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    University of California-Santa Cruz

    Ocean Sciences MS

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Santa Cruz, USMSIn-person2 years
    STEM-OPT
    $73,542.00
    Tuition
    over 24mo
    12.7%
    Acceptance
    of applicants
    4
    Cohort
    students
    42
    Credits

    Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is a 42-credit, 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

    Master's degree combining core oceanography courses in physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects with electives for depth in chosen areas. Offered via Plan I (thesis) for research preparation or Plan II (examination) with broader focus including marine biology and ecology.

    Focus: both
    US News 2025 #13 world in Marine and Freshwater Biology

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    Admissions

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    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

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    Deadlines

    Fall 2027
    Dec 16, 2026

    Standardized tests

    GRE
    optional
    Min Not Required
    TOEFL
    required
    Min 83 total (pre-2026); 4.0 (2026+); not listed in STEM programs requiring 89/4.5
    IELTS
    required
    Min 7.0 overall

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT + 24 months STEM OPT (US)

    $26,202.00
    Annual living cost

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    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    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 Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is $73,542 across 42 required credits.
    Is Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz online or in-person?
    Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is offered in-person.
    How long does Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz take to complete?
    Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is structured around 2 years and 42 credits.
    Is Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz STEM-OPT eligible?
    Yes - Ocean Sciences 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 Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz?
    Ocean Sciences MS at University of California-Santa Cruz reports an acceptance rate of approximately 12.7%.