projectdragonfly.orgProject Dragonfly Graduate Program | Master's Degrees in Biology | Miami University

Universal Utility LinksTop Destinations myMiami News and Events Pay My Bill One Stop Libraries Connect Sitewide links Project Dragonfly Apply to Dragonfly Advanced Inquiry Program Global Field Program Earth Expeditions Professional Development Courses In Support of DEI News and Media Meet the Team About Dragonfly Project Dragonfly Join a community of people working to ignite ecological and social change. Through innovative courses and fully accredited master’s degree programs, Project Dragonfly combines the flexibility of online courses and conservation action in your home community with unparalleled experiential learning and field study in the U.S. and across the world. Apply Now Request Information Loading... Dragonfly at a Glance 3000+ students, staff, and alumni making a difference globally 450+ publications authored by Dragonfly students 24+ long-term relationships with world-class zoos, botanical gardens, and NGOs globally 25+ years of experience making education more inclusive and impactful Welcome to Project Dragonfly Housed at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Project Dragonfly is a transformative education initiative with master’s degree programs in biology, graduate courses, learning media, public exhibits, and community partnerships across the U.S. and globally. With three programs to choose from, students can tailor their learning experience to their overall goals and interests. Our graduate students are opening new frontiers in community innovation and education while earning their master’s degrees. They work alongside nomadic herders saving wild horses in Mongolia, citizen scientists increasing pollinator diversity in the Bronx, Maasai women pursuing equity and sustainability in Kenya, and conservationists leading the recovery of burrowing owls in California. We champion inquiry-driven learning and shared action to support a better, more collaborative, just, and sustainable future. Check out our 2023 Photo Contest Winners In earning a Miami University master’s degree through Project Dragonfly, you will: Take coursework for your degree part-time while you work full-time Earn your degree in as little as 2.5 years Invest in a reasonably priced master’s - the program is highly subsidized Network and engage with future leaders in conservation Interact with some of the world’s most renowned zoos, botanical gardens, and conservation organizations Take Earth Expeditions courses that include travel to global conservation hotspots Join Miami alumni in gaining an accredited degree from one of the U.S.’s oldest Public Ivy League schools Earn a Master’s of Arts (M.A.) in biology Earn a Master’s of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in the biological sciences All undergraduate degrees from any background are welcome. Let us know you are interested! I’m Interested Our Programs Advanced Inquiry Program The Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) is an accredited a master’s degree program that fosters professional leadership, participatory education, sustainability, and conservation in the U.S. AIP students combine online courses from Miami University with extraordinary learning experiences and field study at premier zoos and botanical gardens in select communities across the nation. Global Field Program The Global Field Program (GFP) is a master’s degree program that enables students to build on Earth Expeditions courses to grow as leaders in inquiry-driven education, community-engaged learning, ecological sustainability, environmental stewardship, and global understanding. The GFP combines online classes with courses that bring students, scientists, educators, community leaders, and others together at global conservation hotspots. Earth Expeditions Earth Expeditions are stand-alone education and conservation-focused graduate courses in which students travel the globe to join world-class conservation and community projects in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Our mission is to build an alliance of individuals with first-hand knowledge of inquiry-driven, community-based learning for the benefit of ecological communities and global understanding. Is This Program for Me? We had some questions and wanted to see what our current students and alums had to say. Click on the questions below to see their answers! How have students funded their participation? What kinds of funding sources are available? Believe it or not, I have been ‘pay-as-I-go.’ ” – Jennifer H., GFP student from Longwood, Fla. Check to see if your employer offers tuition reimbursement. I was lucky in that my employer offered $3,500 per year for graduate school. That was more than enough to cover each year of the AIP program.” – Amy T., AIP graduate from Goshen, Ohio I was able to pay as I went. I charged the tuition, which I found reasonable, and then worked hard to pay it off before the next semester. The cost is drastically reduced. I did not have a single loan. Also, I was able to write it off on my taxes.” – Perky S., GFP graduate from Dover, Idaho With reduced fees as part of Miami University’s support for this program, each master’s course is offered at a fraction of actual costs. But we know students sometimes need additional help! Check out our Helping Fund Your Degree .” – Project Dragonfly I have so many job and family responsibilities. How will I find time to add graduate studies? I started the AIP master’s eight months pregnant and also had a 3- and a 2-year-old and was a full-time teacher. When you find something you love and are passionate about, you make it work. I graduated this past December and loved everything the AIP master’s taught me. … It is a worthwhile program and gears toward your individual passions!” – Adrienne C., AIP graduate from Cleveland, Ohio (replying to Adrienne C.) I just graduated from the GFP master’s and think you hit on the most important aspect of the work load. If you’re enrolling in a program like this, the chances are you’re incredibly passionate about what you’re studying. While the workload can become heavy at times on top of other responsibilities, that passion definitely keeps driving you. That and the support of a great community filled with other people who share your passion.” – Mike R., GFP graduate from Fair Lawn, N.J. I found that the course work provided an escape from the day-to-day demands of my job as a teacher. I looked forward to losing myself in my courses. They were almost like therapy. I looked at the summer Earth Expeditions courses as not only academic growth but personal growth, as well. I learned so much about myself and gained confidence that I never would have found had it not been for this program. It is amazing how much the program becomes a part of your life. … I could not picture my life without Project Dragonfly.” – Leah C., GFP graduate from Batesville, Ind. (replying to Leah C.) Great post, Leah – I, too, found it an escape into another professional life to talk science with peers not high school students. Nice to hear the perspectives of other formal and informal educators – I think we respect each other’s jobs more as well.” – Kimberly L., GFP graduate from Jackson, Ohio There are many grad programs out there (physical and online) but how many can CHANGE your life? This one will. There is not a week (or sometimes day) that goes by where I don’t reference (verbally or in the quiet of my mind) the wonderful experiences I’ve had and friendships I’ve made because of this program. Time management is key to survival, but that is with any program you will undertake. Mine was 9-11:30 pm most nights + some weekend time after all other things were done (job, grading, kids, family, exercise, etc). It is not meant to be easy. Life is work.” – Kimberly L., GFP graduate from Jackson, Ohio I held down two part-time jobs and one full-time job while I was an AIP student. The biggest factors in my success were the support of the folks in my cohort and the support of our advisor. Outside of that group, however, the entire Dragonfly...