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Washington State University

Admission Process

Please Start Here Before Applying


If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree under the advisement of one of our faculty members, start by visiting their websites and contacting them directly.

We strongly recommend applicants wait to submit their applications and pay the application fee until a department faculty member has encouraged them to do so. 

Our Graduate Studies Committee does not review applications without a confirmed recommendation from a School of the Environment faculty advisor.

SOE faculty advisors wishing to onboard a student for the academic year will need to email Denise.Bickford@wsu.edu to begin the process.

After You’ve Secured a Faculty Advisor


To apply to any of our campus locations, submit your application to the Graduate School at Washington State University (which is located at the Pullman Campus).

School of the Environment Graduate Admission Requirements:

  • A grade point average equivalent to a U.S. grade of “B” (3.0) or better is required
  • BA/BS degree in a related field is recommended (some prerequisite course work may be completed after admissions)
  • The GRE is not currently required.  If the application will not submit with blank boxes, input 999 as a placeholder.
  • International applicants must have official TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores submitted directly to the Graduate School (school code 4705) from the testing services. Check English proficiency requirements for specific test score requirements and exceptions to this requirement.
  • Interested applicants will need to reach out to a potential graduate faculty member before applying to the Graduate School. A list of faculty can be found here. Admission into our graduate program is dependent upon a faculty member’s willingness to act as the student’s advisor in addition to basic academic requirements.

Applicants must submit the completed application form with the required fee. Applications must include a statement of professional goals, official transcripts of previous college work, and provide names, addresses, emails, and positions of three references (for letters of recommendation) supporting your application.

Applications for state/federally funded assistantships (if available) are evaluated starting in late January and continuing on a rolling basis until late July, with the first offers of admission sent around February for Fall admission. Applications for the Spring semester are evaluated starting on October 1, with the first acceptance notifications sent around November 1.

 

Questions about the admission process should be sent to the Graduate Academic Coordinator: Denise.Bickford@wsu.edu.


Featured photos from Geology M.S. graduate Isabelle Rein


 


Frequently Asked Questions


Do I need to find an advisor before applying?

Our graduate program leadership strongly recommends securing a faculty advisor before applying. We only consider applications with confirmed faculty support. 

Feel free to follow up with faculty if you have not received a response within a reasonable amount of time.

Are the GREs required?

At this time, the SOE does not require the GREs.

My GPA is below a 3.0. Am I allowed to apply?

A GPA between 2.75-3.0 may still be considered but would require the support of your faculty advisor, the approval of our Graduate Studies Committee, and review by the WSU Graduate School. However, WSU Graduate School Policy does not permit any applicant with a GPA below 2.75 to be permitted into any WSU graduate program.

My academic background is not in environmental science, natural resources, or geosciences. Can I still apply?

You may still be able to apply to one of our degrees if you have a diverse background. Please reach out to a potential faculty advisor to discuss.

I don’t have a Master of Science. Am I able to apply for a Ph.D. position in your department?

You may be eligible for a Ph.D. without an M.S. depending upon your undergraduate and professional experience. Consult a faculty advisor to see if you might be a good fit for one of our positions.

Can I get my degree remotely?

We do not typically offer remote degrees due to the nature of fieldwork and funding.

I am an international student. Do I need to take an international language test?

Language requirements are set by the WSU Graduate School. We follow their minimum requirements. For more information on graduate international language requirements, please see here: International Requirements | The Graduate School | Washington State University (wsu.edu)

Does the department have any specific guidelines for my Statement of Purpose?

Statements of purpose typically include information about a student’s experience, background, and/or research interests. Otherwise, the department has no specific statement of purpose requirements, leaving room for students to showcase what makes them unique.

I cannot afford the application fee. May I get a waiver?

The application system is managed outside of the department, so we cannot waive fees. However, the WSU Graduate School sometimes offers fee waivers based on economic hardship and background. To inquire about fee waivers, please email gradschool@wsu.edu.