Thank you for your interest in the graduate programs of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability (ESS) at Colorado State University (CSU). To be considered for admission to our programs, applicants must submit an online application through the CSU Graduate School.
Questions about applying?
- Check out the ESS Graduate Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Email [email protected]
Ecosystem Sustainability Admission Criteria
Required admission criteria for applicants to the Ecosystem Sustainability program includes:
- Confirmation of interest from an ESS Faculty Advisor (see our guide on Choosing a Faculty Advisor)
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (Preferred GPA of 3.3 or higher)
- Undergraduate degree in a related field (Undergraduate degrees in unrelated fields may require additional coursework.)
Note: GRE scores are no longer required.
Ecosystem Sustainability Application Instructions
Identify Potential Faculty Advisor/s
On your application, please list the names of potential faculty advisors. Prior to applying to the program, we recommend that you contact potential advisors, as students are only admitted to the program if a faculty member chooses to accept them as an advisee.
A great starting point is to browse our faculty profiles and see our guide on Choosing a Faculty Advisor.
Submit Online Application to CSU Graduate School
After creating your online application, begin submitting your supporting materials to complete your application. The final step will be paying your application fee.
- Upload supporting documents to your application. The Ecosystem Sustainability application will require the following documentation:
- Personal statement of intent
- Resume/Curriculum Vita
- Transcripts from all previous institutions of higher education
- TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic scores for international applicants
- At least two professional letters of recommendations
- To submit official transcripts, contact your previous institutions to request they submit official transcripts to Colorado State University (use institution code 4075).
- To submit test scores, contact the test agency to request that scores be sent to Colorado State University (use institution code 4075).
- For any documents that cannot be uploaded, submit paper copies directly to the Office of Admissions at the address below:

Electronic submission of college transcripts is supported and preferred whenever possible. Most commonly, CSU receives paperless college transcripts via Parchment/Docufide, eScript-Safe, ConnectEDU and the National/Colorado Transcript Centers, and is willing to access electronic transcripts through any other secure sites hosted by the sending institution.
College officials are welcome to send links to secure site delivery to [email protected].