The program is academically rigorous and demanding; it requires dedication, focus, and an abiding passion for the environment. Only students interested in working on issues supported by faculty expertise and interest are admitted to the program. Applicants should review the research focus areas for the EnvS Graduate Faculty Advisors prior to applying. 

Application Checklist

• Contact the Graduate Coordinator.
• Contact Potential Thesis Advisors.
• Apply online (CSU Mentor).
• Submit Financial Aid application, if applicable.
• Send the following items to the appropriate department:
  
  To be sent to Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations:
  
  • Submit transcripts
  • GRE scores (institution code: 4687, department code: 0502)
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores (international students only)
  
  Hard copies to be mailed to EnvS Department:
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Unofficial Transcripts

Contact Graduate Coordinator

For more information about the MS degree in Environmental Studies please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator at envstudies-ms@sjsu.edu

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Contact Potential Thesis Advisors

Click on the professor's name to view bio with research interests and other information.

• Katherine Cushing, Associate Professor
• Alex Gershenson, Assistant Professor
• Gary Klee, Professor
• Dustin Mulvaney, Assistant Professor
• Rachel O'Malley, Professor
• Will Russell, Associate Professor
• Lynne Trulio, Professor (Department Chair)

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Apply online (CSU Mentor)

Applications are submitted electronically using CSU Mentor through Graduate Admissions and Program Assessment (GAPE). Prospective students should check with GAPE for University domestic and international applications and deadlines. Be sure to follow directions carefully, as incomplete applications are not forwarded to the Department.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

The Environmental Studies Department does not guarantee funding to any of its graduate students. Rather, students are encouraged to apply for all college level and departmental research grants, and to work with their Thesis Advisor to develop outside funding opportunities. In addition, each year the College of Social Sciences and the Environmental Studies Department advertise a few small grants; graduate students are encouraged to apply. Many students also seek financial assistance through the Financial Aid Office. The Environmental Studies Department strongly encourages students to apply for scholarship and fellowship funding at the same time that they are applying to the graduate program at SJSU.

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Hard copies to be mailed to EnvS Department:

In addition to the electronic University application, applicants must submit the following three items in hard copy to the Environmental Studies Department at the address below:

• Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a university faculty member).
• A 2-3 page Statement of Purpose that briefly describes the student’s relevant background, goals, and objectives for seeking the M.S. in Environmental Studies at SJSU. The SOP should indicate the proposed area of focus for thesis work and specific faculty members that the student might wish to work with.
• Unofficial Transcripts (send official transcripts to GAPE and send copies or unofficial transcripts to the EnvS Department)

Mail hard copies of the above documents to:

Graduate Coordinator
Department of Environmental Studies
San José State University
Washington Square Hall 118
San José, CA 95192-0115

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