Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Broadcast & Operational Meteorology

Get Started on Your Online Degree Today!

Did you know? One in three of today’s on-air broadcast meteorologists in the U.S. is a graduate of Mississippi State’s nationally recognized meteorology program.

Are you ready to make your mark in the world of weather forecasting? Join the hundreds who have enrolled in the Broadcast and Operational Meteorology Program online at MS State. Our program provides a wide variety of meteorology courses tailored for professionals like you. Whether you're a seasoned broadcast meteorologist seeking specialized training or a passionate weather enthusiast craving deeper knowledge, our program is designed to meet your needs.

Who should pursue this degree?

While our program is designed for broadcast meteorologists, it is open to individuals from various professional backgrounds. Whether you're a journalist, educator, military personnel, National Weather Service employee, private sector meteorologist, or general hobbyist, this degree is your gateway to mastering operational meteorology.

While designed to complement weather training received in the military, military meteorological training is not a requirement for the program. This degree is for you if you’re seeking to further develop skills in operational, applied meteorology.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour	$419.00
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour	$25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

What are some potential careers?

Imagine the possibilities! From becoming a sought-after broadcast meteorologist to serving as a trusted private weather consultant, the opportunities are endless. Whether you aspire to inform the public through media, educate future meteorologists, or contribute to critical operations in the military or National Weather Service, this program will empower you to achieve your goals.

Program Structure

Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in each departmental course (GG/GR course prefix)
124 credit hours are required to earn the Bachelor of Science degree
New students must begin the program in the fall semester
All courses are offered on the semester system
Instructors have advanced degrees and are recognized experts and real-life practitioners in their field
Course materials such as exercises, assignments, study guides, exams, and lectures will be delivered via the Internet using Canvas. Canvas is a software program designed specifically for online learning.

The completion of university and program requirements apply to all students in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree in Geosciences.

BOMP Requirements

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
GR 1113	Physical Geography (Lecture)	3
GR 1111	Physical Geography (Lab)	1
GR 1123	World Geography	3
GR 1133	Weather and Climate (Lecture)	3
GR 1131	Weather and Climate (Lab)	1
GR 4813	Natural Hazards and Processes	3
GR 4643	Physical Climatology	3
GR 4633	Statistical Climatology	3
GR 4713	Synoptic Meteorology	3
GR 4753	Satellite & Radar Meteorology	3
GG 3613	Water Resources	3
GR 4613	Applied Climatology	3
GR 4473	Numerical Weather Prediction	3
GR 4623	Physical Meteorology	3
GR 4913*	Thermodynamic Meteorology	3
GR 4923	Severe Weather	3
GR 4443	Weather Prediction I	3
GR 4453	Weather Prediction II	3
GG 3603	Oceanography	3
Total Hours:		53

University Requirements

Computer Literacy - 3 semester hours	English Composition - 6 semester hours
Fine Arts - 3 semester hours	Foreign Language - 6 semester hours
History - 3 semester hours	Jr/Sr Writing Course - 3 semester hours
Literature - 3 semester hours	Mathematics - 6 semester hours
Natural Science - 9 semester hours	Public Speaking - 3 semester hours
Social Science - 9 semester hours	Electives 27 semester hours-Approx

University Curriculum Total Approx. 72 semester hours

AMS, NWS, and/or WMO Requirements

The World Meteorological Organization and the National Weather Service have specific educational requirements for aviation forecasters or meteorologists. Not all weather careers will require the same exact courses, so feel free to discuss your career plans with an advisor before beginning any of our programs.

A degree in meteorology or a related natural science may also be necessary to gain employment in a meteorological career (this will depend on employer). Additional math and science courses will most likely be required for employment. All the BOMP courses can be applied toward our undergraduate degree program in Geosciences, which is considered a related natural science field. Our full BS and MS degree programs (e.g. BOMP or AMP) can be modified or tailored to meet these requirements.

