| MAF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMA | JOINT/MMA (RISD,RWU,OCG) | MAMA | PhD | |
| Typical time | 2-4 semesters | 2-3 semesters | 4 semesters | 6-10 semesters |
| Core Courses** | MAF 511, MAF 521, MAF 577, MAF 651, EEC/REN 514 | MAF 511, MAF 521, MAF 577, MAF 651, EEC/REN 514 | MAF 502, MAF 511, MAF 521, MAF 577, MAF 583, MAF 651, EEC/REN 514 | MAF 502, MAF 511, MAF 521, MAF 577, MAF 583, MAF 651, EEC/REN 514, MAF 650 (x2) |
| Core courses credits | 15 | 15 | 21 | 23 |
| Elective course credits*** | 12 – (50% must be in MAF) | 6 (50% must be in MAF)
6 additional will transfer in from dual degree |
12 (75% must be in MAF) | at least 24 (typically transferred credits from previous masters count toward elective requirement) * Note 400 level courses may not count toward PhD credit requirements |
| major project (MAF 589), thesis credits, or research credits | 3 (MAF 589) | 3 (MAF 589) | 6 (MAF 599) |
0-27 (MAF 699)
* Note PhD students may only take 6 credits of MAF 699 before passing comps
|
| Notes | 6 credits are transferred in | *(up to 30 may transfer from masters, 6 additional with petition) | ||
| Total Required Credits | 30 | 30 | 39 | 64 |
| MILESTONES | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major advisor selected | Typically end of 1st semester | Typically end of 1st semester | Typically beginning of 2nd semester | Typically beginning of 2nd semester |
| Big Picture Meeting | N/A | N/A | N/A | During 3rd Semester |
| Committee established | N/A | N/A | With or before program of study and/or proposal approval | With or before program of study and/or proposal approval |
| Committee makeup | N/A | N/A | 2 MAF, 1 outside, 1 chair (outside), may have additional members | 2 MAF, 1 Outside, (Orals +1 Outside), may have additional members |
| Credit transfers | N/A | 6 from joint program | N/A | with Program of Study below |
| Program of Study | End of 1st Semester | End of 3rd semester | End of 3rd semester | End of 3rd semester |
| Comp Exam | N/A | N/A | N/A | Within 12 months of completing core courses |
| Proposal approval by committee | End of 1st semester (major paper proposal) | End of 1st semester (major paper proposal) | Before submission to grad school, typically end of 2nd semester | Before submission to grad school, typically end of 4th semester |
| IRB Approval | Depends on topic/methods | Depends on topic/methods | After proposal approved by committee and >6 months before graduating (if necessary) | After proposal approved by committee and >6 months before graduating (if necessary) |
| Proposal Approval by grad school | N/A | N/A | At least 1 semester before graduation | Before end of 7th semester |
| Nomination for graduation | beginning of final semester | beginning of final semester | beginning of final semester | beginning of final semester |
| Defense/presentation | N/A | N/A | ~1 month before graduation | 1-2 months before graduation |
| Final copy of Project/Thesis/Dissertation | N/A | N/A | ~2 weeks before graduation | ~2 weeks before graduation |
MAF 511 – Marine Science and Ocean Uses (Fall)
MAF 651 – Marine Affairs Seminar (Fall)
MAF 583 – Quantitative Methods in Marine Affairs (Fall)
MAF 502 – Research Methods in Marine Affairs (Spring)
MAF 521 – Coastal Zone Law (Spring)
MAF 577 – International Ocean Law (Spring)
EEC 514 – Economics of Marine Resources (Spring)
** NOTE: For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2025, the following :
- MAF 521 Coastal Zone Law not required
- Electives credit requirements increased by 3
- Electives need not be cross listed with MAF