This is a named option within the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences MS.
The MS-AOS: Professional Program in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences focuses on developing the in-demand skills needed to succeed and become leaders in the rapidly expanding and changing industry of meteorological consulting, risk management, and operational forecasting. The program provides training in fundamental atmospheric sciences as well as skill development in forecasting, modeling, data analysis, scientific communication, and evaluation of research for professional careers in both government and commercial institutions.
We offer four specialization internal pathways:
Forecasting and Modeling
Weather and climate computer models are increasingly complex, specialized, and are used in everyday decision making by a large number of industries and people. Skilled modelers who understand the theory, can run the models, and interpret the output are in high demand in industry and agencies like NOAA and NASA. Gain insight into how models work and experience in running state-of-the-art models in our field.
Air Quality Science and Regulation
Air pollution affects public health globally, and understanding how emissions, atmospheric transport, and human impacts are linked requires a deep understanding of chemistry, dynamics, epidemiology, and policy. Our air quality pathway prepares students to tackle key pollution problems.
Climate Science, Risk Management, and Communication
Climate change is a leading environmental problem of our generation. Skilled leaders who can evaluate climate variability from seasonal to century timescales, connect these to impacts and risks to society, and present these to diverse audiences in government and the private sector are in high demand.
Satellite Meteorology
UW–Madison is the birthplace of satellite meteorology and home of the UW Space Sciences and Engineering Center (SSEC) and the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, both located in the same building as our department. You have access to these expert scientists. This track prepares students in real-world analysis of weather satellite, radar, and allied remote sensing technologies.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | February 1 |
| Spring Deadline | This program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | This program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required but may be considered if available. |
| English Proficiency Test | Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Admission to the Professional Program requires the same academic strength and expectations of the Research Program, except that you do not need to elect a research topic.
Our criteria for admissions is holistic and we generally favor high quality applicants who have:
- Evidence of interest in meteorological, climate, ocean, and/or remote sensing careers
- Sufficient background in prerequisite courses to be successful in AOS courses and careers, regardless of academic major
- Evidence of solid written and oral English communication skills
- GPA, GRE, and English proficiency test scores reflective of academic strength
- Ability to enhance the academic, geographic, gender, ethnic, economic, or cultural diversity of our department, especially for underrepresented groups
All applicants are assessed and ranked by an admissions committee chaired by the Graduate Program Chair. Admission priority is given to the highest ranked applicants who best meet our application criteria. No assistantship funding is available in the Professional program.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Information
Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.
Students enrolled in this program are allowed to accept teaching assistantships, project assistantships, and research assistantships, but will not receive tuition remission.
Students in this program may not switch to the research program and then back to the professional program. A one-way switch is allowed.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | Students must earn a C or above in all coursework. Students may not have any more than two incompletes on their record at any one time. |
| Assessments and Examinations | None. |
| Language Requirements | No language requirements. |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of ATM OCN | ||
| Students pick three of the following. | 9-10 | |
| Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I | ||
| Geophysical Fluid Dynamics II | ||
| Introduction to Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics | ||
| Radiation in the Atmosphere and Ocean | ||
| Introduction to Physical Oceanography | ||
| Technical Scientific Data Analysis, Measurements and/or Programming | ||
| At least three credits must be in ATM OCN. | 5-6 | |
| Meteorological Measurements | ||
| Research Computing in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences | ||
| Climatological Analysis | ||
| Sustainability, Environmental and Social Risk Management | ||
| Principles of Risk Management | ||
| Applied Aspects of ATM OCN | ||
| Students must pick a specialty option and PICK AT LEAST TWO courses of those lists for the specialty based on availability and interest, and AT LEAST ONE course either from the same specialty or another specialty. At least 6 of these credits must be ATM OCN. | 9 | |
| Climate | ||
| Global Warming: Science and Impacts | ||
| Global Climate Processes | ||
| Bioclimatology | ||
| Tropical Meteorology | ||
| The Middle Atmosphere | ||
| General Circulation of the Atmosphere | ||
| Large-Scale Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling | ||
| Ice and Climate Dynamics | ||
| Satellite Meteorology | ||
| Radar and Satellite Meteorology | ||
| Cloud Physics | ||
| Meteorological Satellite Applications | ||
| Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing | ||
| Air Quality | ||
| Introduction to Air Quality | ||
| Mixing and Transport in the Environment | ||
| The Chemistry of Air Pollution | ||
| Boundary Layer Meteorology | ||
| Air Pollution and Human Health | ||
| Forecasting and Modeling | ||
| Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I 1 | ||
| The Frontal Cyclone | ||
| Mesoscale Meteorology | ||
| Topics in Theoretical Meteorology | ||
| Professional Development | ||
| Complete from following: | 6 | |
| Practical Training in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences I 2 | ||
| Practical Training in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences II 2 | ||
| Foundations of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Research | ||
| Scientific Communications in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences | ||
| Advanced Independent Study 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
ATM OCN 610 Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I can count only if not used to count for fundamentals requirement.
- 2
ATM OCN 810 Practical Training in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences I and ATM OCN 811 Practical Training in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences II require a supervised 20-30 hour/week internship during the summer after completion of other course requirements. This course is taken in conjunction with 1 credit of ATM OCN 999 Advanced Independent Study. Placement in internship is made during the spring semester with support from the program coordinator and academic advisor. See program policies for more details.
