Environmental Science

The Environmental Science Master’s degree is intended to provide students with an interdisciplinary, applications-oriented education in environmental science. Through classroom instruction and independent research, graduates will have the scientific background to address current and future environmental problems. 

Apply online through the WSU Graduate School. 

To be considered for admission, a student must have: 

• A grade point average equivalent to a U.S. grade of “B” (3.0) or better 
• BA/BS degree in a related field (some prerequisite course work may be completed after admissions) 

• International applicants must have official TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores submitted directly to the Graduate School (school code 4705) from the testing services. Check English proficiency requirements for specific test score requirements and exceptions to this requirement 

Admission into the graduate program is dependent upon a faculty member’s willingness to act as the student’s advisor in addition to basic academic requirements.

The M.S. degree requires coursework, research credits, and development of a research project. The coursework will be chosen and research project developed in consultation with the student’s advisor and advisory committee. Students may choose from a non-thesis or a thesis option.

Specific program requirements. 

The Ph.D. program in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences provides opportunities for doctoral study that involve integration and interaction among these various fields of science. The cooperation of WSU’s faculties in environmental and natural resource sciences in this program foster important exchanges of knowledge that greatly enhance interdisciplinary education. 

Apply online through the WSU Graduate School. 

To be considered for admission, a student must have: 

• A grade point average equivalent to a U.S. grade of “B” (3.0) or better 
• BA/BS degree in a related field (some prerequisite course work may be completed after admissions) 
• International applicants must have official TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores submitted directly to the Graduate School (school code 4705) from the testing services. Check English proficiency requirements for specific test score requirements and exceptions to this requirement 

Admission into the graduate program is dependent upon a faculty member’s willingness to act as the student’s advisor in addition to basic academic requirements. 

General WSU Graduate School requirements for admission must be met, including:

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for the most recent 60 semester hours of undergraduate academic coursework. Specific requirements for the Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Sciences include a TOEFL score of 600 (Paper-Based), 250 (Computer-Based), or 100 (Internet-Based) for students with English as a second language. Normally completion of a Master’s degree (or equivalent) is expected for admission to the doctoral program. 

Admission to the program without subject matter deficiency requires at least 10 semester credits of completed coursework in basic biological and/or physical sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, geology, etc.). Students may be admitted with deficiency with the expectation that the deficiency will be met through completed coursework (for non-graduate program credit) within one year of admission. 

Admission into the graduate program is dependent upon a faculty member’s willingness to act as the student’s advisor in addition to basic academic requirements. 

To earn a Ph.D., students must complete coursework and research credits, pass a preliminary oral examination, write a dissertation, and pass the final dissertation defense. The coursework will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and advisory committee. The preliminary oral examination is intended to ensure the student has sufficient depth of knowledge in their specific research area and appropriate breadth of knowledge in the fields of environmental and natural resource sciences. The Ph.D. dissertation should be a significant contribution to environmental and natural resource sciences, worthy of publication in refereed international journals.  

Specific program requirements.