The Master of Education degree in Environmental Education is a 30 credit hour program with emphasis on environmental education methodology, content background, and natural history skills. This is a thesis-optional program. Students may elect to do a thesis, which involves substituting three hours of research methods and six hours of thesis credits for nine hours of electives. Students selecting the non-thesis option are required to write two professional papers and complete a competency examination. The Master of Science degree in Parks and Recreation with emphasis in environmental education is also a 30 credit hour program, with the option of a thesis.