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The Aeronautical Meteorology Forecaster Certificate (AMF) was designed to prepare military weather forecasters to meet the World Meteorological Organization qualification requirements for aeronautical meteorology forecasters.

Program highlights:

  • Satisfy most national or international meteorology requirements, such as those of the National Weather Service or the World Meteorological Organization, by completing advanced meteorological training.
  • Coursework from the AMF curriculum can be applied to the Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Broadcast and Operational Meteorology.
What are some potential careers?

This certificate opens doors to meteorological careers, military careers, aviation forecasting, climate research and more.

Who should pursue this certificate

Those interested in certification by the National Weather Service, American Meteorological Society, and/or World Meteorological Organization should consider this certificate program along with those with experience in military weather training seeking to further develop forecasting skills. And of course, the general weather enthusiast would enjoy this coursework.

For more information on how specific courses are aligned with national or international standards and learning outcomes, please access Certificate Requirements & Seals.

Program Structure

Students must complete each of the following courses with a C or better in order to receive the certificate. GR 1604 Weather and Climate or its equivalent must be completed before enrolling in any of the following classes. It is also required to meet WMO BIP-M qualifications.

Course Number Course Title Hours
GR 4713 Synoptic Meteorology 3
GR 4753 Satellite & Radar Meteorology 3
GR 4473 Numerical Weather 3
GR 4623 Physical Meteorology 3
GR 4443 Weather Prediction I 3
GR 4453 Weather Prediction II 3
GR 4923 Severe Weather 3
GR 4823 Dynamic Meteorology I 3
GR 4933 Dynamic Meteorology II 3
GR 4603 Climatology* 3
GR 4633 Statistical Climatology 3
Total Hours: 33

*May be substituted with GR 4643 – Physical Climatology. Contact the advisor for more information.

Admissions Process

New Admissions

Follow the guidelines below to ensure that you complete all that is necessary for taking courses in the Aeronautical Meteorology Forecaster (AMF) certificate program 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 never attended college; please submit the following:
    • High school transcript showing graduation date.
    • ACT or SAT scores.
  • 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.

NOTE: We recommend that you submit your online application and all necessary documentation (transcript, 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 online orientation in order to be released for registration by their advisor.
  • Contact the Academic Advisor, Yasma Jacobs, at yjacobs@geosci.msstate.edu to determine the courses most appropriate for your individual needs.
  • 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 online courses, enter your NetID and NetPassword and click the classroom tab.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit may be accepted in lieu of AMF Certificate courses offered through the Geosciences Distance Education Programs if the following criteria are met:

  • Courses must be from an accredited institution.
  • Courses must be equivalent to the program's course.
  • Courses must have been taken within the past 5 years.
  • Student must have earned a grade of "B" or better in the course.

To request a waiver for a course please send a copy of your transcript with the courses you wish to have evaluated marked. Transcripts can be faxed to 662.325.9423*, scanned in an email to yjacobs@geosci.msstate.edu or sent to:

Geosciences Distance Education Programs
Attn: Academic Advisor
P.O. Box 5448
Mississippi State, MS 39762

*Please include a cover sheet with your name, phone number, and current email address.

Courses

GR 4443 Weather Prediction I
(Prerequisite: GR 1604 or consent of instructor) Three hours video and online. Examination of the complexity of weather forecasting. Emphasis on numerical weather prediction, computer models, and mesoscale analysis.


GR 4453 Weather Prediction II
(Prerequisite: GR 4443 or consent of instructor) Three hours video and online. Continuation of GR 4443. Case studies of weather forecasts. Emphasis on special weather events and places.


GR 4473 Numerical Weather Prediction
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor) This course provides students with an overview of the theory, processes, developments and applications of existing numerical weather prediction platforms.


GR 4603 Climatology
(Prerequisite: GR 1114 or GR 1123, or equivalent) Three hours lecture. Study of the elements and controls of weather and climate, distribution and characteristics of climatic regions.


GR 4623 Physical Meteorology
(Prerequisite: GR 1604) An investigation of cloud physics/precipitation processes and solar/terrestrial radiation, including atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric electricity, optics, and instrumentation.


GR 4633 Statistical Climatology
(Prerequisites: GR 1604 or GG 1113 or equivalent and MA 1313 or MA 1713) Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. A survey of the types of statistical weather data available. Manipulation of the data on various temporal and spatial scales.


GR 4713 Synoptic Meteorology
(Prerequisites: GR 1604 or equivalent) Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Fundamental principles behind weather forecasting. Physical processes in the atmosphere, atmospheric circulation systems, air mass analysis, frontogenesis and frontolysis.


GR 4753 Satellite & Radar Met
Three hours lecture. Study of the history, the operations, and the applications of satellites and radar in weather analysis. Theory of meteorological measurements in determinations of atmospheric structure.


GR 4823 Dynamic Meteorology I
(Prerequisite: GR 4733/6733) Three hours lecture. In-depth examination of theoretical methods for determining atmospheric stability and the tools necessary to interrogate the vertical profile of the atmosphere.


GR 4923 Severe Weather
(Prerequisite: GR 4913/6913 or equivalent) Three hours lecture. Descriptive study of severe and unusual weather across the earth. Explanation of variations in severe weather in both spatial and temporal scales.


GR 4933 Dynamic Meteorology II
(Prerequisite GR 4823/6823 and MA 2733) Three hours lecture. Quantitative analysis and consideration of atmospheric circulation including jet streams, mid-latitude cyclones, voracity and atmospheric kinetics.

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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 Headshot

Yasma Jacobs

Geosciences

  • Academic Advisor

Professional Requirements and Certificates

Alignment with National and International Standards for Meteorologists

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.

Certificate Request

Students who have completed the 33-hour Aeronautical Meteorology Forecaster (AMF) certificate program must submit the form below to request their certificate. Once requested, we will verify that you have met all program requirements and request that your AMF certificate be printed. Please allow 2 - 3 weeks for your certificate to arrive at the mailing address you provide below.


Contact Information

Photo of Joy Bailey

Joy Bailey

Online Education

  • Coordinator
Headshot of Christa Haney

Dr. Christa Haney

Department of Geosciences

  • Director of Geosciences Distance Learning Programs
Yasma Jacobs Headshot

Yasma Jacobs

Department of Geosciences

  • Academic Advisor

Visit the Department of Geosciences Website for more information!