Graduate Programs

Overview

A graduate degree from the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering (RCSE) equips students to address critical challenges in coastal resilience, flooding, and environmental change through interdisciplinary training and applied research. Located in the Mississippi River Delta, Tulane offers a unique living laboratory and close faculty mentorship that prepare graduates for impactful careers in engineering, environmental science, and policy.

1. Graduate Certificate in River-Coastal Science and Engineering. This certificate is designed for non-resident, early career professionals, though it is available to resident students as well.  This certificate is customizable by students in riverine or coastal topics, or a blend of the two.  These credits can also apply toward a graduate degree in RCSE including a non-resident M.S. program (#3 below).
2. Dual Master's Degree with Landscape Architecture and River-Coastal Science and Engineering. This program offers courses in three critical areas of knowledge: landscape architecture, river and coastal science engineering, and ecology and evolutionary biology sciences. This approach incorporates a range of specialized disciplines while maintaining the strengths of a comprehensive design education. The program culminates in dual degrees, a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Master of Science in River-Coastal Science and Engineering, preparing graduates for a wide range of opportunities for future work.
3. Master of Science in River-Coastal Science and Engineering (resident).  This is a degree program that requires a thesis and is designed for students working on research topics with a thesis advisor while resident in that advisor’s lab group and supported (tuition + stipend) through a research assistantship or fellowship.
4. Master of Science in River-Coastal Science and Engineering (non-resident).  This degree is identical in requirements to the resident option in #3 above but is designed to allow professionals to acquire the degree remotely while being employed. This degree requires a thesis, but it is anticipated that the thesis committee and topic would be designed as an offshoot of the student’s employment. We envision that most students who pursue this degree will have acquired the Graduate Certificate (#1 above) as an intermediate step, which provides an opportunity for students to arrange funding through their employer and to design a thesis project that fits their individual work-life issues.
5. Doctor of Philosophy in River-Coastal Science and Engineering.  As is mandated by Tulane University for all Ph.D. programs, this degree requires a minimum one year period of residency during the degree program. The PhD is designed for students working on research topics with a dissertation advisor while resident in that advisor’s lab group and supported (tuition + stipend) through a research assistantship or fellowship.

More details about each of these programs and application instructions are available by clicking on the appropriate buttons to the right.  Questions about programs should be directed to the RCSE graduate advisor Dr. Annalisa Molini (amolini@tulane.edu).

Students are encouraged to reach out to RCSE faculty in their area of interest to explore available opportunities to join their research group before applying.