The Department of Entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) offers a full curriculum online M.S. degree in Entomology. The online option emphasizes course work in entomology and flexibility in non-entomological training specific to individual student needs and interests.
The online M.S. option was developed for students who cannot participate in an on-campus degree program. Intended audiences for this degree are individuals actively involved in entomologically related professions where advanced training in entomology is desirable, as well as those seeking such positions. Examples include agricultural professionals, crop consultants, pest control operators, middle and high school science and biology teachers, and military personnel. Students enrolled in the online program will have the opportunity to apply the training they receive in this program to their individual professions. The department faculty and staff strive to build programs designed to meet the needs of our students. Interested in Applying? Details on the Online Master's of Science in Entomology Entrance Requirements
Students must hold a B. S. or B. A. degree from an accredited college or university. Baccalaureate course work must include chemistry, mathematics, biology, and introductory entomology. A grade of C or better is required for all prerequisites. An undergraduate level statistics course will not fulfill the college level mathematics prerequisite. (A limited number of deficiencies in course work can be made up during the graduate program, but these will not count toward the program of study.)
An undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.0 or better is required for Full Graduate Standing. Applicants with a G.P.A. of less than 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis for provisional admission. Provisionally admitted students must earn a B or better in their first 9 credit hours of graduate entomology courses. Admission will be revoked if students do not meet the academic standard set in their provisional admittance. Provisional status will be upgraded to full admission when the provisional admittance requirements are met.
Students whose native language is not English must have a TOEFL score of 550 or better for admission into the department (students with scores between 500-550 may be considered for provisional admission). Graduate Studies is temporarily accepting a DuoLingo English score of 110 or greater. Requirements
- The online M.S. in Entomology degree program follows the requirements for an Option B master's degree. This is a non-thesis option. These requirements are determined by UNL's Graduate College.
- Students in the online M.S. program must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit, at least 15 of which must be earned in courses open exclusively to graduate students (900 or 800 level without 400 or lower counterparts).
- Transfer credits from other fully accredited institutions may be applied to the degree.
- The degree requires 15 credit hours in entomology.
- The degree requires that at least 15 credit hours be from UNL.
- Students must take or have taken either ENTO 801 Insect Physiology, 3 cr, OR ENTO 818, Insect Identification & Natural History, 4 cr, AND ENTO 888, Master's Degree Project, for 3 credit hours, in which students will develop an independent project applying their graduate training to a practical question of interest.
- At the end of the graduate program, students must pass the Board Certified Entomology (BCE) general exam through the Entomological Society of America OR the Department of Entomology's general exam.
- A specialized written comprehensive exam, prepared by the online education committee, must also be passed at the end of the degree program.
- The online M.S. in Entomology degree program is a fully recognized and accredited degree program of the University of Nebraska
On admission to the degree, students will work directly with the Online Education Coordinator and Advisor to select course work, evaluate progress toward the degree, and administer the written comprehensive exam. The student and advisor will work together to develop a memorandum of courses. Time Requirement
The Online M. S. degree is designed to be completed in 2.5 or 3 years, based on completing 6 credit hours for 5 semesters. The maximum time limit to completing the degree is five (5) years or less (*see exceptions below). A typical program would include 30 credit hours of entomology or closely related courses, including a 3-credit hour M.S. degree project.
Course work exceeding ten (10) years will not apply toward partial fulfillment of the degree requirements for Master's degrees at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The Graduate Council has adopted the general principal of denying permission to validate credit hours more than 10 years old. Courses may be valid up to the 10-year limit, counting from the last day of classes for the semester or term in which the student registered for the first course that is used on the program. A report of the results of the examination, which is prepared, given, and graded by the Department, is filed in the Graduate Studies office. Unless a grade of B is obtained in the examination, the student is required to take additional work, the amount and nature of which is determined by the major advisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies. The student is ultimately responsible for meeting all time requirements and deadlines.
*Exceptions to time requirement:
- “Graduate students who encounter personal obstacles that require them to pause their academic studies may request Academic Leave. Academic leave may be requested for illness or injury; to provide care or assistance for immediate family and/or dependents; to meet military service obligations; or for other personal reasons.”
- Alternatively, students in their final stages of degree completion who need an extra semester should not request an academic leave. Instead, students may request an Extension of their degree program. An extension request must include a plan and timeline for degree completion and is limited to two terms (Fall, Spring or Summer term). Extension requests must be approved by the student’s advisor(s), the Graduate Program Chair, and the Dean for Graduate Studies.”
Transfer of Credit
At least 50 percent of the course work of the minimum number of graduate credits required for the Master's degree (15 credits hours) must be completed through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For graduate credits from another fully accredited institution to be accepted in the Master's degree program, the Department of Entomology must approve the quality and suitability as equal to or superior to the offerings available at UNL. Only graduate credit that was not applied to a degree can be transferred. Credit from professional courses is not transferable. Students must have been enrolled in the institution that offered the course and must provide two (2) copies of the official transcripts. Approval by the Office of Graduate Studies also is required for the transfer of graduate work taken elsewhere, and copies of official transcripts must be sent to them.
Course Schedule for Online Master's in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Accreditation
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a fully accredited graduate and undergraduate institution. The online Master's of Science degree program in Entomology is conducted and administered by the Department of Entomology in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and by the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska. The online M.S. in Entomology degree program is a fully recognized and accredited degree program of the University of Nebraska.
Other Policies and Additional Information Additional information on policies and procedures are provided in the UNL Graduate Studies Bulletin and in the Department of Entomology Graduate Handbook. The Chair of the Department of Entomology Graduate Committee also acts as a resource for applicants and current graduate students.