Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I apply for admission any quarter?
Q. What are the application deadlines for the ESM graduate program?
Q. What are the application deadlines for the Hydrology Certificate program?
Q. What financial aid is available?
Q. How much does a Teaching Assistantship pay?
Q. How much does Research Assistantship pay?
Q. What is the difference between an MEM and MS degree?
Q. What coursework is required for admission to the ESM graduate program?
Q. I don't have all the required courses. Can I still apply?
Q. Can graduate courses taken as a post-baccalaureate student be applied to the graduate program requirements?
Q. What is required in the application package?
Q. What GPA is required for admission to the ESM graduate program?
Q. What GRE score is required?
Q. What is the ESM department code for GRE scores?
Q. Is there a specific GRE test that is required for applying to the program?
Q. Should I submit applications materials separately or in a complete package?
Q. How do I identify a major professor prior to my application to the PhD and MS graduate programs?
Q. How can I learn more about the graduate student experience in ESM at PSU? 

Q. Can I apply for admission any quarter?
A. We only accept applications for fall quarter admission. Under special circumstances a faculty member may request admission of a new student beginning Winter or Spring quarters.

Q. What is the application deadline for the ESM graduate program?
A. The deadline for all graduate applications is February 1. A decision will be made on your application by Spring term.

Q. What are the application deadlines for the Hydrology Certificate Program?
A. Hydrology Certificate applications are accepted twice a year on October 1 and April 1 for winter and summer start dates.

Q. What financial aid is available?
A. We have a limited number of Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) each year. These are very competitive and typically go to students with strong academic records. Individual faculty may also have Research Assistantships and should be contacted directly regarding the availability of support. Applications for assistantships are due February 1 along with your departmental application; the application form is included with the department application form.

Q. How much does a Teaching Assistantship pay?
A. Teaching assistants are variable but include tuition that covers 9 credit hours of course work.

Q. How much does Research Assistantship pay?
A. Pay for Research Assistantships vary by project. They typically include tuition.

Q. What is the difference between an MEM and MS degree?
A. MS students complete lab or field thesis research. MEM students will complete a project with scope and effort similar to a thesis but with more flexibility of topic and design, including in-depth study of an appropriate problem. Typically, MEM students develop a project in consultation with an agency or organization outside the university. All graduate applicants  must arrange to work with a major professor (advisor) before being admitted.

Q. What coursework is required for admission to the ESM graduate program?
A. Students should have academic training sufficient for them to be successful in graduate courses. An adequate background would include the following:
One year of biology (2 semesters or 3 quarters)
One year of chemistry (2 semesters or 3 quarters)
One course in physics
Courses in differential and integral calculus
At least one course in statistics

Q. I don't have all the required courses. Can I still apply?
A. Students with the coursework background outlined above will receive first consideration. Students that lack some of the coursework are advised to take courses as post-baccalaureate students prior to admission. ESM may admit students with deficiencies in some of the background coursework if the application otherwise indicates preparation that will allow the student to succeed in graduate school.

Q. Can graduate courses taken as a post-baccalaureate student be applied to the graduate program requirements?
A. No more than one-third of the required graduate course credits (15 credits in the case of the MS and MEM programs) taken by post-baccalaureate students may be taken prior to admission and transferred into the graduate program.

Q. What is required in the application package for the MS/MEM program?
A. 1. Departmental application form with resume
2. Copies of transcripts of all college coursework
3. Verbal and quantitative GRE scores
4. Statement of education and career goals
5. Three letters of recommendation (no departmental form provided)
6. Teaching Assistantship application (optional)
Additionally, formal acceptance into the University's graduate program requires students to submit to the Admissions Office:
1. A PSU graduate application
2. Official transcripts of all college and university course work.
3. Application fee
See the Graduate Admissions web site for forms and additional requirements: www.pdx.edu/admissions/how-apply-grad.

Q. What GPA is required for admission to the ESM graduate program?
A. A 3.0 in science courses taken prior to application is required. While not a strict requirement, most successful applicants have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Q. What GRE score is required?
A. We have no strict requirement for minimum GRE scores, however, most successful applicants have combined verbal and analytical scores of at least 1100.

Q. What is the ESM department code for GRE and TOEFL scores?
A. 0502

Q. Is there a specific GRE test that is required for applying to the program?
A. No, the general GRE test is acceptable.

Q. Should I submit applications materials separately or in a complete package?
A. If possible, all application materials should be submitted in one package. Letters of recommendation should be submitted in sealed envelopes. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is complete. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please do not submit applications prior to December 1.

Q. How do I identify a major professor prior to my application to the MS/MEM graduate program?
A. The best way to identify a major professor is to communicate directly with faculty that may share your research interests. Information on faculty research interests is given in the "People" section of the ESM web page www.pdx.edu/esm/people. When contacting a potential advisor, it is advisable to send them an email with a brief introduction of yourself and your research interests, accompanied by a resume.

Q. How can I learn more about the graduate student experience in ESM at PSU?
A. You can communicate directly with graduate students currently in the program. Contact the department for graduate student contact information.