College of Education

Admissions | Sustainable Food Systems

Admissions Timeline
Program StartFallWinterSpringSummer
*Priority Application Deadline:----January 15--
Final Application DeadlineAugust 15November 15February 15May 15

*If you submit by our priority deadline, you will have access to our scholarship application, which is due by February 1st.

Admissions requirements

  • Possess a degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for any undergraduate and/or graduate coursework
  • International students: have an official TOEFL score report sent directly to PSU Office of Admission from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), mailed to:
    • PSU Office of Admissions and Records
      PO Box 751
      Portland, OR 97207

Required application materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your online application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

  • Unofficial Transcripts: from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and from any institution at which you have earned graduate-level credit
  • Official Transcripts: After you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts to the Graduate School
  • English Language Proficiency: Automatically assessed in your application materials. Learn more about your options for proving proficiency.
  • Statement of Purpose: Describe why you are applying to PSU's Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems, including: (a) scholarly interest in the program; (b) how it will advance your academic, personal and/or professional goals; and (c) what you hope to gain from the program. Note: We recommend reviewing the certificate's learning outcomes and considering them in your response. (500 word limit)

Admissions Review Process

We review your application for the following:

  • Academic requirements: Via your transcripts, we assess whether you meet the program requirements as well as the university’s minimum admissions requirements.
  • Statement of purpose: Essays will be reviewed in terms of your scholarly interest in the program, the connection between your academic, personal and/or professional goals and our program, and your ability to communicate.

Questions? Please connect with Stefanie Randol.

Admissions instructions

  1. Review the PSU Graduate School’s minimum admissions requirements.
  2. Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
  3. Select "Start New Application"
  4. Then select "Graduate Application"
  5. For the college, select "College of Education"
  6. For the program of study, select "Educational Leadership: Sustainable Food Systems, Graduate Certificate"
  7. Select the term you plan to start the program.

To validate your admission you must take a course during the term in which you have requested to be admitted. Should you not take a course in that term, your application will be cancelled and you will need to reapply to the next cohort.