Confirm Program Qualifications

• Students must have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or better.
• 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 MA program.
• 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 [link to handbook]
• Students may be required to make up deficiencies in their backgrounds as part of admission to the program.

Contact the department

• Check out our faculty page to determine faculty members who have similar areas of study to you.

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

• 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.
• 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

• 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.