Climate Hazards Certificate

Program Highlights

Climate hazards are among the most pressing global challenges, and this program prepares you to respond with expertise and confidence. You'll gain a solid understanding of the scientific principles behind climate systems, their environmental and societal effects, and practical solutions to mitigate these issues.

In-State Tuition for All: Students both in and out of state only pay In-State tuition rates.
Fully Online: All courses are 100% online, making them accessible from anywhere in Mississippi and beyond.

Respected Degree from an Accredited University: Earn your degree from Mississippi State University, a nationally recognized research institution and leader in online education.
Flexible Schedule: Courses are delivered asynchronously to accommodate work and life schedules.

Career Opportunities

While this certificate does not prepare you to become a climatologist or earn professional endorsements from organizations like the American Meteorological Society, it offers a valuable opportunity to deepen your expertise and integrate climate-focused knowledge into your professional career. This certificate could help graduates begin careers in positions such as:

Climate Risk Analyst
Environmental Consultant
Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist

Sustainability Coordinator
Emergency Management Planner
Climate Policy Advisor

Degree Requirements

The Climate Hazards certificate consists of 15 credit hours. To be awarded the certificate, students must complete all five program courses with a grade of B or higher.

GR 6613 Applied Climatology: 3 hours. (Prerequisites: GR 1603) Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Problem-solving in today's world in topics such as bioclimatology, agricultural climatology, and land use climatology.
GR 6643 Physical Meteorology and Climatology I: 3 hours. (Prerequisite: GR 1604 and MA 1323). Three hours lecture. An investigation of the physical aspects of Earth’s climate, including interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and land surface, and how they are affected by climate variability and change.
GR 8633 Climate Change: 3 hours. Three hours lecture. In-depth examination of changes in earth’s climate through time. Focus is placed on the causes, measurement, implications, and complexity of climate change.
GR 8813 Advanced Hazards and Disasters: 3 hours. Three hours lecture. Advanced study of the processes, distribution, and impacts of hazards and disasters.
GR 8833 Weather and Society: 3 hours. Three hours lecture. Study of the role of weather in and on society through readings, discussion, and research.

Commonly Asked Questions

Will the diploma say it was earned online?

No, diplomas from Mississippi State University do not show whether the requirements were met through online or in-person courses

Admissions

Ready to advance your education with a flexible, fully online certificate in climate hazards? Follow the steps below to apply for the Climate Hazards Certificate at Mississippi State University.

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the results of either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Prospective students should contact ETS (TOEFL) or IELTS for testing information. The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English Language test score requirements.

TOEFL Essentials	TOEFL iBT	IELTS	Admission Eligibility	Outcome
9 and above	79 and above	6.5 and above	Eligible for admission for any term and a graduate assistantship	Considered proficient in English. Applicant is not required to enroll in an ESL course unless his/her academic program requires a higher test score.
8.0-8.5	69-78	6.0-6.4	Eligible for admission for Fall, Spring, or Summer and a graduate assistantship.	Scores indicate a need for assistance in English writing, research, and editing skills. Applicant must enroll in EAP 5323 Academic Research and Writing. Student may enroll in up to 6 credit hours in his/her graduate program.
7.0-7.5	61-68	5.5-5.9	Eligible for admission for the Fall & Spring terms only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met.	Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5120, a 9-hour intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student must complete this course prior to registering for courses in his/her graduate program. The student must then enroll in EAP 5323.
6.0-6.5	54-60	4.6-5.4	Eligible for admission for the Fall term only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met.	Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5110, an intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student cannot enroll in courses in his/her program until ESL 5110 and ESL 5120 have been successfully completed. The student must then complete ESL 5120 before proceeding to enroll in EAP 5323.
5.5 and below	53 and below	4.5 and below	Not eligible for admission to the Graduate School.	Applicant can enroll in the English Language Institute on a non-credit basis after which he/she can retake the English-language test in preparation for submitting another application to graduate study at MSU.

Academic Advising

Advising is an essential part of your success in the Climate Hazards Certificate program. Whether you're just getting started or preparing to graduate, your dedicated academic advisor is here to guide you every step of the way.

Yasma Jacobs

Geosciences

Academic Advisor

yjacobs@geosci.msstate.edu

662-325-3476

Meet Your Academic Advisor

Yasma Jacobs provides personalized advising for all students in the Addiction Counseling Certificate program. From choosing the right courses to planning your path to graduation, she’s here to support you throughout your academic journey.

Advising Guidelines

Mississippi State University relies on email as its official means of communication for all MSU students.
Check your MSU email daily for important updates. Find instructions for setting up your MSU online on the student services website.

Contact Us

Catrinia Anthony

Program Entry Navigator

General Program Questions

Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements

c.anthony@msstate.edu

662-325-1742

Joy Bailey

Retention & Engagement Coach

Current Student Inquires

Academic & Support Services Assistance

joy.bailey@msstate.edu

662-325-9684

Yasma Jacobs Ross

Geosciences

Academic Advisor

yjacobs@geosci.msstate.edu

662-325-3476

Tuition & Fees

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Advance Your Career with a Certificate from Mississippi State

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