Environmental Studies and Public Administration, M.S. EVS/M.P.A. Dual Degrees

Application

Applicants seeking admission to the dual M.S. Environmental Studies and M.P.A. Public Administration degree programs must submit an application and application fees for consideration to both programs. Students must be successfully admitted to both degree programs, in accordance with each program’s standards and requirements. Admission to the dual degree program will then be determined by the graduate coordinators for the M.S. EVS and M.P.A. programs. Once admitted to the dual M.S. EVS/M.P.A. degree program, students will complete the curriculum requirements described below. Students will be assigned faculty advisors (e.g., Graduate coordinators) from each program to help them develop their course of study.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the M.S. EVS/MPA dual degree program should submit applications to both graduate programs prior to the deadlines published by the Graduate School. 

Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Science in Environmental Studies program are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

• An application for graduate admission
• Official transcripts of all prior university or college work (undergraduate and graduate)
• Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) less than five years old
• Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields
• An essay describing educational and professional experiences, reasons for pursuing graduate study in environmental studies and career goals
• Resume
• Optional writing sample
• Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Applicants seeking admission to the program must meet the following requirements:

• Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college, or its equivalent (due to the diversity of areas of emphasis within the program, it is not required that the successful applicant possess a degree in Environmental Studies)
• Strong academic performance in an undergraduate curriculum indicated by a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, or its equivalent
• Indication of graduate academic potential reflected by satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination
• Indication of graduate academic potential reflected by three letters of recommendation from individuals in professionally relevant fields
• Concurrency of personal goals with the focus of the environmental studies graduate curriculum

Individuals who fall below one of these criteria may be admitted if other factors indicate potential for success. Individuals with identified deficiencies may be accepted provisionally with specified plans and goals for the remediation of these deficiencies. Such remediation may include a requirement of additional hours beyond those normally required for the degree.

Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program must meet the following requirements:

• An application for graduate admission
• Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate). A GPA of 3.0 at the undergraduate level is required for admission. Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be accepted provisionally when there is a record of professional work experience longer than 3 years or other evidence that suggests the ability to successfully complete graduate coursework. Such evidence could include work experience in excess of three years, standardized test scores on the GRE/GMAT, and/or successful completion of other graduate coursework. Contact the program coordinator for additional clarification.
• Three recommendations from individuals who are in a position to evaluate the applicant’s professional competence as well as potential for graduate study (ideally at least one reference should be an academic instructor).
• A personal statement describing your professional experiences, reasons for pursuing graduate study in the MPA program, and your professional career goals
• Resume

Admissions decisions are based upon the examination of the entire portfolio of information and when indicators of success warrant, individuals who fall below the established criterion in one area may be considered for admission. Such individuals may be required to take additional coursework to remove deficiencies or may be required to demonstrate proficiency in certain areas.

Note: If you are a student currently enrolled in either the M.S. EVS or M.P.A. programs separately and would like to be considered for the Dual degree, please contact your Program Coordinator in your respective area for information on the application process.

Degree Requirements (63 total credit hours)

All students must complete the required coursework that is part of the M.S. EVS and M.P.A. degree programs.