Application Process for the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program

Graduate application

Applications are accepted on a rolling admission for each term until 30 days before the start of the term. Please check the university academic calendar for term start dates

For fall term enrollment, applications that are RECEIVED by January 15 have a greater chance for funding opportunities.

To apply, please follow the directions on OSU's graduate education admissions page.

GRE scores

GRE scores are not required.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts can be added to your online application. We will contact you for official copies if they are necessary. 

International students

Please review the information for international students on the Office of Graduate Education's website. 

Letters of reference

We require three letters of recommendation. You will enter the contact information of your reference writers on the online application. Letters should come from academic or professional contacts that have had enough experience working with the applicant to evaluate the individual’s ability to be successful in a graduate program. Letters from personal references are usually not acceptable.

Statement of objectives

The statement of academic and career objectives is perhaps an important requirement for your application since it helps us to know who you are and what you would like to achieve with your degree. Please keep your statement to no more than 700 words. A cover letter may be uploaded as an alternative.

In your statement or cover letter, please include:

• A brief description of your relatable academic and professional experience.

• Why you are interested in pursuing graduate studies in Environmental Sciences at Oregon State University.

• Which area(s) of concentration are most aligned with your objectives and goals.

• Describe your career goals and your ideal job.

CV or resumé

Please upload a current CV or resumé to your application.

Prerequisites

There are no specific requirements for our program since students have many choices to concentrate their studies. Finding a major professor early in the application process is important so you can discuss your background. This discussion is sometimes the longest part of the application process. Previous scientific training or professional experience is recommended though not required, and varies by concentration.

Finding a major professor

Finding a major professor is a primary requirement for admission to the program for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, and often the reason that applicants are not admitted. Prospective PSM students do not need to find a major professor for admission.

Start early and be persistent. Find faculty that share your interests, study their most recent publications and explore their future research goals. The Environmental Sciences Graduate Program allows tremendous flexibility to explore a broad range of classes and topics, so our students can work with ANY professor and even affiliated professionals in the community.

We have a list of professors that have worked with our students before, but applicants should not feel limited to this list. Remember, our students can work with individuals in any department.

Our office staff is not able to stay up-to-date with the current research projects of every professor in the university. It is the applicant's responsibility to identify and contact professors with whom they would like to work.

Keep in mind that this search can take a long time. Once your completed application has been received by OSU graduate admissions, we will email the professor(s) listed on your application with access information to view your application. This email is rarely enough to secure a major professor, which is why applicants must contact professors directly via email, phone, mail, or personal contact. When you find professors that are interested in working with you, they can contact our office by email to gain access to your application online.

Learn more about the responsibilities of your major professor »