Full Requirements

*Students seeking AMS, NWS, and/or WMO requirements should make the following adjustments to their program of study to include calculus-based courses:

Take GR 4733 Synoptic Meteorology instead of GR 4713 Synoptic Meteorology I
Take GR 4823 Dynamic Meteorology instead of GR 4913 Thermodynamic Meteorology
Take GR 4963 Mesoscale Meteorology instead of GR 4923 Severe Weather

Additional courses are required to meet AMS, NWS, and/or WMO requirements:

Dynamic Meteorology II
Calculus I-III
Differential Equations
2-Calculus based Physics w/labs
A Chemistry appropriate for science majors

Of these additional courses, MSU only offers Dynamics II online. Contact the advisor with any questions you may have.

Full Requirements Flowchart

Additional courses may be required for those pursuing the AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist.

* Students seeking to work for the NWS or seeking the CBM should contact an advisor for program adjustments.

ANY SEMESTER/ANY YEAR

GR 4640-Meteorological Internship is not required for the degree or certificate. For more information read our Internship Guidelines.

Admissions Process

Follow the guide below to ensure that you complete all that is necessary for taking courses in the Broadcast and Operational Meteorology Program (BOMP) at Mississippi State University.

Fill out the online Application for Admission, and pay an application fee online or by mail.**Please choose Online Education as your campus and Geoscience/Broadcast & Operational Met (BS) as your choice of major.
Request official transcripts from EVERY university or school you have previously attended. Your application will not be considered until ALL transcripts are received. Transcripts can be mailed to the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, P O Box 6334, Mississippi State, MS 39762 or electronically submitted (eScripted) to admit@msstate.edu.
If you have attended college; please submit the following:
- Official transcripts from each school attended.
- ACT or SAT scores may possibly be required; NOT required if you have already earned a bachelor's degree.
- High school transcript; may possibly be required.
If you have never attended college; please submit the following:
- High school transcript showing graduation date.
- ACT or SAT scores.
- NOTE: We recommend that you submit your online application and all necessary documentation (transcripts, application fee, etc.) prior to July 1.
You will receive an email of acceptance when you are officially admitted to Mississippi State University.
Every new student must register for Online@State Orientation. Students must complete orientation to obtain a release to register from your advisor which will allow you to register for classes.
Textbooks are available 2 to 3 weeks prior to the start of classes, and can be ordered through Barnes & Noble At MSU.
You will be able to access Canvas on the first day of the semester. To access your courses, enter your NetID and NetPassword and click the classroom tab.

NOTE: If you have never attended college, you must apply as a freshman. If you have attended any other college, you must apply as a transfer student.

Freshman Students

To be accepted into the freshman class at MSU, students must satisfactorily complete the course requirements as outlined by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships as stated below:

To be accepted into the freshmen class at Mississippi State University, students must satisfactorily complete the following College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with an appropriate core grade-point average:

English - 4 units, all requiring substantial communication skills components.
Mathematics - 3 units: Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. (Algebra I taken in the 8th grade will be accepted for admission provided the course content is the same as the high school course.)
Natural Science - 3 units chosen from Biology, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, Physical Science, Physics, Advanced Physics, or another science course of comparable rigor. (Two science units must be laboratory-based.)
Social Studies - 3 units, including U.S. History, World History (substantial Geography component), Government (½ unit), and Economics (½ unit) or Geography (½ unit).
Advanced Electives - 2 units chosen from Foreign Language, World Geography, 4th-year laboratory-based Science, and 4^th-year Mathematics. One of the units must be Foreign Language or World Geography. (Foreign Language taken in the 8^th grade will be accepted for admission provided the course content is the same as the high school course.)
Computer - ½ unit: computer as a productivity tool, not as a keyboarding device.
Pre-High School Units - Algebra I, or first year Foreign Language, or Mississippi Studies taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission provided the course content is the same as the high school course.

