Arkansas State University
Environmental Science
P.O. Box 847
State University, AR  72467
Phone (870) 972-2007
Fax (870) 972-2008
http://evs.astate.edu/

Dr. Thomas Risch
Program Director
trisch@astate.edu

Program Description
The mission of the cross-disciplinary Environmental Sciences Program is to produce scientists with the knowledge needed to support the assessment, maintenance and recovery of environmental resources. This includes an appreciation of the economic, social, political and aesthetic context that shapes our interaction with and knowledge of the environment. Measuring and understanding the balance between environmental protection, sustainable resource management, and economic growth is a major integrating theme within the program.

Admission Requirement
 

Applicants to the Graduate Program Sciences Program must hold a baccalaureate or master's degree (BA, BS, MA, or MS) from an accredited institution in a relevant field of study. Students should apply to either the PhD or MS program. For both programs, applicants must submit the following to the Graduate School:

1. A completed application for admission to the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences. Applicants are encourages to submit the application no later than January 15th for the fall semester and August 15th for the spring semester. Forms are available from the Graduate School.

2. A nonrefundable application fee. PhD application fee is 50.00, Master's application fee is $30.00. Checks must be made payable to Arkansas State University. If applications are received without payment, the Graduate school 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 the U.S. currency.

3. One copy of official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework attempted, to be sent directly from the institution(s) previously attended. The Graduate School will compute the graduate GPA by counting all graduate courses completed, including any repeated courses. Applicants to the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four year institution and meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School. 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.
Economics: An introductory level economics course.
Political Science: American government, United States history or world history.

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 buy may be required to complete preparatory course work before enrolling in specific graduate core courses. Applicants are also expected to have a working knowledge of computer systems and software. 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, there criteria for admission. Contact the Program Director for questions in these matters.

4. Three letters of recommendation to be reviewed by the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Committee. Note that both recommendation by the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Committee and approval by the Dean of the Graduate School are required for admission to the program.

5. Scores from the Graduate Record Examination showing a score of 150 on both the verbal and quantitative tests, which are recommended for acceptance.

6. International student applications must demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language if English is not their native language. To do so, 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 he university's Center for English as a Second Language program.

7. A Statement of Purpose essay stating reasons for undertaking graduate study in the Environmental Sciences; describing qualifications for the program and objectives in undertaking the program.

8.  A Resume or C.V. listing all colleges and universities attended, major extracurricular activities, employment detailing those particularly relevant to the proposed field of study, honors and prizes awarded and publiction and research projects.

Deadline: Fall - January 15 and Spring - August 15

gradsch@astate.edu