All applicants must submit an application, one official transcript from each college and university previously attended, scores on the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), three letters of recommendation, a writing sample, a resume, and a brief (300-500 words) statement of interest.

The LSAT can be substituted for the GRE on a case-by-case basis (contact the graduate coordinator for more information).   We take a holistic approach to reviewing applicants for admission into our graduate programs. We give careful consideration to all of the credentials provided by the student and falling below the minimum scores outlined below will not automatically preclude a student from being admitted.

Because the Department values interdisciplinary knowledge related to environmental politics and policy, applications from individuals with related or complementary specializations will be given serious consideration. As a precondition for admission such individuals may be required to take as many as five additional political science courses in order to strengthen their preparation in Political Science.

M.A. Applicants

On average, M.A. applicants have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, a combined score of 301 or better (1080 on the old GRE scoring system) on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE aptitude test, and an analytical score of 5.0. Applicants for the master’s program must present evidence of receipt of the bachelor’s degree before they begin their course of study. Students may be required to make up deficiencies in their backgrounds before beginning their formal master’s programs.

Ph.D. Applicants

Admission to the Doctoral Program is highly selective. Ph.D. applicants are normally expected to have a graduate level GPA of 3.5, verbal and quantitative scores of 308 or better (1200 on the old GRE scoring system), and an analytical score of 5.0. Ph.D. applicants must also provide a 15-page writing sample. Applicants must either have a master’s degree by the time they begin their doctoral studies or they must have earned at least 24 credits as students in the department’s M. A. program. Doctoral students must also have a particular interest in environmental politics and policy. Students may be required to make up deficiencies in their backgrounds as part of their admission to the Doctoral Program.

International Applicants

All international students for whom English is a second language and do not have a degree from an approved English language University must submit TOEFL examination scores in addition to the above materials. A minimum TOEFL score of 600 (or 250 on the computerized test) is required.

To Apply

Visit our online application to apply for Spring 2019 or future term. Applications for admission and financial aid for the fall semester must be completed by February 15. Doctoral students are normally admitted only for the Fall semester. Master’s students are admitted for Fall and Spring. Deadline for application for Spring admission is August 1 for international students and October 15 for U.S. students. The department will continue to review applications after these deadlines on a space available basis. Military veterans and service members may qualify for an application fee waiver.

1. Checklist for U.S. Applicants
2. Checklist for International Applicants

After submitting your online application and paying your application fee, begin submitting your supporting materials to complete your application.

1. Upload a variety of supporting documents directly to your application.
2. To submit official transcripts, contact your previous institutions to request they submit official transcripts to Colorado State University (use institution code 4075).
3. To submit test scores, contact the testing agency to request that scores be sent to Colorado State University (use institution code 4075).
4. For any documents that cannot be uploaded, submit paper copies directly to the Office of Admissions at:

Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

View the status of your application at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or check on updates.

Financial Awards

Graduate teaching assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Assistantship stipends vary between approximately $13,086 and $17,532 per nine-month academic year. Normally, part of the compensation that assistants receive includes tuition payments on their behalf. Applicants who submit an admissions application by February 15 for the following fall semester will automatically be considered for an assistantship. Initial assistantship award determinations will be made shortly after the February 15 deadline. Late applicants will be considered for assistantships on a funding available basis.

For additional information on financial aid, please contact:

Financial Aid Office
Colorado State University
108 Student Services Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: 970-491-6321