• GRE is not required for the M.S and Ph.D. ESS and WS degree programs.

• As an M.S. or Ph.D. student, you are required to have an advisor who assists you throughout your degree program and chairs your graduate committee.
  • Advisors have varied styles, with some preferring regular interaction and others favoring independence. You are encouraged to discuss expectations with your advisor before starting your program.
• The graduate committee offers guidance and evaluates your progress. Master’s committees must have at least three members and Ph.D. committees four, including the advisor. You should form your committee by the second semester for GS6 form submission and ensure outside members have CSU email access if from another university.

If you are interested in getting involved in a laboratory or research project related to your field of study within Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, we encourage exploring the many opportunities available in our department. There are plenty of chances to gain hands-on experience and learn from ongoing projects!

Funding is not guaranteed. As a student, you can pursue many different options to support your schooling financially.

• Graduate Research Assistantships: Provided by a faculty member’s research funding in support of a specific project.
• Graduate Teaching Assistantships: Funded by the department to assist with teaching undergraduate and graduate courses.

Financial and tuition support associated with assistantships can vary; some assistantships are considered Part-Time (not to exceed 10 hours/week), while others are considered Full-Time (not to exceed 20 hours/week). Students not fully supported by a 20-hour/week graduate assistantship are responsible for paying tuition and fees not covered by their assistantship position.

Graduate assistantships are at will, reappointed on a semester-by-semester basis, and are contingent on:

• Availability of funds
• Maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Making satisfactory progress toward the degree
• Completion of assistantship responsibilities
• Compliance with program and university guidelines, including the Student Conduct Code

The Department sends out needs for both GRA’s and GTA’s near the end of each semester to the graduate student listserv and on the website. Stay up to date by subscribing to the departmental newsletter and keeping an eye on this page.

For all other questions, resources, and details regarding CSU, graduate student life, or student life in general, take a look at the University-wide resource hub.

As a graduate student in ESS, there are plenty of pathways you can take to accomplish your personal and professional goals. Take a look at our curriculum and general program information, and reach out with questions.