MS in Environmental Sciences

UNCONDITIONAL ADMISSION STATUS

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The following Graduate School admission requirements are minimum standards which identify the pool of applicants from which departments select students to be admitted in a degree program. To be granted unconditional admission status in the Graduate School, applicants must:

• Submit a completed online application for admission and the nonrefundable application fee of $30 for U.S. Applicants, $40 for International Applicants, or $50 for Doctoral Applicants to Graduate School Admissions, along with the required program documents, by the deadline on the department website.
• Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (or its equivalent as determined by the Graduate School).
• Achieved a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale or a 3.00 GPA on the last 60 hours.
• Achieved a minimum 3.00 GPA on any previous graduate courses completed at either Arkansas State University or another accredited university.
• Submitted official transcripts from each college or university as requested by the Graduate School. Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the registrar of other institutions to the office of the Graduate School at Arkansas State University.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION STATUS

An applicant who fails to meet the GPA requirements for Unconditional Admission Status, who lacks the appropriate undergraduate background for a particular degree program, or whose baccalaureate degree is from an unaccredited institution, may be granted conditional admission status after:

• Submission of a completed online application for admission and the designated nonrefundable application fee mentioned above to Graduate School Admissions, along with the required program documents, by the deadline on the department website.
• Submitted official transcripts from each college or university as requested by the Graduate School. Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the registrar of other institutions to the office of the Graduate School at Arkansas State University.
• Achieving a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale or a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours for admission into a graduate program or for admission as a non-degree student.

PROGRAM ADMISSION CRITERIA

Meeting the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School does not necessarily ensure acceptance into a particular graduate degree program. Individual departments may establish requirements for individual degree programs above and beyond the standards for admission to the Graduate School.

M.S. in Environmental Science Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission into the Master of Science in degree program in Environmental Sciences must meet both the admission requirements of Graduate Admissions and the specific program requirements. The Environmental Sciences master’s degree program accepts students with a variety of undergraduate and graduate majors, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Preparation for the required program coursework should include the following courses:

• Mathematics
  • Applied Statistics and Introductory Calculus
• Sciences
  • Three quarters or two semesters in any combination of chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, or atmospheric science
  • At least one semester/quarter must be in chemistry
    
    

Applicants lacking some preparation may still be accepted, but will be required to complete necessary coursework prior to full program entrance, as agreed upon with the Graduate Program Committee.

Potential students must have a sponsoring graduate faculty member within Arkansas State University, who will act as advisor until a thesis topic or practicum is designated. For advisor selection suggestions, contact the program office or go to the departmental web pages to research faculty research interests and then contact them directly and relate your interests.

Applicants are also expected to have a working knowledge of computer systems and software.

 

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UNCONDITIONAL ADMISSION

Academic proficiency must be established through satisfaction of either of the following criteria:

• A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours, or established graduate proficiency.
• Two letters of reference from former professors or associates acquainted with their academic qualifications, as well as a letter of intent from the applicant detailing the nature of their interests and career goals.

 

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International Students

International student applicants must demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language if English is not their native language. They must submit:

• A score of 213 (computer-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, OR
• Must satisfactorily complete Advanced Level II of the university's Center for English as a Second Language program.

 

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ADMISSION MATERIALS CHECKLIST

Applicants to the MS Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences must hold a baccalaureate or master’s degree (BA, BS, MA or MS) from an accredited four-year institution and meet the admission requirements of Graduate Admissions. Applicants should be aware that the breadth of the course work in this program demands that students have a basic background in several disciplines. Preparatory courses for this program may include:

• Mathematics
  • Calculus I, as well as an applied statistics course or second semester Calculus course.
• Chemistry
  • A first and second semester chemistry course sequence.
• Biology
  • A first and second semester biology course sequence.
• Earth Science
  • A first and second semester earth science course sequence.
• Economics
  • An introductory-level economics course.
• Political Science
  • American government, United States history, or world history course.
    
    

Students should contact the Program Director for details regarding course requirements for specific focus areas within the program. Students lacking the appropriate courses for their chosen focus area can be admitted into the program but may be required to complete preparatory course work before enrolling in specific graduate core courses. In some cases, the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Committee may agree to substitute equivalent, documented work experience in the environmental field for specific courses and, in rare cases, other criteria for admission. Contact the Program Director for questions in these matters.