Transfer Students

To be accepted, transfer students must meet the following transfer admissions requirements:

Students may transfer to Mississippi State University from regionally accredited community, junior, or senior colleges for any period of enrollment, provided they have earned a 2.0 GPA (as computed by Mississippi State University) on all college courses attempted as well as earned a 2.0 GPA on the 30-hours of core courses. Applicants must list all colleges attended on the application for admission, must be in good standing with the last college or university attended, and must meet one of the following:

Complete the 30-hours of core courses listed below with a 2.0 GPA on those courses and earn an overall 2.0 GPA (as computed by Mississippi State University) on all hours attempted.
- English Composition – 6 semester hours
- College Algebra, Quantitative Reasoning, or a higher level math – 3 semester hours
- Natural Science – 6 semester hours
- Humanities and Fine Arts – 9 semester hours
- Social or Behavioral Sciences – 6 semester hours
Earn an A.A. degree (associate in art) or a higher degree from a regionally accredited community, junior, or senior college with a 2.0 GPA (as computed by Mississippi State University).
Meet the requirements for entering freshmen and earn an overall 2.0 GPA (as computed by Mississippi State University) on all hours attempted.

University Requirements

All courses taken at another accredited institution are recorded on the student's permanent record; however, the student's academic advisor determines the applicability of the work toward degree requirements.

The university will accept no more than 62 semester hours from a two-year institution (Community College) toward degree requirements. The remaining 62 hours needed for the degree must come from a four-year college.

BOMP Requirements

Transfer credit can be accepted in lieu of BOMP Certificate courses offered through the Geosciences Online Education Programs.

Please make sure all current/previous transcripts have been submitted to MSU Admissions at admit@msstate.edu or to the MSU Registrar at registrar@registrar.msstate.edu.

Once all transcripts have been submitted to MSU, request a waiver by sending an email to Yasma Jacobs at yjacobs@geosci.msstate.edu.

Readmission

If you have previously attended Mississippi State University, you will need to apply for Readmission.

To register for a course, a student must be admitted to Mississippi State University. Returning students who were not enrolled the previous semester (Fall or Spring) are required to Apply Online. An application fee is not required for Readmission.

Academic Advising

Students should contact Yasma Jacobs, Academic Advisor, about advising or if you have not been released to register by the time registration begins. All returning students will be sent an email to their MsState email account during the advising periods with course schedule recommendations and a release to register.

Yasma Jacobs

Geosciences

Academic Advisor

yjacobs@geosci.msstate.edu 662-325-3476 Fax: 662-325-9423

Important Degree Reminders

In order to complete a baccalaureate degree, a student must satisfactorily complete all curriculum requirements with an overall "C" average or better. This applies to both transfer and MSU courses
The B.S. degree in Geosciences can be awarded on the completion of no fewer than 124 semester hours
The university will accept no more than 62 semester hours from a two-year institution (Community College) toward degree requirements. The remaining 62 hours needed for the degree must come from a four-year college
All students must meet the 32-hour MSU residency requirement. This 32 hour upper division residency requirement will be met upon completion of the BOMP curriculum
Basic English, Math, and Intermediate Algebra courses do not satisfy any graduation requirement. They do not fulfill any of the English or Math graduation requirements, nor can they be counted as electives
We do accept some National CLEP and Advanced Placement courses to fulfill degree requirements. Official test scores must be evaluated by MSU's Registrar's Office before credit can be awarded
No more than 25% (31 semester hours) of a student's degree can be earned through Advanced Placement, CLEP, or Correspondence courses (Independent Study). In addition, no more than 20% (25 semester hours) can be earned through correspondence courses (Independent Study) and no more than 15 semester hours can be earned through Advanced Placement examinations
We will accept a maximum of 2, one-hour Physical Education (PE) courses toward degree requirements
We do not accept graduate course work toward undergraduate degree requirements
We do not accept life experience in lieu of degree requirements
For questions concerning degree requirements please contact the Academic Advisor, Yasma Jacobs, at yjacobs@geosci.msstate.edu

Request Evaluation

Any current BOMP student interested in earning a B.S. Degree or certificate through MSU Geosciences Distance Education Department can request an official evaluation by completing and submitting an Evaluation Form.

By completing the Evaluation Form you are requesting to have your file be evaluated for the B.S. degree in Geosciences from MSU. Please know that it is your responsibility to provide MSU with all college/university transcripts in addition to any CCAF (military), or CLEP examination scores before an evaluation can be completed.

*Evaluations will not be completed until all transcripts have been provided