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The PSM in Resilience Practice provides a foundational understanding and current professional training for the resilience, adaptation, and sustainability sectors. 

If you are a current professional in a related field, this program allows you the opportunity to advance your education while working, and expand your professional and network and skills to be competitive.

If you are a current professional in a different field, interested in entering the resilience workforce, this program allows you to apply your professional experience in this interdisciplinary sector, while gaining foundational knowledge and professional experience to prepare you for a career change.

If you are finishing your undergraduate degree and considering next steps, this program allows you to pursue a master's degree and workplace experience at the same time, to be well positioned to land your dream job after graduation.

Statement of Purpose

Upload a statement of purpose, between 2-3 pages double spaced (PDF format preferred), that addresses the following questions:

Prior Experiences: 

• What knowledges, identities, or experiences inform your interest in contributing to environmental and community resilience efforts?
• What life, work, or educational experience/s will support your success in this professional master’s program? 

Future Goals: 

• What specific career objectives will this professional master’s degree help you reach?
• If you were 100% successful in achieving your career goals, what would you envision yourself doing professionally immediately after the program? What about in 10-20 years?

Resume/CV

Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae outlining your education, employment history, honors, memberships and participation in professional organizations, and research or scholarly activities.

Transcripts

Upload unofficial transcripts of your college work for initial review purposes only. If offered admission, you will need to provide official transcripts before you can be admitted.

Letters of Recommendation

You need two letters of recommendation from persons you have worked with in a professional or academic capacity, and who can speak from experience about your potential success in a professional master’s program. You will enter contact information for your referees in the online application. Your referees will receive an email directly from the University of Arizona instructing them to upload their letter and answer a few supplemental questions. It is strongly recommended that you contact your referees ahead of time to ask if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation, and to let them know they will be receiving an email from University of Arizona Graduate College Admissions with further instructions.

English Language Proficiency (International Students only)

English proficiency is one of the conditions of admission for applicants whose native language is not English. International applicants from non-English-speaking countries of origin (see list of requirements by country) must submit proof of English proficiency as part of their application. See the Graduate College’s English Proficiency requirements for more information.

Check the U of A Graduate College admissions Frequently Asked Questions, which addresses many common application questions. If you can't find an answer there, email the admissions department at gradadmissions@grad.arizona.edu or the Resilience Practice program coordinator at victoriajoseph@arizona.edu.

Students must choose an emphasis area - Climate Adaptation and Mitigation, International Development, or Water Conservation and Adaptation - either in the application phase or by their second semester in the program. Choosing an emphasis when applying does not affect admissions decisions, and students may change their emphasis by their second semester in the program.

See the Careers page for more information about emphases areas and related career paths, and the Academics page for emphasis-specific coursework.

Teams of 2-4 students work together to complete a project for an organization, agency, or business, related to environmental or community resilience. Students work closely with their capstone mentor and organization, and are supported by a faculty member.  Students are matched with capstone projects and mentors during the Capstone Planning course; students do not need to find their own projects. For online students, consideration given to students' availability and time zones, and the majority of capstone work may be completed asynchronously.

Yes! See Tuition and Funding for information about scholarships, graduate assistantships, and other funding opportunities.

Our programs emphasize application rather than academic research, and prepare students for resilience solutions implementation rather than scholarship. Although graduates may pursue PhD programs, the program is geared towards students who want to enter or advance their careers in the resilience workforce immediately after graduation.

A Professional Science Master's (PSM) is a master's degree program in the sciences designed to emphasize professional skills and applied learning. PSMs are accredited by the National Professional STEM Masters Association. University of Arizona offers PSMs in many science disciplines. A PSM brings a similar level of rigor and prestige as an MS degree, however it indicates more intensive preparation in the realm of professional skills and experience.