Applying to the PhD program

The PhD application deadline for the School of the Environment has passed. The SE is no longer taking applications for Fall 2012.

We are recruiting PhD students to be active members of the School of the Environment research, teaching and service activities.

The steps for applying to the program are listed below.  There are two parts to the process: applying to the university via the Office of Graduate Studies, and applying to the School of the Environment.

Before applying, explore the range of research groups foci and faculty expertise.  Identify the faculty or research group(s) that interest you.  Faculty interests and expertise are easiest to get through the departmental websites listings in Geography, Geology and ESM. Please feel free to make preliminary contact with these faculty for more information on their research. If there is one particular faculty person who you want to work with, be sure to make contact and explore the possibility that they would be able to be your advisor.

The departmental application for the ESR PhD goes to the School of the Environment (not to the individual department).

Your application packet should contain:

1. Cover letter
2. Copy of the Department application form (1st copy should be included in the PSU graduate admissions packet, 2nd copy submitted to the School of the Environment)
3. Statement of interest. The statement of interest should be about two pages long, discuss your motivation for pursuing a PhD, and your general area of interest. In this statement, you should identify which research groups or particular faculty you may be interested in working with.
4. CV or resume
5. Copies of transcripts of college and university work (originals go to the university application packet)
6. Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess the your promise as a graduate student (no departmental form is required for this)
7. Official GRE aptitude test scores, taken within the last 5 years (general GRE test is acceptable). The GRE ETS code for Portland State is 4610, and for Environmental Sciences and Resources is 0502.
8. Teaching assistant application

Submit them by mail to:

The School of the Environment
Portland State University
PO Box 751
Portland, OR 97207

Or electronically (pdf format) to: environ@pdx.edu

Or by delivery services (FedEx etc.) to:

The School of the Environment
Portland State University
SRTC 118
1719 SW 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97207-0751 

If you would like some advice or have questions on the application process, please email us at environ@pdx.edu.