About
Founded in 1962, UVI is a public, co-ed, land-grant HBCU in the United States Virgin Islands.
Entry Requirements and Application
The application period opens on November 1 and closes on March 1. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by April 1. Applicants must follow directions precisely to ensure that applications reach the correct UVI program and are processed on time. If applicants have any questions about the application process, they should contact the MMES Program Coordinator at sophia.mckenzie@uvi.edu.
Please note that the program does not have a minimum GPA requirement. The program also does not require that you identify an advisor before applying. However, we strongly encourage you to contact faculty who share your interests to see if they have available openings on their research team. Please see our "Research" tab for research areas and associated faculty.
Application due date and decision timeline:
To apply to the MMES program, please complete the following checklist of requirements (be sure to complete all items, 1 through 6):
1. Program Application online form. This is different from the online graduate application, also required below at number 6. Please be prepared to complete this web form in one sitting.
Information you will need to complete the Program Application:
2. Three (3) letters of recommendation must be completed by an evaluator and submitted through the web form by the application deadline. The program application system will not automatically notify your letter writers. It is the applicant's responsibility to send the link to their letter writers and to ensure that letters of recommendation are submitted by March 1. (Note: Do not use a service, such as Interfolio, to send the recommendations as our recommendation cover form asks about the candidate in more detail). Here is the link to share: https://www.uvi.edu/academics/science-math/departments/bio-sciences/marine-envir-science/masters-marine-envir/eform2.html
3. A curriculum vitae (cv) or résumé must be submitted with your application. Please email your cv by the application deadline to mmes@myuvi.net.
4. Submit official transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges and/or universities. Official transcript (s) must be sent via one of the methods below:
Please notify MMES Program Coordinator at sophia.mckenzie@uvi.edu when electronic transcripts are ordered. For hard copy transcripts, please use the following address:
If an applicant is completing their degree at the time of application and if they
are accepted to the Masters program, they will have to produce proof of having been
awarded a baccalaureate degree prior to being allowed to matriculate.
It is highly recommended that applicants would have completed the following coursework
within the past ten (10) years:
Individuals without the stated coursework are invited to contact the Program Director to discuss their background and preparation for the program.
5. Proof of English competency for international students for whom English is not a first language, such as TOEFL scores.
6. Complete the online graduate application and pay a $25 application fee. You must also complete the Program Application in addition to this application (See Number 1). Instructions for paying the $25 application fee will be sent after the March 1st deadline. The application fee will be due April 1st.
How to Apply to MMES Presentation
International Students
The MMES program welcomes international applicants. Please read the International
Student Manual for additional application directions (PDF document and form) and contact the MMES Program Coordinator.
Transfer Students
The MMES program welcomes inquiries from potential transfer applicants. Please contact
the MMES Program Coordinator. The following policy, as stated in the UVI Graduate Bulletin, applies:
A maximum of six graduate credits earned at another university or college may be accepted towards the fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree. Only credits earned within the last five years at a grade no lower than B will qualify for acceptance under this regulation. Students should request that an official copy of their graduate transcript be sent to the Admissions Office for consideration of courses to be transferred.
Potential transfer applicants should note that transfer credits may only be counted towards electives, and may not replace any of the first year core courses of the MMES program.