Oceanography Graduate Programs

Applicants to oceanography graduate school should ideally possess the following qualities:

• Solid background in biology, chemistry, geology and other earth sciences
• Solid background in mathematics
• Strong interest in research
• Fascinated by the ocean

Oceanography Graduate Programs and Curriculum

Oceanography graduate schools offer both a master’s in oceanography and a Ph.D. in oceanography. The study of oceanography is divided into branches, and most schools require students to choose a particular area of focus. The branches are:

• Biological oceanography – the study of the plants, animals, and microbes in the ocean
• Chemical oceanography – the study of the chemistry of the ocean and how it interacts with the atmosphere
• Physical oceanography – the study of the ocean’s physical attributes, such as waves, tides, currents, and mixing

Students of oceanography generally take core courses in combination with electives in their area of focus. Core courses might include:

• Marine bacteria, archaea and viruses
• Marine phytoplankton and biogeochemistry
• Marine zooplankton ecology
• Marine benthic ecology
• Biological oceanography

Students graduating with an M.S. in oceanography may immediately enter the workforce, or proceed to doctoral-level studies. Those obtaining a Ph.D. may undertake independent research in government, industry, or academia. The master’s degree is generally completed in two to three years. Most schools require a thesis, but some schools offer a non-thesis option as well. The Ph.D. usually takes four to six years to complete. Ph.D. candidates usually have to pass oral and written exams and defend a thesis based on original research.

Generally speaking, oceanographers are not required to obtain a license unless they are practicing as geologists. Licensing requirements for geologists vary from state to state. Individual state’s administrative offices can inform you whether you will need a license and provide detail on specific licensing requirements. A number of professional organizations exist for oceanographers, including the Association of the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.

Oceanography Career Paths

Job opportunities for oceanographers exist in government, academia, and private industry. Governmental entities employing a large number of oceanographers include the U.S. Coast Guard, National Marine Fisheries, and the Office of Naval Research. Job responsibilities have varied areas of focus. Options include:

• Geological oceanographers and geophysicists, who explore the ocean floor and map geologic structures
• Physical oceanographers, who investigate ocean properties such as temperature and density
• Chemical oceanographers, who investigate the chemical composition of seawater
• Marine archaeologists, whoare involved in the systematic recovery and study of material evidence.

Oceanography careers primarily involve research. Oceanographers collect, analyze, and interpret samples and data and disseminate their findings. Although oceanographers are commonly imagined to work on boats and ships, they are just as likely to be found in laboratories or at computers.

Oceanography Future Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates jobs for geoscientists and hydrologists (careers similar to oceanographer) are expected to grow by 21% between 2010 and 2020, which represents faster than average growth in comparison to other occupations. Opportunities are projected to be best for those holding advanced degrees.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides salary information for geoscientists, defined as scientists who “study the physical aspects of the earth.” The median salary for geoscientists in 2010 was $82,500. Salaries vary depending on specialization, industry, experience and education. The graph below provides median salary detail for some careers in geoscience.

Data according to

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Ed.