statement of Purpose, minimum 300 words. Unless otherwise indicated in the program requirement details, indicate your graduate study objectives, research interests and experience, and business or industry experience if applicable. If you are applying for a teaching or research assistantship, include any special skills or experience that would assist us in making assistantship decisions.
Resume
Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not). Unofficial transcripts are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled a final official transcript is required. International students applying with an transcript evaluation, please submit that document with your unofficial transcripts. International applicants for Data Science must submit semester-by-semester transcripts as well as consolidated transcripts.
Many programs have specific recommendations/requirements, please see the additional program-specific requirements for more information.
International students: official TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Pearson PTE or Duolingo (if accepted by program) score. Unofficial scores are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled official scores are required and must be sent by the testing agency (copies/scans not accepted). This is required of any applicant who did not earn a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited academic institution in the U.S. or accepted English-speaking country, see exemptions for more details. We require an overall/total minimum score of 72 on the TOEFL iBT or BAND 6.0 on the IELTS or a 52 on the Pearsons PTE Academic for entrance to any program and a minimum score of 79 on the TOEFL iBT or BAND 6.5 on the IELTS for consideration for a teaching assistantship. Some programs require higher minimum scores (see program-specific requirements). Most programs also accept the Duolingo with a minimum score of 95. The following programs do not accept the Duolingo: Art Education, Biology/Marine Biology, Nursing (MS, DNP, PhD), Psychology: Clinical, and Public Policy.
All official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration.

Program deadlines

Expand your opportunities

courses and option areas from 5 diverse campuses and 23 departments
range of knowledge from each faculty member
blending of diverse academic programs across traditional disciplines to form contemporary interdisciplinary concentrations
quality graduate education with fostering research and public service in support of the Commonwealth’s efforts