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    University of California-Santa Cruz

    Coastal Science and Policy MS

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Santa Cruz, USMSIn-person2 years
    STEM-OPT
    $73,542.00
    Tuition
    over 24mo
    22%
    Acceptance
    of applicants
    10
    Cohort
    students
    $155.00
    App fee

    Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is a 2-year, in-person MS program based in Santa Cruz, US. Tuition is $73,542 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

    About the program

    Two-year program with Year 1 coursework in natural and social sciences, economics, policy, governance, leadership, and innovation, followed by Year 2 full-time capstone projects with partner organizations addressing coastal sustainability challenges. Focuses on themes including innovation, justice equity diversity inclusion, coastal policy, fisheries aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, and coastal resilience climate change.

    Focus: both

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    Admissions

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    Deadlines

    Fall 2027
    Dec 12, 2026

    Standardized tests

    GRE
    optional
    Min Not Required
    TOEFL
    required
    Min Minimum TOEFL iBT scores vary by program; for most programs 4.0 AW (2026+), pre-2026 89 total for some STEM, otherwise lower; exact for CSP follows general non-STEM: TOEFL iBT 80+ total implied but check program sheet
    IELTS
    required
    Min IELTS Academic minimum overall 7; varies by program

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT (US)

    $26,202.00
    Annual living cost

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    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is $73,542.
    Is Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz online or in-person?
    Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is offered in-person.
    How long does Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz take to complete?
    Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is structured around 2 years.
    Is Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz STEM-OPT eligible?
    Yes - Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is STEM-OPT designated, allowing international graduates to extend their post-completion OPT for up to 36 months total.
    How competitive is Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz?
    Coastal Science and Policy MS at University of California-Santa Cruz reports an acceptance rate of approximately 22%.