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 AMF 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.
Federal Government (e.g.NWS)
Degree: Meteorology, Atmospheric Science or other natural science major that included at least 24 semester hours in meteorology/atmospheric science including:
| Federal Requirement | MSU Course |
|---|---|
| 6 semester hours in Atmospheric Dynamics (requires calculus pre or corequisite). | Met with GR 4823/6823 and GR 4933/6933 Dynamic Meteorology I and II |
| 6 semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale). | Met with GR 4443 and GR 4453 Weather Prediction I and II (NOTE: While this meets the minimum requirements, students should also complete a synoptic meteorology course GR 4713 or 4733/6733, and a mesoscale course GR 4923/6923 or GR 4963/6963) |
| 3 semester hours of physical meteorology. | GR 4623 Physical Meteorology |
| 2 semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation. | GR 4753/6753 Satellite and Radar Meteorology |
At least 9 semester hours of course work for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following:
|
Met through a number of geoscience classes including:
|
| 6 semester hours of physics with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions (requires calculus pre or co-requisite) 3 semester hours of ordinary differential equations. |
Must be taken through Mathematics and Physics Departments |
(See Jetstream – Online School for Weather for more information)
WMO BIP-M Topics in Atmospheric Sciences
| WMO Learning Outcomes | MSU Courses That Address It |
|---|---|
| 2.3.1.1 Atmospheric composition, radiation and optical phenomena | Met with combination of:
|
| 2.3.1.2 Thermodynamics and cloud physics | Met with combination of:
|
| 2.3.1.3 Boundary layer meteorology and micrometeorology | Partially Met (88%) with:
NOTE: Content on Turbulent flow not met in above classes can be acquired in COMET module on Forecasting Mountain Wave Turbulence. |
| 2.3.1.4 Conventional observations and instrumentation | Partially Met (96%) with combination of:
|
| 2.3.1.5 Remote sensing | GR 4753/6753 Satellite and Radar Meteorology |
| 2.3.2.1 Atmospheric dynamics | GR 4933/6933 Dynamic Meteorology II |
| 2.3.2.2 Numerical weather prediction | GR 4473/6473 Numerical Weather Prediction |
| 2.3.3.1 Mid-latitude and polar weather systems | Met with combination of:
|
| 2.3.3.2 Tropical weather systems | Met with GR 4923/6923 Severe Weather or GR 4943/6943 Tropical Meteorology |
| 2.3.3.3 Mesoscale weather systems | Met with combination of:
NOTE: These classes may be substituted for GR 4713 Synoptic Meteorology and GR 4923 Severe Weather. Partially met (75%) with GR 4923/6923 Severe Weather |
| 2.3.3.4 Weather observing, analysis and diagnosis | Partially Met (88%) with:
|
| 2.3.3.5 Weather forecasting | GR 4443/4453 Weather Prediction I and II |
| 2.3.3.6 Service delivery | Met with a combination of:
|
| 2.3.4.1 Global circulation, climate and climate services | Met with:
|
| 2.3.4.2 Climate variability and climate change | Met with:
|
| 2.2 Foundation topics in mathematics, physics and complementary subjects | WMO requires coursework in
WMO also requires complementary subject knowledge including basic-level understanding in Oceanography, Hydrology, Geography, Ecology
Basic-level understanding of
All classes except Math and Physics can be taken online through the Department of Geosciences. |
See the Manual on the Implementation of Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology, Vol 1 - Meteorology for the full education and training standards publication.
American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist
| 1) 24 hours in atmospheric science including: | |
| a. 12 hours with calculus as pre- or co-req | |
| Atmospherics Thermodynamics | GR 4823/6823 Dynamic Meteorology I |
| Dynamics | GR 4933/6933 Dynamic Meteorology II |
| Synoptic Meteorology | GR 4733/6733 Synoptic Meteorology* |
| Mesoscale Meteorology | GR 4963/6963 Mesoscale Meteorology* |
| b. 3 hours atmospheric physics | GR 4623 Physical Meteorology |
| c. 3 hours atmospheric measurements or instrumentation | GR 4753/6753 Satellite/Radar |
| d. 3 hours specialty topics | GR 4443, 4453 Weather Prediction I or II |
| GR 4613 Applied Climatology | |
| GR 4943/6943 Tropical Met | |
| GR 8133, 8143 Foundations of Forecasting/Advanced Forecasting | |
| e. 3 hours of a synthesizing experience | GR 4640 Internship |
| GG 4333 Geowriting | |
| GR 8573 Research in Applied Met | |
| 2) At least 3 semesters of Calculus | Must be taken through Department of Mathematics |
| 3) 1 Calculus based Physics course with a lab | Must be taken through Physics Department |
| 4) A course covering Earth's climate system | GR 4643 Physical Climatology |
| 5) A course with a multi-disciplinary and/or integrative approach to an environmental topic, such as a course on climate change | Many of our courses meet this requirement |
| 6) Computer science/programming, statistics, writing or oral communication | GIS classes, Statistical Climatology, Geowriting |
*GR 4713 Synoptic Meteorology I can be substituted with GR 4733 Synoptic Meteorology, and GR 4923 Severe Weather can be substituted with GR 4963 Mesoscale Meteorology in any online geosciences program.
See the American Meteorological Society for AMS CBM requirements.
National Weather Association Seal of Approval
The BOMP Certificate Program was developed with the aid of the National Weather Association. Their Seal of Approval requires a written test in meteorology and the evaluation of your on-air video tape. In addition, the applicant must be a full member in good standing with the NWA, be currently employed as a commercial on-air weathercaster, and have 2 years full-time or 3-years part-time experience. If you have successfully completed the BOMP curriculum, you should be prepared to do well on the NWA Seal of Approval written exam. For more information about the NWA Seal of Approval, go to the NWA Home Page.
