Education and Experience: Master’s degree in Earth Science, Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, Physics, Physical Science, Astronomy, or Geoscience or Master’s degree and 18 graduate semester hours in Earth Science, Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, Physics, Physical Science, Astronomy, or Geoscience. Degrees earned in the United States must be conferred by an accredited institution of higher education recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation .