Degree requirements
A minimum of 65 semester hours (s.h.) beyond the bachelor's degree is required. Students enrolled in the program will select one of the four tracks (Ecology, Geoscience, Social Science, Maritime Studies) as their primary area and take a minimum of 18 s.h. in that track. Two of the remaining three areas become complementary tracks, with students required to take at least 9 s.h. in each. All students are required to take the introductory overview course CRM 6100 (2 s.h.), CRM 6200 research, marine policy course (PADM/CRM 6300) (3 s.h.), and GRAD 7004 Professional Ethics. Students must also complete an internship with a government agency or private sector organization (3 s.h.) and successfully complete a dissertation involving original and independent research (9 s.h.). Six (6) s.h. are available for to take as elective courses important to their area of specialization.
Other requirements
There is a residence requirement of 2 years. An internship and successful completion of comprehensive examinations are also required.
Time Limits for Completion
Students enrolled in the CRM program must complete all degree requirements within seven years of their entry into the program.
Courses
Courses available to students enrolled in the CRM program fall into four categories: general requirements, primary track, complementary tracks, and other elective courses. All students are required to take the courses listed in the general requirement category. They will also be required to take 18 s.h. of course work in one of the three program tracks, their primary track, and 9 s.h. in each of the other two complementary tracks. Other courses highly relevant to coastal resources management are currently being offered by ECU and can be taken as electives by CRM students.
