Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (EEGS) at Northern Michigan University

Graduate Admissions

Admission Requirements

All applicants should comply with the regular Admission Requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, including:

  1. Having an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale from an accredited undergraduate institution
  2. Submitting a graduate admission application and fee.

International students, in addition to the above criteria, must submit proof of English language proficiency:

  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are not required for any applicant.

Applicants are also expected to have a background in other natural or social sciences, with a total of 16 credits of coursework from at least two of the following areas: biology, business, communication, Earth science, ecology, economics, environmental science, environmental policy and regulation, environmental studies and sustainability, geography, Geographic Information Science and Technology, geology (physical geology, hydrology, or soils), natural resources management, political science, and sociology. Other courses may be accepted with the approval of the department.

Applicants and/or their potential advisors may request special consideration for admission of students with backgrounds that do not meet these expectations. Written requests should be directed to the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Graduate Committee, which after consideration will make recommendations to the Department for final approval of admission recommendations. The Department and Graduate Studies may conditionally admit students with deficient backgrounds with the expectation that those individuals complete the necessary and relevant remedial coursework within a predefined time frame.

Applicants should identify a practicum or thesis advisor prior to admission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate with the advisor early in the application process. To identify the advisor, students should familiarize themselves with EEGS faculty members. Contact faculty members with closely related interests to determine the willingness and availability of that person to serve as the advisor, as indicated by a memorandum from the faculty member to that effect.

Application Requirements

All applicants for the two-year Master of Science in Sustainability program must submit:

  1. Evidence of a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
  2. Personal statement of intent
  3. Official transcripts demonstrating an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
  4. Two (2) letters of recommendation
  5. Résumé / curriculum vitae
  6. International Students, in addition to the above, must submit proof of English language proficiency:
    1. Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    2. Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    3. Minimum 58 PTE score
    4. Minimum 110 DET score

Application Due Dates

  • Fall Semester admission only - Applications will be accepted from December 15 of the previous year through February 1 of the start year. Applicants interested in being considered for a fall‐awarded graduate assistantship (if funding is available) must have all materials submitted by February 1. Applications must be complete to be considered for admission. Late applications may be considered at the discretion of the department and only under extreme circumstances.

Graduation Requirements

Graduates must meet the Master’s degree requirements of the College of Graduate Studies as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin in addition to the following:

  • Complete the minimum number of credits for the degree
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
  • Complete a practicum as part of GC 591 and 598, or complete a thesis as part of GC 598 and GC 599.

Students may be denied admission, or they may be dismissed from a graduate program or practicum if they demonstrate a lack of professional competence and effectiveness or fail to perform course work effectively.

Students may also be denied admission or dismissed if convicted of immoral conduct contributing to the delinquency or endangering the health and well-being of a child or of felonies that include involvement with drugs or controlled substances, pornographic materials, criminal sexual conduct, wrongful entry, larceny, embezzlement, stolen property, perjury, bribery, graft, forgery, counterfeiting, smuggling or fraud.

The departmental graduate review committee reviews the qualifications of all questionable students and may require them to undergo further examination to make a final determination.