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Program Requirements

Applications are accepted year-around, submitted officially through PSU's College of Graduate Studies. Before applying, students should contact a PSU faculty member(s) or the staff at the Center for the Environment to discuss research interests and possible funding for graduate study. Late fall is typically the peak season for applications, with notification of acceptance status in late winter. However, because funded research opportunities for students may arise throughout the year, students may apply at any time.

Students are recommended for acceptance by a faculty advisor with whom they have developed a professional dialog. This faculty may or may not be the student’s future major research advisor. Final acceptance is by the Graduate School and the Director of the Center for the Environment.

Full-Time Candidates

Full-time candidates will have identified a prospective major faculty advisor before they are fully accepted. In general, the strongest candidates will have:

• have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA,
• acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE; see College of Graduate Studies guidelines or consultant with the Director of the Center for the Environment), and
• have prior work experience.

These are general guidelines for faculty advisors and applicants, and may be waived by faculty members who want to work with a student with whom they have been in communication.

Students may also take courses part-time, up to a maximum of 12 credits, as a means of meeting the criteria for acceptance. Part-time credits can be used in lieu of other criteria as the basis for acceptance as a full-time student (see below).

Full-time graduate students in the Center are eligible to receive a research stipend and fully paid tuition, depending on availability. Student stipends are awarded by faculty members who have research funding, underscoring the importance for students to engage faculty members in their interests and plans.

Extra research-related compensation may also be available in the summer. Contact the Center for information about funding opportunities.

Part-Time Candidates

Part-time students do not have to matriculate until they accumulate 12 credits, at which time their graduate GPA determines eligibility for acceptance. Before acceptance as full-time students, part-time students also must identify a major faculty advisor with whom the student has developed a professional dialog about plans for their MS research. In some instances, part-time students may qualify for a research stipend.

Tuition is set by the Graduate School. Visit their site for current tuition rates, and discuss tuition waivers with prospective faculty advisors.