Climate Hazards Certificate

Get Started on Your Certificate Today!

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Climate Hazards equips you with the essential knowledge and skills to tackle the pressing environmental challenges of our time. This dynamic program offers a thorough exploration of climate processes, and related hazards, widespread impacts, and innovative strategies for both mitigation and fostering community resilience.
Tailored for individuals passionate about addressing climate change, this certificate is ideal for those pursuing careers in parks and recreation, K-12 education, environmental consulting, water and natural resource management, and roles within government agencies such as environmental and natural resources management departments.
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.
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.

Program Highlights

In-state tuition for all students.
Completely online.
15 credit hours (5 courses)
All courses offered at the Graduate level
Application Deadlines:
- Fall semester – August 1
- Spring semester – December 1
- Summer semester - May 1

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour	$558.50
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.

Program Structure

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.

Major Required Courses (15 Hours)

Course Number	Title	Credit Hours
GR 8633	Climate Change	3
GR 6643	Physical Meteorology and Climatology I	3
GR 6613	Applied Climatology	3
GR 8833	Weather and Society	3
GR 8813	Advanced Hazards and Disasters	3

Courses

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.

Admissions Process

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

Fall Semester – August 1
Spring Semester – December 1
Summer semester - May 1

Graduate Admissions

Submit an online application. You will choose Climate Hazard Certificate as your program of interest and Online Education as your campus.
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students. Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.

Attention International Students

International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score greater than 550. Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog. Questions regarding international applications can be addressed to the Office of the Graduate School at gradapps@grad.msstate.edu.

ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. If you have taken the TOEFL within 5 yrs of the semester in which you plan to enroll, and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, MSU will accept your previous TOEFL test scores.

Academic Advising

Upon gaining admission to the university, you must contact your academic advisor to determine the courses most appropriate to take. Before the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU email account, making course recommendations based on your program of study.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.