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Graduate Programs

Admissions

ESP's graduate admissions requirements are located on the degrees webpage.

Potential graduate students should use Mason's on-line application to apply for graduate admission. Please note that international students should also complete the International Student Information Forms. Click here to apply online.

The deadline for fall enrollment for all graduate applications (including PhD) is Feb. 15 for fall enrollment. The deadline for spring enrollment (MS degree only) is Oct. 1.

There is no spring enrollment for doctoral students.

  • How does ESP evaluate my application? [top]

The number of qualified applicants applying for admission into Environmental Science and Policy’s graduate programs has increased significantly in recent years. As such, admission has become more competitive. Stronger applicants demonstrate a solid academic foundation, typically have GRE scores (verbal/quantitative) of at least 1100, provide persuasive recommendation letters in support for their applications, and generally have prior work experience.

With the exception of the Masters in Environmental Management, ESP graduate degrees require either a master’s thesis or dissertation. The most successful graduate candidates express their preparation to engage in research and to apply it to the outside world. These individuals have reviewed the research of ESP faculty, and identified particular areas of ongoing study that are of mutual interest. Prior to submitting their application, candidates should discuss their interests with ESP faculty, secure an academic advisor, and describe these connections in their personal statement.

  • FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS [top]

Foundation work may be required provisionally or before being admitted to either the MS or PhD Graduate Programs for those students with social science or other non-natural science backgrounds seeking a degree and career in Environmental Science and Policy. These courses may be required IN ADDITION to any other degree requirements in the department and will be excluded from your degree audit upon graduation.

EVPP 506 – Science of the Environment I - First in a 2-semester sequence. This course provides a foundation in environmental chemistry for graduate students with social sciences or other non natural science backgrounds seeking a degree and career in environmental science and policy. (A sequence of 2 undergraduate courses in chemistry will also satisfy this requirement.)

EVPP 507 – Science of the Environment II - Second in a 2-semester sequence. This course provides a foundation in environmental biology for graduate students with social sciences or other non natural science backgrounds seeking a degree and career in environmental science and policy. (A sequence of 2 undergraduate courses in biology will also satisfy this requirement.)

EVPP 607 – Fundamentals of Ecology - Restricted to graduate students with little or no background in ecology. (Students who have taken BIOL 307 or the equivalent elsewhere are ineligible for this course).

  • Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Admissions [top]

Q: If I have missed the application deadline for the degree program, can I still take classes?
 A: You can still take graduate level classes as part of Extended Studies Nondegree Program. Should you be admitted at a later date, you can ask to transfer those credits into your degree program.

Q: Do I have to have an advisor to gain admission?
A: Yes. Prospective students should contact potential faculty advisors appropriate to their interests. The availability of an advisor in the student's area of interest is an important criterion for admission.

Q: How do I look for an advisor?
A: Review the individual faculty pages of the Environmental Science and Policy department for specific research areas and identify mutual interests by evaluating the ongoing study and published work of ESP faculty. Once you have identified several common interests, contact the faculty member directly to discuss your graduate application and the potential of them serving as your graduate advisor.

Q: Do I have to have a MS to apply for the PhD degree?
A: No. An M.S. is not mandatory to apply for the PhD, although it does strengthen your application.

Q: If I have a M.S., how many credits are awarded for the PhD?
A: If the M.S. is in a similar area of study, you may be eligible for a reduction of credit of up to 30 hours.

Q: What if I have an M.S. and additional graduate credits from another institution?
A: In order to receive a degree from GMU, you must complete a minimum of 39 new credit hours in the degree program to which you are accepted.

Q: Can I pursue an M.S. or Ph.D. on a part-time basis?
A: Environmental Science and Policy encourages full-time and part-time students, in addition to professionally-oriented, academically-oriented, traditional, and returning students.

Q: I have a degree but have limited science background. Can I still apply for a graduate degree?
A: You can still be a candidate for admission, but will be asked to take prerequisite courses in chemistry and/or biology including ecology.

Q: How does evaluate my application?
A: The number of qualified applicants applying for admission into Environmental Science and Policy’s graduate programs has increased significantly in recent years. As such, admission has become more competitive. Stronger applicants demonstrate a solid academic foundation, typically have GRE scores (verbal/quantitative) of at least 1100, provide persuasive recommendation letters in support for their applications, and generally have prior work experience.

With the exception of the Masters in Environmental Management, ESP graduate degrees require either a master’s thesis or dissertation. The most successful graduate candidates therefore expresses their preparation to engage in research and to apply it to the outside world. These individuals have reviewed the research of ESP faculty, and identified particular areas of ongoing study that are of mutual interest. Prior to submitting their application, candidates should discuss their interests with ESP faculty, secure an academic advisor, and describe these connections in their personal statement.

Q: Can the GRE be waived?
A: NO, the GRE is now required of all applicants.

Q: Can I apply for a teaching assistantship?
A: While limited in number, ESP offers several teaching opportunities (in areas of biology, ecology, and geology disciplines) to qualified graduate students. The deadline for TA applications is the third week of April. Download the Teaching Assistantship Application.

Q: What other financial assistance opportunities exist in Environmental Science and Policy?
A: For additional information about the numerous ways in which graduate students can fund their education, including fellowships and grants, please visit ESP's Student Resources and Financial Aid link.