The Environmental Science and Management (ESM) program at Portland State University offers a Master of Science degree, a Master of Environmental Management degree, a Professional Science Master in Environmental Management, and a School of the Environment ESR PhD degree. In addition, the program offers a Graduate Certificate of Hydrology.
For general information regarding Graduate Assistantships, please click here. Please consult with your potential advisor for information regarding specific assistantships available through the ESM department.
If you are just beginning to think about applying to graduate school, check out our Thinking of Applying to Graduate School in Environmental Science and Management Guide. If you are considering getting a graduate degree in environmental science and management, this is a great guide to read to figure out how to get started in the process.
Admission Process and Requirements
MS and MEM applicants:
Finding a Graduate Advisor: Selecting a graduate advisor to mentor you through your studies at PSU is one of the most vital steps in the graduate school process. Your graduate advisor will help you plan your courses, guide you with your research, and serve as one of your committee members. Please note that you cannot be admitted without having found a graduate advisor, so we recommend you begin the search as soon as possible.
Review the list of ESM faculty and their interest areas found on the faculty directory. After reviewing the list and identifying who has interest areas similar to your own, you should contact them via email. Let them know what you are interested in studying and how your interests and their research are related. It is also good to ask if they know other professors working in your area of interest that you might contact.
When making an initial contact with a prospective advisor, it is recommended that you email them a copy of your CV and include a paragraph or two about your interest areas and how you see them aligning with those of the faculty member. If you do not receive a response within a week or so, try emailing again or calling. If you still don't hear a response, it is likely because the faculty member does not feel it is a good match.
When you find professors that you would like to work with, you will probably discuss funding sources. The ESM Graduate Program has limited funding for Teaching Assistantships (TA). Please inquire with your potential advisor about opportunities for TAs or Research Assistantships through their research grants. Most students have funding through their major professor or through private sources. The Financial Aid office is a good source of information for funding your graduate studies.
Application Deadline: The next application deadline for the ESM MS and MEM degree programs will be January 15, 2024 (to begin in Fall 2024). Applications will be accepted beginning on September 1, 2023. (Note: The Environmental Science & Management department only offers one application and admit cycle per year with a fall term start.) All materials (including reference letters) must be received no later than 9:00 pm on January 15, 2024.
Admission Requirements: The ESM MS and MEM degree programs expect applicants to have a science-based baccalaureate degree or equivalent training and evidence of course work in biology, ecology, data analysis, or similar science courses. Admission is competitive (typically around 25% acceptance) and every student is evaluated based on their full application. All applicants must pre-identify a major advisor.
PSM applicants:
PSM applicants do not need to pre-identify an advisor to matriculate into the program. However, applicants to the program are expected to contact the PSM Coordinator to express their interest and discuss the requirements. Students who have already matriculated into a graduate certificate program at PSU are encouraged to apply to the PSM program, and may do so through a streamlined process after discussing with the PSM Coordinator. All PSM students will identify a project or internship advisor after some of their graduate certificate coursework is completed and in consultation with the PSM Coordinator. Most PSM students are expected to be self-supported.
Application Deadline: For students not currently enrolled in a graduate certificate program at PSU, the application deadline is January 15, 2024. Students currently enrolled in a graduate certificate program at PSU should contact the PSM Coordinator for more information about applying their existing work to the PSM degree.
EES PhD applicants:
EES PhD applicants should identify an advisor using a process similar to that described above for MS and MEM applicants, and can find participating EES faculty members listed in the EES faculty directory.
Applicants must apply through the Earth Environment, and Society program.
Prospective doctoral applicants can click here for application deadline and requirements.
Graduate Hydrology Certificate:
Applications are accepted three times a year on October 1st (for a winter term start), April 1 (for a fall term start), and January 1 (for a spring term start).
Prospective graduate hydrology certificate students should read the program requirements prior to applying.
How to Apply
All students must apply using the online application system. This link will open for Fall 2024 applicants on 9/01/23. (Paper applications will not be accepted.)
If you have questions regarding the online application, please contact the Environmental Science & Management department at 503-725-4982 or esmoffice@pdx.edu. You may also contact Graduate Admissions in the Office of Graduate Studies at 503-725-8410 or gradschool@pdx.edu.
Do not mail any materials to the department. Reference letters should be requested via the online application.
If you have questions regarding general program information, please contact the ESM department. If you have more specific questions you may contact perspective graduate advisors you would be interested in working with, or Dr. Kelly Gleason, Chair of ESM Graduate Committee.
