Introduction

Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary field arising from the interaction of natural and social sciences necessary for understanding human influences on the environment. The Environmental Studies program is designed to allow students to develop skills and the interdisciplinary understanding needed to deal with environmental issues.

All students in the PhD program take a one-year course in Environmental Sciences and Resources (ESR), attend an ESR seminar, and are required to demonstrate a working knowledge of statistics. Each department has its own set of courses, helping the student to complete a comprehensive examination or a series of cumulative examinations. An appropriate course of study is developed by the student and the adviser and is approved by the student's advisory committee. Upon completion of the research and following written presentation of the results, the student must defend the dissertation in an final oral examination.

The program is recommended for students interested in science-related careers in environmental, energy, and resource related fields in government, industry, and educational institutions.

For more comprehensive information about the doctoral program in Environmental Science and Resources please visit the School of the Environment.

Admission Requirements

Application deadline for Fall 2011 is January 15, 2011.  No exceptions are permitted except occasionally for PhD applicants.  Please note that this is a departmental deadline; the application for PSU in general is not the same.

Admission requirements include a science-based baccalaureate degree or equivalent training and evidence of course work in biology, chemistry, geology, physics and mathematics (including calculus). ESM doctoral applicants will only be admitted if an appropriate ESM major advisor (see info regarding this below) has been identified.

An application includes the following components which are forwarded directly to the ESM Office:

1. Letter of application and a statement of educational and career goals
2. Departmental Application Form  (Note: this form is embedded in the general university application packet)
   
3. Resume
4. Copies of transcripts of college and university work
5. Three letters of recommendation (no departmental form is required)
   
6. Graduate Record Examination general test scores
   
7. Teaching Assistant/Graduate Assistantship Application (optional)

Additionally, formal acceptance into the University's graduate program requires students to submit to the Graduate Admissions Office:

1. A PSU graduate application and
2. Official transcripts of all college and university course work

ESM informs the Admissions Office when students are accepted.

Students with deficiencies in particular areas can be admitted as post-baccalaureate students or with departmental conditions which must be satisfied within the first one or two quarters after admission.

Finding a Major Professor

Selecting a major professor to mentor you through your studies at PSU is one of the most vital steps in the graduate school process.  Your major professor will help you plan your courses, guide you with your research, and serve as one of your committee members. If you are applying to the ESM Master of Science (MS) program or to the Environmental Science and Resources Doctoral Program, you cannot be admitted without having found a major professor, so we recommend you begin the search as soon as possible. Although it is not required for the Master of Environmental Management (MEM) degree, applicants are strongly encouraged to find a major professor prior to applying.

You can find a list of ESM faculty and their interest areas under the People tab on our website.  After reviewing the list and identifying who has interest areas similar to your own, you should contact them via email.  Let them know what you are interested in studying and how your interests and their research are related.  It is also good to ask if they know other professors working in your area of interest that you might contact.

When you find professors that you would like to work with, you will probably discuss funding sources.  The ESM Graduate Program has limited funding and very few Teaching Assistantships (TA) or Graduate Assistantships (GA) available.  Most students have funding through their major professor or through private sources.  The Financial Aid office is a good source of information for funding your graduate studies. 

Questions to Consider before Choosing a Major Professor