This program is in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability

• Application deadline
  • Applications are due Feb. 1 for fall admission.
  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for fall admission. Spring admission is available only on a case-by-case basis.
• GRE/GPA
  • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • No GRE requirement

This program is in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology

Once you have identified a faculty member whose current research projects match your skills and interests, please reach out to them via email with the following:

• Your CV or resume.
• A brief statement of research interests.
• Unofficial transcripts (optional but helpful)

Once an FWCB faculty member has agreed to support your admission, complete the steps laid out in the Application Requirements section above.

• Degree background
  • Applicants must hold a degree in physical, chemical, or biological sciences.
  • Note for non-science majors: If your degree is in a field such as liberal arts, business, or education, you are generally not eligible without first completing significant foundational coursework in math and science or a second bachelor’s degree.
  • Ph.D. applicants must generally hold a master’s degree before applying to the program.
• Application deadline
  • Students are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Timing depends entirely on when faculty secure grants and when research projects begin.
• GRE/GPA
  • No GRE requirement.
  • A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
• Statement of purpose
  • Should be a narrative that highlights your interests and achievements.
• Letters of recommendation
  • Submit two letters of recommendation.
  • Send them to your potential advisor or upload them via the portal
• Transcripts
  • The program only accepts official transcripts.

This program is in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship

• Application deadline
  • Contact faculty members you are interested in working with before applying. Review timelines may vary depending on faculty funding and availability.
  • For best consideration, submit your application by Dec. 1 for fall admission and Oct. 1 for spring admission.
• Statement of purpose
  • Submit a response of 250 words or fewer to each prompt:
    • Explain your motivation for pursuing graduate study and how it supports your long-term career goals.
    • Describe the skills and experiences you will bring to the program, including research, work, leadership, family, community, athletics, or other experiences that have shaped your interests and career goals.
    • Describe a challenge you have faced and how you persevered through it.
    • Reflect on your strengths and areas for growth in commitment, time management, and self-assessment. Explain how you will apply these skills in graduate school and how you plan to strengthen weaker areas.
• References
  • Provide contact information, including email and phone number, for three references. CSU will contact them with instructions for submitting letters of recommendation.
  • References must represent at least two of the following categories:
    • Current or former college or university instructors
    • Current or former direct professional supervisors
    • Other professional or academic contacts who can speak to your intellectual or professional expertise
  • Letters from friends, relatives, or character references may be submitted only as supplemental materials and do not count toward the three required references.
• Transcripts
  • The program only accepts official transcripts.

This program is in the Department of Geosciences

• Application deadline
  • Submit your application by Jan. 15 for full consideration.
  • Applications received after the deadline may still be reviewed but will be held until after the first round of admission decisions.
  • Graduate assistantship funding decisions typically begin in late January, so submitting by the deadline is strongly encouraged.
  • The department generally admits new graduate students for the fall semester only. Spring or summer admission is considered only when requested by a faculty member.
  • Do not apply for spring admission unless you have discussed it with a faculty member and received their approval.
• Statement of purpose
  • Use your statement of purpose to explain your academic and professional goals and demonstrate how your interests align with the Department of Geosciences.
  • Address the following topics:
    • Describe your research or professional interests, your motivation for pursuing graduate study, and the goals you hope to achieve through an advanced degree in geosciences.
    • Explain how your academic background and previous experiences have prepared you for graduate study.
    • Provide an example that demonstrates creative problem-solving, collaboration, leadership, perseverance, or another experience that shaped your preparation for graduate work.
• Transcripts
  • Submit either official or unofficial transcripts with your application.
• Writing sample
  • You may submit one optional writing sample that demonstrates your academic or research writing.
  • Examples include a senior project report, undergraduate or graduate thesis, research paper, research poster, or another representative piece of academic work.
• Fee waiver
  • Application fee waivers are available only when requested by the faculty member who has agreed to serve as your advisor.

This program is in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources

• Application deadline
  • The M.S. and Ph.D. programs admit new students for fall enrollment only.
  • Preferred application deadline is Feb. 15.
  • CSU Scholarship Application deadline is March 1.
• GRE/GPA
  • Many advisors do not require the GRE; please check with your advisor.
  • A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
• Statement of purpose
  • Describe your background, education, goals, and research interests.
  • Explain how your experience and interests align with the program.
• Letters of recommendation
  • Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Transcripts
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted with your application.
• Additional requirements
  • M.S. applicants may be asked to submit a professional paper or other writing sample and participate in interviews with department faculty.
  • Ph.D. applicants may be asked to submit a master’s thesis, professional paper, or other writing sample and participate in interviews with department faculty.

This program is in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship

• Application deadline
  • Contact faculty members you are interested in working with before applying. Review timelines may vary depending on faculty funding and availability.
  • For best consideration, submit your application by Dec. 1 for fall admission and Oct. 1 for spring admission.
• Statement of purpose
  • Submit a response of 250 words or fewer to each prompt:
    • Explain your motivation for pursuing graduate study and how it supports your long-term career goals.
    • Describe the skills and experiences you will bring to the program, including research, work, leadership, family, community, athletics, or other experiences that have shaped your interests and career goals.
    • Describe a challenge you have faced and how you persevered through it.
    • Reflect on your strengths and areas for growth in commitment, time management, and self-assessment. Explain how you will apply these skills in graduate school and how you plan to strengthen weaker areas.
• References
  • Provide contact information, including email and phone number, for three references. CSU will contact them with instructions for submitting letters of recommendation.
  • References must represent at least two of the following categories:
    • Current or former college or university instructors
    • Current or former direct professional supervisors
    • Other professional or academic contacts who can speak to your intellectual or professional expertise
  • Letters from friends, relatives, or character references may be submitted only as supplemental materials and do not count toward the three required references.
• Transcripts
  • The Rangeland Ecosystem Science program only accepts official transcripts.

This program is in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability

• Application deadline
  • Applications are due Feb. 1 for fall admission.
  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for fall admission. Spring admission is available only on a case-by-case basis.
• GRE/GPA
  • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • No GRE requirement