Frequently Asked Questions
Admission
Must I have had a long and outstanding career or have previously traveled abroad to be considered?
No. The selection committee is looking for a wide cross-section of people -- different levels of experience, different ages, different backgrounds.
When will I be notified if I'm accepted?
Candidates will be notified by March 15 of our recommendation for admittance.
Do I need a computer or Internet connection?
In addition to the face-to-face component abroad, all students interact via an easy-to-use web platform. So, all students need a valid email address and at least occasional access to the web, either from a computer at home, work, a local library, or some other location. Previous computer experience is not needed. If you are accepted to the GFP, we can help you establish a free email address. Don't let the technological requirements bar you from applying. But remember that you'll need to have access to a computer with Internet capability from one to three hours a week.
Does it matter where I live?
No. Whether you live in Cincinnati, Dallas, Honolulu, Peru or Mongolia your place of residence does not affect whether you are accepted to the program. It does not matter where you live or work. Also, as part of its support of Earth Expeditions, Miami University has waived all out-of-state tuition for Field Expeditions courses.
Do I have to have taken classes at Miami University to apply?
No.
Will age be a factor in the selection process?
No. Miami University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or veterans' status in its education programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies. All GFP applicants will be considered based on their application materials.
Coursework
Can I take the same field course twice (e.g., Kenya two years in a row)?
The GFP will offer an advanced course number for each field site, allowing participants to take up to two courses in the same location during different years. For approval, you will need to submit a letter stating your goals to the GFP Graduate Committee when requesting to your next Field Expedition course. Taking the advance course will require specific educational objectives that clearly show how the opportunity to go to the same country twice will help you advance your program of study.
Can I take more than one Field Expedition during a summer?
No. While you can take the same course twice within the Global Field Master’s Program, you cannot take two Field Expeditions simultaneously. One of the objectives of the GFP is to not only provide content knowledge on inquiry, community-based global conservation and participatory education issues, but to also develop our students as whole people. Through journaling and other means, Field Expeditioners are encouraged to reflect on their experiences at these key conservation sites and, upon returning home, take time to process what they’ve done and learned, internalize these lessons and then incorporate them into a more mindful way of being in the classroom, on the job and in the world generally. This takes time, and each Field Expedition is unique in what you will take from it. Taking one Field Expedition at a time allows the lessons and experiences of that place to settle and become part of who you are in the world
Can I transfer courses from another university/institution?
No.
Transferring a Miami University field course (e.g., Earth Expeditions or other MU field experiences) into the GFP.
Only one previous Miami University field course (up to 7 credit hours) may be transferred toward your master's. For these credits to be considered towards your degree, you must have:
1) been accepted to the master's program.
2) participated in the GFP for at least one semester.
3) received a grade of “B” or better in your field course.
4) taken the course within 5 years of your projected graduation date for the master’s.
5) completed the Dragonfly Master's Course Credit Transfer application form- (available year round; notice of acceptance or transfer requests will be given December 1st and April 1st of each year).Transferring an iDiscovery or a Zoo Expeditions course into the GFP.
Only one previous iDiscovery or Zoo Expeditions course (up to 3 credit hours) may be transferred towards your master's. This course will replace one of the two advanced seminars in the program ( Issues in Biodiversity or Issues in Evolution). Also, for these credits to be considered towards your degree, you must have:
1) been accepted to the master's program.
2) participated in the GFP for at least one semester.
3) received a grade of “B” or better in your transferred course.
4) taken the course within 5 years of the projected graduation date for the master’s.
5) completed the Dragonfly Master's Course Credit Transfer application form- (available year round; notice of acceptance or transfer requests will be given December 1st and April 1st of each year).Note: If you'd like to transfer a Zoo Expeditions (3 credits) and a field course (7 credits) only one course up to a maximum of 7 credits total may be applied towards your master's program.
What if I cannot finish in 2.5 years?
Though students will ideally complete the degree in 2.5 years, they are not limited to this timeframe. However, the GFP must be completed within 5 years, consistent with Miami University Graduate School regulations.
Are there physical requirements?
Field Courses require a moderate amount of walking and similar (not excessive) activity.
Application to the Program
GENERAL
When should I submit my GFP master’s application?
The sooner you get your application in the better. As soon as you know you want to apply to the GFP, go ahead and APPLY! The application deadline is January 28.
What is involved in the application process? How many steps for applying to the GFP master’s?
There are four simple steps. All four must be completed by the application deadline to become an eligible candidate for the GFP master’s.
Grade point average (GPA) and applying for admission to the GFP.
For admission to the Graduate School as a degree candidate with regular standing, you must have earned a grade point average (gpa) of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) at the institution awarding your bachelor’s degree or a 3.0 gpa for the last four semesters (or equivalent) of study for your bachelor’s degree. You must have at least a 3.0 gpa for all graduate work attempted. Undergraduate course work taken after the completion of your bachelor’s degree will not be considered in determining your grade point average. More details.
International applicants please see "more details" link.
GRADUATE SCHOOL application
How do I fill out the Miami University Graduate School Application Form?
Degree Program
In the degree program section; select either MAT or MA.Program of Study
In the program of study section if you select MAT, your program of study is in Biological Sciences, if you select MA, it is Zoology.Enrollment
All participants enrolled in the GFP are part-time study students.Admission Request
You should mark summer and add the appropriate year -2010. Please note that although you are admitted to the GFP master’s program in the summer of the year you apply, the web portion of your Earth Expeditions class actually starts around mid April.Have you previously attended Miami as a student?