 

Additionally, applicants must submit the following to Graduate Admissions:

• Completed application for admission to the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences.
  • Recommended deadlines are no later than January 15 for the Fall semester, and July 15 for the Spring semester.
  • Forms are available from Graduate Admissions.
• A $30 nonrefundable application fee for the M.S. program.
  • This can be paid online as part of the application or a check can be mailed to the A-State Treasurer’s Office with the applicant’s name and date of birth in the memo line. Checks must be made payable to Arkansas State University. If applications are received without payment, Graduate Admissions will hold all application materials and notify the applicants that no action will be taken until payment is received. International students may utilize a check or an International Postal Money Order to remit payment in U.S. currency.
• One copy of official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework attempted.
  • These must be sent directly from the institution(s) previously attended.
  • Graduate Admissions will compute the graduate GPA by counting all graduate courses completed, including any repeated courses.
• Two letters of recommendation to be reviewed by the Environmental Sciences Program Committee. Acceptance is made by the EVS Program Committee.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for Verbal, Analytical, and Quantitative tests.
  • Verbal: Minimum score of 150.
  • Quantitative: Minimum score of 150.
  • OR a combined score of 1000 for scores that used the old scoring system.
  • Although not required, scores from an advanced test related to Environmental Sciences may increase a candidate's chance for admission.
• Statement of Purpose.
  • In essay form, you must state your reasons for undertaking graduate study in the Environmental Sciences.
  • Describe your qualifications for the academic program and your objectives in undertaking this program.
  • Clearly outline your research interests and how the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences will help attain your goals. We are interested in how your interests would complement those research interests of the faculty.
  • It is strongly encouraged to contact faculty members in Environmental Sciences to see if they would have a position in their laboratory available.
• Resume (C.V.).
  • List all colleges and universities attended; major extracurricular activities and employment (detailing particularly those relevant to your proposed field of study); any honors or prizes awarded; and publications and research projects with which you have been associated.
• A sponsoring graduate faculty member within Arkansas State University.
  • This faculty member will act as an advisor until a thesis topic or practicum is designated.
  • For advisor selection suggestions, contact the program office or go to the departmental webpages to research and contact faculty members that relate to your interests.

1. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION MATERIALS

Closely observe the deadline and required materials set by your graduate program of interest, including any additional documents requested of students who are seeking departmental funding through assistantships or fellowships. Complete the application and fax, e-mail or mail any materials that could not be submitted online to A-State Graduate Admissions.

General documents needed in the application process:

• A completed online application accompanied by the appropriate application fee ($30 for U.S. applicants, $50 for International applicants, $50 for Doctoral applicants), along with the required documents for that specific graduate program. See the program website for specific required documents. (There may be separate application forms for some programs, as noted on the departments' websites.)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended since leaving high school. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the institutions previously attended. If you are a graduate of A-State, we will obtain your transcript for you.
• All students are required to present written documentation of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization. This immunization must have been received after the first birthday and after January 1, 1968.
• Arkansas law requires that, in order to be eligible for enrollment at a public institution of higher learning, a male applicant between the ages of 18 and 25 who is a U.S. citizen must be registered or be exempt from registration with the Selective Service System.
• If a standardized test is required for your major, you may contact the Testing Center at Arkansas State University at (870) 972-2038 for information regarding tests and test dates.

 

2. REVIEW BY THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Once an applicant has submitted all required documents to Graduate Admissions, the admissions committee for that particular academic program will review their applicant file and make their decisions regarding admission.

3. FINAL REVIEW BY THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Once the Graduate School receives the academic program’s admission decision, they email a copy of that Notice of Admission Decision to the applicant, unless the program notifies their applicants directly.

4. ADMISSION

If accepted into the degree program to which you applied, Graduate Admissions will admit you to the University and email you a copy of your Notice of Admission, unless that program notifies their accepted applicants directly. Admitted applicants need to check with their assigned advisor, as noted on their Notice of Admission, in order to be able to register for the semester.