Environmentally Focused
Our Ph.D. program offers a distinctive blend of in-depth training in environmental politics and policy, guided by our experienced faculty. Graduates from the program develop advanced expertise in environmental politics while also gaining broad foundational knowledge in two additional subfields of political science. These subfields include:
- American Politics
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Public Policy and Administration
- Political Theory
All Ph.D. students must write a dissertation with an environmental focus.
Ph.D. Career Preparation
Our Ph.D. program prepares doctoral students for academic positions in political science, interdisciplinary environmental studies programs, and a variety of public and private sector careers related to environmental politics.
The department has an exceptional placement record in academic institutions including but not limited to:
- Brown University
- California State University
- Auburn University
- Elon University
- Lund University
- Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Our graduates also find careers in public service and private companies including but not limited to:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- California Environmental Protection Agency
- The Nature Conservancy
- City of Fort Collins
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- USDA
Application Information
Step 1: Confirm Program Qualifications
- Students must have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or better.
- Must also have a particular interest in environmental politics and policy.
- Review CSU’s Graduate Admissions Requirements for citizens and permanent residents or international students.
- Review the Political Science Graduate Handbook
- Students may be required to make up deficiencies in their backgrounds as part of admission to the program.
- Check out our faculty page to determine faculty members who have similar areas of study to you.
Step 2: Apply by February 15
- Complete the Online Graduate Application through Graduate Admissions. Doctoral students are normally admitted in the fall semester.
- A one-time non-refundable application fee is due.
- $60 U.S. citizen/permanent resident
- $70 International student
- Military veterans and service members may quality for an application fee waiver.
Collect the required supporting documents
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- The department is requiring GRE scores. Test scores should be submitted with institution code 4075.
- A written paper submitted in English. The paper must be an appropriate writing sample that reflects the student’s abilities to conduct independent research and communicate effectively. Requirements include a minimum of 15 pages and maximum of 40 pages.
- For international students only: CSU requires proof of English language proficiency. See here for more information: https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/admissions-resources/english-proficiency/
- Resume/CV
- Statement of interest (300 - 500 words)
- Three letters of recommendation. Applicants are encouraged to submit letters of recommendation from academic instructors. Letters should be on original letterhead paper with original signatures.
- Original transcripts from all colleges and universities that applicants have attended.
Admission and Funding Decisions
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- Applicants must submit completed application by February 15 to be considered for funding.
- The department makes funding decisions immediately after the February 15 deadline. There is no separate process for applying for departmental funding.
- Applicants are automatically considered for Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs).
- The department reserves the right to review promising applications earlier or later than the formal deadlines and will continue to review applications after these deadlines on a space available basis.
- The department will not review any incomplete applications.
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.
Can the application fee be waived? Does the department have financial support for the application fee?
The Department does not offer financial aid to cover the application fee, and payment is required to apply. However, CSU's Graduate School offers limited application fee waivers. You can find more information and eligibility criteria here: https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/skip-the-application-fee/.
Can the GRE test be waived?
No, GRE scores are required for admission to the Political Science graduate program. However, applicants may substitute the GRE with scores from other standardized tests, such as the LSAT or GMAT.
Can I apply after the February 15 deadline for fall admission?
Yes, applications submitted after the February 15 deadline may still be considered. However, late applications are reviewed on a space-available basis and are typically not eligible for funding, as priority is given to those received by the deadline.
Do I need to contact a faculty member before I apply? Do I need to identify a faculty advisor before I apply?
No, you are not required to contact a potential faculty advisor before applying. However, we strongly encourage you to identify faculty whose research aligns with your interests and feel free to reach out to them to discuss your research. In your personal statement, please describe your research goals and mention specific faculty members you are interested in working with, explaining why. This information is valuable to the admissions committee in evaluating your application.
Contact Information
For additional information about the Political Science Ph.D. program or to set up a virtual appointment, please email Graduate Coordinator, Professor Ryan Scott.
Ryan Scott
- Associate Professor