If you have taken any graduate class at Miami University (Earth Expeditions, Zoo Expeditions, and iDiscovery, are considered Miami graduate classes) check the YES box.Taking a course for teaching certification
If you have selected the MAT as your degree program, please be aware that our MAT does NOT confer a teaching certification or a licensure. Neither does the MA.Medical History Form
Because you will not be physically coming to Miami University to take a course this requirement is not applicable.
EARTH EXPEDITION application for master's candidates
How should I complete the Earth Expeditions application?
Go to: www.EarthExpeditions.org/application
Complete all questions in the application.
In the first section, check that you are “applying for the GFP.”
Choosing countries
Like all Earth Expeditions participants, we recommend that you also select as many international locations as possible. With a high number of applicants each year, the more choices you list, the more likely it is that you will be placed in a course.In my Earth Expeditions applications, can I choose a country multiple times? You may choose a country multiple times only if you select different sections of the same course. For instance, you can choose Belize I, Belize II and Belize III as your first three choices. However, we recommend that you list at least five choices if possible and all seven are preferred. (Note: By selecting one choice only you may be affecting your chances of going to your desired location.)
Essay questions
If you are a applying for the GFP master’s, your essay questions will be considered part of your application for admittance to our program. Where relevant, please address your essay questions as a GFP applicant. The essay questions are an IMPORTANT component of your application.
Acceptance To The Program
How difficult is it to be accepted to the GFP masters?
Acceptance to the program is based on each applicant’s dossier and the merit of his or her application. The dossier includes: 1) the GFP pre-application, 2) the MU Graduate School application form and transcripts, 3) two electronic letters of recommendations, and 4) the Earth Expeditions application form which includes two essays related to the master’s degree and an applicant’s CV/resume.
For FAQs on the Earth Expeditions program, please visit: www.EarthExpeditions.org/faqs/
Transcripts
Transcripts tend to take longer to arrive since they require your undergraduate/graduate institution to send formal copies via regular mail to our Graduate School office. Please make sure that your institution sends all required transcripts. You will need a transcript for each degree and/or stand alone course you claim you have taken and completed in your MU Graduate School application form. Failure to receive your transcripts on time might affect your application to the program. Follow up with your institution to make sure they have submitted your transcripts in a timely manner.
Requirements
Do I need to take the GRE?
No. You don’t need to take the GRE.
Do I need letters of recommendation?
Yes. There are two letter of recommendations required. They should be completed online. Link
I have not taken any biology courses to date. Will this affect my application?
No. It is okay if you have not taken an undergraduate biology course (or equivalent). This will not affect your application/acceptance to our GFP master’s. All applicants, regardless of their academic background will be considered. However, one college-level science course (e.g., general biology, general ecology, etc) is required to complete the GFP master’s. If accepted, you could enroll in a science course before or during your GFP master's and fulfill this requirement. For more information about this requirement visit the GFP Program Details. Link
Costs
Will costs remain the same throughout my GFP master’s experience?
Costs are subject to change, but we endeavor to keep costs down for all participants.
How will costs vary if I am an out-of-state or international participant?
The GFP carries the same tuition rate for out-of-state and international participants as it does for in-state participants.
Will I be able to apply for student loans while a GFP student? Can I defer my existing student loans?
To qualify for federal student loans and to defer federal student loans, a student must be enrolled half-time (at least six credit hours) in an academic term. Under the current GFP credit-hour configuration, first-year GFP students register for 7 hours in the summer, 2 hours in the fall, and 4 hours in the spring -- enough credit hours for a student to be enrolled half-time for part of the year, but not enough credit hours to maintain half-time status for the entire academic year. Here are the current financial aid options available to GFP students:
* During the summer when GFP students enroll in a 7-credit hour course, they can apply for a federal student loan by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is possible that they may be granted a federal loan in an amount that would cover most expenses for the 2.5- to 3-year GFP program. Also, at any time during the GFP experience, any student may apply for loans from private financial institutions. More information can be found at www.muohio.edu/loans.
* All students who take out federal student loans qualify for only one six-month deferment for each particular loan. GFP students who have not previously used their one-time, six-month deferment are able to defer federal loans beginning in the summer that they are enrolled in a 7-hour course. Students are not currently able to defer loans for the entirety of the 2.5- to 3-year GFP program. GFP students who have already used their six-month grace period would only be eligible for another six-month grace period on any new loans that have been borrowed.
Miscellaneous
What is a "Web-based Learning Community"?
As a feature of this program, students join the MA/MAT team and instructors in Dragonfly Workshops' Web-base Learning Communities. For an overview of the web platform, visit www.DragonflyWorkshops.org.
Does the MAT degree also include a teaching licensure?
No. The MAT in Biological Science degree is designed for teachers who are already licensed to teach. The MAT does not confer a teaching licensure.
Who is teaching the MA/MAT courses?
Brief biographies about each of our core faculty members teaching the summer Field Expeditions are available online. Link
Additionally, faculty, mentors and facilitators from premier institutions in the United States and abroad support GFP students thought their coursework and the development of their Master Plans.
Will this Earth Expeditions class count toward my teaching licensure/certification?
It depends. Each state has different requirements for certification. Please check with your local university's College of Education or similar department to find out the details for your area.
What are the major differences between AIP, GFP and ISP?
The following chart provides a quick overview of the major differences between the three programs (PDF). For more specific details please refer to each program's individual site.