Georgia Institute of TechnologySchool of Earth and Atmospheric Science
INFORMATION ABOUT

Professional Track Masters in Atmospheric Sciences

This program is designed specifically for students who already have a Bachelor's degree and are interested in switching fields to meteorology - or more specifically, earning certification in meteorology from AMS and NOAA/NWS.

  • The Professional Track Masters takes one year.
  • Students are responsible for their tuition.
  • A student completing this MS degree will have all the course requirements for membership to the American Meteorological Society and for employment by NOAA and the National Weather Service.

Requirements for getting into the program:

  • Georgia Tech requires a 2.7 GPA to be admitted into a graduate program. However, admission is on a competitive basis. Our recently admitted graduate students have had an average GPA of 3.3 and an average Quantitative GRE of 720, Analytical GRE 640 and Verbal GRE 510.
  • Students with Bachelor's of Science and/or engineering generally have the background to pursue our MS degree. However, since not all students applying already have that background, the specific courses needed are:
    • 4 semesters of Calculus (Calc I, II, vector Calc, and Differential Equations)
    • 2 semesters of calculus based Physics
    • (optional but helpful) 2 semesters Chemistry with Lab

A sample MS course load:

Fall Spring
6502 Fluid Dynamics
6140 Thermo of Atmos and Ocean
8901 Special Problems (research with faculty)
8011 Departmental Seminar
2 Atmos Electives (6000+)		 6512 Dynamics 2
4450 Synoptic Meteorology
4430 Remote Sensing
4951 Practical Internship in Meteorological Forecasting - NWS or TWC
2 Electives (6000+)
  1. Georgia Tech MS - 30 hours total, 21 at 6000+, 18 in major, 3 hours 8901 (research with report)
  2. NWS (National Weather Service)
    • 6 hours of dynamics (6502, 6512)
    • 6 hours of analysis (4450, Prac. Intern.)
    • 3 hours physical met (6140)
    • 2 hours remote sensing (4430)
    • 6 more atmospheric science classes (Atmos. electives)
    • (6 hours Physics, 3 ODE, 9 other science or same - chem, CS, other)
  3. AMS (American Meteorological Society) 12 hours meteorology, with 8 in core areas (2 units in each of 3)
    • Atmos. or Ocean Dynamics (6502)
    • Atmos or Ocean Thermo
    • Physical Met or Ocean (6140)
    • Synoptic Met (or weather systems) or Ocean (4450)
    • Hydrology