The M.S. degree prepares one for professional work in geology or environmental geosciences, or for further work leading to a doctorate. It may also be valuable to teachers of earth science in secondary schools and community colleges. Teachers and prospective teachers, if not already licensed, will be expected to obtain the necessary requisites for licensure in Illinois.

Students are normally expected to meet the geology and environmental geosciences, chemistry, physics, and mathematics requirements for the B.S. in geology and environmental geosciences at NIU. However, students whose undergraduate major was in a science other than geology are encouraged to apply. Such students may be required to complete a core sequence of undergraduate geology and environmental geosciences courses in consultation with their adviser and the graduate committee.