- 3
ATM OCN 999 Advanced Independent Study credit earned through 1-2 hours per week attendance and reporting on: weekly meeting with program advisor, participation in Graduate School professional development workshops, attendance at research seminars or lab meetings, participation at professional conferences, department presentation of CCM portfolio (summer). Write up on activities required. ATM OCN 999 Advanced Independent Study can be taken for one credit in each of fall, spring, and summer session. Summer session ATM OCN 999 Advanced Independent Study can be taken remotely if internship placement is off campus.
Internship Requirement
At the end of the spring semester, all students are expected to have secured a paid or unpaid internship with a minimum of 10 hours per week of expected work for a minimum of 8 weeks. The internship, occurring in conjunction with online classes ATM OCN 810, ATM OCN 811, and ATM OCN 999, can include placement in a private company, public sector agency or lab, university setting, on or off campus, based on student interest, availability, and advisor approval. It is the responsibility of both the student and the program coordinator to assist in this match. In case the student is unable to secure an internship or seeks a more entrepreneurial approach, the student can propose an alternate in lieu of internship. The alternative must still meet minimum hour and length requirements, but may include independent business start-up planning, direct consulting with faculty, or other creative approaches. The alternative must have a direct mentor or supervisor identified and requires approval of the program director.
Other Policy
Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously. Note some policies redirect to entries in the official UW-Madison Policy Library. Programs may set more stringent policies than the Graduate School. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Named Option-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
Students will not be permitted to transfer credits from previously earned graduate coursework.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
With advisor approval, up to 7 credits numbered 300 or above may transfer toward the degree specialization areas (not the core degree requirements). These credits may transfer toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement if they are in courses numbered 700 or above. No credits may transfer toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements. No undergraduate credits from external institutions are allowed to transfer.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer up to 7 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UW–Madison University Special student toward the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. These credits may transfer toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement if they are in courses numbered 700 or above or are taken to meet the requirements of a capstone certificate and has the “Grad 50%” attribute. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
- Good standing (progressing according to standards; any funding guarantee remains in place).
- Probation (not progressing according to standards but permitted to enroll; loss of funding guarantee; specific plan with dates and deadlines in place in regard to removal of probationary status).
- Unsatisfactory progress (not progressing according to standards; not permitted to enroll, dismissal, leave of absence or change of advisor or program).
A semester GPA below 3.0 will result in the student being placed on academic probation. If a semester GPA of 3.0 is not attained during the subsequent semester of full time enrollment (or 12 credits of enrollment if enrolled part-time), this will be deemed unsatisfactory progress and the student may be dismissed from the program or allowed to continue for one additional semester based on advisor appeal to the Graduate School.
Advisor / Committee
Professional MS students will all be advised by the faculty director, with support from the program coordinator. Delegation of advising to other faculty may occur depending on program size and specific interests.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.
Time Limits
The Professional degree should take 12 months to complete at full-time enrollment, starting in fall semester. Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
L&S Policy for Graduate Student Academic Appeals
Graduate students have the right to appeal an academic decision related to an L&S graduate program if the student believes that the decision is inconsistent with published policy.
Academic decisions that may be appealed include:
- Dismissal from the graduate program
- Failure to pass a qualifying or preliminary examination
- Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress
- Academic disciplinary action related to failure to meet professional conduct standards
Issues such as the following cannot be appealed using this process:
- A faculty member declining to serve as a graduate student’s advisor.
- Decisions regarding the student’s disciplinary knowledge, evaluation of the quality of work, or similar judgements. These are the domain of the department faculty.
- Course grades. These can be appealed instead using the L&S Policy for Grade Appeal.
- Incidents of bias or hate, hostile and intimidating behavior, or discrimination (Title IX, Office of Compliance). Direct these to the linked campus offices appropriate for the incident(s).
Appeal Process for Graduate Students
A graduate student wishing to appeal an academic decision must follow the process in the order listed below. Note time limits within each step.
- The student should first seek informal resolution, if possible, by discussing the concern with their academic advisor, the department’s Director of Graduate Studies, and/or the department chair.
- If the program has an appeal policy listed in their graduate program handbook, the student should follow the policy as written, including adhering to any indicated deadlines. In the absence of a specific departmental process, the chair or designee will be the reviewer and decision maker, and the student should submit a written appeal to the chair within 15 business days of the academic decision. The chair or designee will notify the student in writing of their decision.
- If the departmental process upholds the original decision, the graduate student may next initiate an appeal to L&S. To do so, the student must submit a written appeal to the L&S Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Academic Affairs within 15 business days of notification of the department’s decision.
- To the fullest extent possible, the written appeal should include, in a single document: a clear and concise statement of the academic decision being appealed, any relevant background on what led to the decision, the specific policies involved, the relief sought, any relevant documentation related to the departmental appeal, and the names and titles of any individuals contributing to or involved in the decision.
- The Assistant Dean will work with the Academic Associate Dean of the appropriate division to consider the appeal. They may seek additional information and/or meetings related to the case.
- The Assistant Dean and Academic Associate Dean will provide a written decision within 20 business days.
- If L&S upholds the original decision, the graduate student may appeal to the Graduate School. More information can be found on their website: Grievances and Appeals (see: Graduate School Appeal Process).
Other
Students in the Professional program may not switch to the Research program and then back to Professional program. A one-way switch is allowed.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.