Application Components:
For the online application, you will need the following:
1. A statement of purpose:
- Statement of purpose prompt for MS applicants:
- In no more than 1,100 words describe the following:
- The academic and professional experiences that have prepared you for graduate school. (We recognize that many types of experiences can contribute to an applicant's readiness for graduate study, and encourage you to make clear connections between whatever prior experiences you feel are relevant and your intended next steps.)
- The research field and types of research questions that interest you.
- Your career goals for the next 5-10 years.
- The ESM faculty member(s) you would like to work with.
- Any contributions you would make to diversity, equity, and inclusion in environmental science and management.
- Please be as specific as possible, avoiding vague/universal statements (such as descriptions of your desire to learn environmental science and/or management). Note that the statement of purpose is also an opportunity to provide relevant context for any areas of weakness in your application (e.g., a low undergraduate GPA due to working multiple jobs).
- Statement of purpose prompt for MEM and PSM applicants:
- In no more than 1,100 words describe the following:
- The academic and professional experiences that have prepared you for graduate school. (We recognize that many types of experiences can contribute to an applicant's readiness for graduate study, and encourage you to make clear connections between whatever prior experiences you feel are relevant and your intended next steps.)
- The professional skills you seek to develop, and the sectors (e.g., government, private, nonprofit) and/or types of projects in which you would most like to gain experience.
- Your career goals for the next 5-10 years.
- The ESM faculty member(s) you would like to work with.
- Any contributions you would make to diversity, equity, and inclusion in environmental science and management.
- Please be as specific as possible, avoiding vague/universal statements (such as descriptions of your desire to learn environmental science and/or management). Note that the statement of purpose is also an opportunity to provide relevant context for any areas of weakness in your application (e.g., a low undergraduate GPA due to working multiple jobs).
2. Current resume or CV (as PDF).
3. PDF copies of transcripts of college and university work. (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the review process. Before you receive permission to register you will need to provide official transcripts.) For information on transcripts see the Office of Graduate Studies requirements.
4. Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess your promise as a grad student. The on-line application includes a section for you to provide the emails of these three individuals. These individuals will then be sent an email with a link to upload their letter of recommendation.
5. A satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for international students.
6. Identification of a potential advisor (see "Finding a Major Professor" listed above). No PhD, MEM, or MS student is admitted without an advisor.
Please note the GRE is no longer required for the ESM Masters programs.
Financial Aid and Teaching/Research Assistantships
We have a limited number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) each year. These are very competitive and typically go to students with strong academic records. Individual faculty may also have Research Assistantships and should be contacted directly regarding the availability of support. In order to be considered for a GTA position, applicants must note their interest on their graduate application. There will be a GTA section provided for applicants to complete. Note, all graduate applications along with interest in being considered for a GTA position are due January 15th. Teaching assistantships are variable but include tuition that covers 9 credit hours of course work (some also include a small stipend). Pay for Research Assistantships varies by project. Academic year Research Assistantships must include tuition, per the Graduate Employee Union contract.
International Students
For more information regarding international student admissions, please visit International Student Services.
Recommended Prior Coursework
Students should have academic training sufficient for them to be successful in graduate courses. An adequate background varies widely by degree and area of concentration. PhD applicants should consult with the School of the Environment. (Program course entry requirements do not have an expiration date.)
Typical preparation for the MS degree would include the following:
One year of biology (2 semesters or 3 quarters)
One year of chemistry
One course in physics
Courses in differential and integral calculus
At least one course in statistics
Typical preparation for the MEM and PSM degrees would include the following:
One year of biology (2 semesters or 3 quarters)
One year of Environmental Management
One year of Ecology, particularly related to your study system
At least one course in statistics or one calculus course
Students with the coursework background outlined above will receive first consideration. Students that lack some of the coursework are advised to take courses as post-baccalaureate students prior to admission. ESM may admit students with deficiencies in some of the background coursework if the application otherwise indicates preparation that will allow the student to succeed in graduate school.
Post-baccalaureate or Conditional Admits
Students with deficiencies in particular areas can be admitted as post-baccalaureate students or with departmental conditions which must be satisfied within the first one or two quarters after admission. (Please note, if you are admitted conditionally, you are not eligible for a graduate assistantship.)
Graduate Courses at the Post-Baccalaureate Level
No more than one-third of the required graduate course credits (15 credits in the case of the MS, MEM and PSM programs) taken by post-baccalaureate students may be taken prior to admission and transferred into the graduate program.