Master of Environmental Studies

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For Prospective Students

Program Overview

For Current Students

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Admission to the Master of Environmental Studies Program

The MES program is currently accepting applications for Fall 2012.  The priority deadline is February 15, 2012, which means that any application completed by that time is guaranteed to be reviewed by the admissions committee.  After that date, we will accept students on a rolling basis until the Fall 2012 cohort is filled (40 to 45 students). Because each core program builds upon prior programs, students are admitted to begin MES only in the fall quarter.

Admission and Application Requirements for Fall 2012

Applicants seeking admission to Evergreen's Master of Environmental Studies must:

  1. Show evidence of writing, analytical and general communication skills of high quality and at a level appropriate for graduate study.
  2. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for the last 90 quarter-hours (or equivalent) of work toward a baccalaureate degree.
    Note: We are able to make a few exceptions to this rule about GPA, which applies to all master's programs offered by public institutions of higher education in Washington. We encourage prospective students who do not meet this requirement, but who are otherwise well qualified, to apply to the program for consideration as early as possible.
  3. Have earned a bachelor's degree (BA or BS in any subject) from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education prior to enrollment.
    Note: A student may be provisionally admitted pending completion of the bachelor's degree. Before final acceptance, the applicant must submit a final official transcript showing completed courses and the degree awarded prior to beginning first-year course work. Financial aid is not awarded while a student is in provisional status.
  4. Complete at least 15 undergraduate quarter-hours in social science and 15 undergraduate quarter-hours in natural science (recommended).
  5. Complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); scores expire after five years.
  6. Complete the following college-level courses (each worth 4 credits in a quarter system, or 3 credits in a semester system) within the five years prior to starting the MES program:
    • One course in economic principles;
    • One course in biological or earth science; and
    • One course in statistics.
    Please see our pre-requisite guide (PDF) to find an appropriate course to fulfill this requirement. 
    Note:     We accept applications from people who do not have one or more pre-requisites.  If admitted, these students will be conditionally admitted and we must receive evidence that the pre-requisites are satisfied before Fall classes begin.

How to Apply: Application Checklist for Fall 2012

The following steps are required for admission to the MES program (international students have two more requirements):

  • Submit the MES Application form (PDF)
  • Submit nonrefundable application fee of $50 payable to The Evergreen State College (waived for international students)
    Note: Fee can be paid by personal check, money order, cashier's check, or through bank wire transfer
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university attended (including Evergreen), regardless of credit earned, the nature of coursework or whether you earned a degree. One transcript must verify the award of a bachelor's degree.  A transcript is official if it bears the official seal and signature of the issuing institution and is sent directly by the institution to the Office of Admissions; OR is enclosed in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution and delivered by the applicant to the Office of Admissions. If the envelope is opened prior to receipt in the Admissions Office, the transcript is no longer official. Evergreen can also receive official transcripts electronically from schools that are members of the National Student Clearinghouse and Scrip-Safe International. Check with your previous institution's registrar to find out if your they participate in either electronic transcript service.
  • Submit a résumé listing key experiences relevant to your interest in environmental studies; include any significant public and community service activities.
  • Submit a typed statement of 500 to 1,000 words explaining why you want to pursue graduate study in environmental studies at Evergreen. This statement helps the admission committee assess your interest and motivation for graduate study and helps the committee gauge the fit between what our program offers and what you hope to receive from it. Describe in some detail your experiences in education, employment and public or community work and how they influenced you to seek a graduate degree in environmental studies. Your essay will also be evaluated for clarity, analysis, and general writing skills.
  • Submit three letters of recommendation that provide clear evidence that you are capable of doing graduate-level work, including evidence of writing, analytical and general communication skills of high quality and at a level appropriate for graduate study.  Applicants enrolled in college-level coursework during the last two years must provide at least one letter from a faculty member.  The program prefers that letters are written on the letterhead of the recommender's employment (if applicable) and are submitted in a sealed envelope with the recommender's signature across the seal. Mygraduateschool.com offers some great tips for asking for letters of recommendation.
  • Submit your GRE scores. If you have taken the GRE within the past five years, have official scores sent to Evergreen's Office of Admissions.  It takes up to three weeks for Evergreen to receive GRE scores after the test is taken.
  • All materials should be sent to the Office of Admissions, The Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505, and be designated for MES.  Materials may be sent separately.
    Note: Original documents submitted in support of an application for admission become the property of the college and are not returnable or reproducible. Transcripts for students who do not register for the term for which they applied will be held two years before being purged.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2012 MES Admissions & Financial Aid Timeline (PDF)

Taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Note: We suggest taking the GRE by January 24, 2012 if you want your scores to arrive to Evergreen by February 15, 2012.

The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is offered all over the US and internationally in both computer- and paper-based formats.  In many US cities, it is offered during most business days.  In Washington, Sylvan Technology Centers are authorized, computer-based testing centers located throughout the state with computerized testing available Monday through Saturday. The center nearest to Evergreen is in Puyallup. To register for the Puyallup center, call (253) 848-0771; otherwise, see below.  Computer-based test results take up to three weeks to reach Evergreen.  You do not need a school code in order to have scores sent.
Note: Starting in August 2011, the GRE test changed to a new version.  Please make sure to study for the correct test!

For More Information:

News Articles about the GRE

Preparing for the GRE

  • Information packets are available in the Evergreen Career Development Center in the Library Building, Room 2153, (360) 867-6193
  • Check out your local library for GRE prep materials
  • ETS has free GRE prep materials and also sells a GRE guide
  • You can also google "GRE classes" to find a number of companies that offer classes

International Student Requirements

International students will be expected to provide evidence for two additional admission criteria:

  1. For students from countries where English is not an official language, an official copy of the student's score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. A minimum score of 600 for the paper test, 250 for the computerized test, or 100 for the online test is required.
  2. Evidence of having at least $34,990 USD to pay all expenses for one academic year's enrollment at Evergreen.  This estimate includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, personal expenditures, and transportation (excluding travel to and from U.S.).

International students must contact the Office of Admissions at (360) 867-6170 for information about international student application procedures.

Prior Credit

Earning MES Credit Prior to Admission

Students who have not been formally admitted to MES may, with the instructor's permission and if space is available, enroll in one four-credit elective per quarter under "special student" status. Up to 12 graduate credits earned within the last 5 years may be applied toward MES degree requirements. Graduate-level course work taken while the student is an undergraduate and used toward the undergraduate degree cannot be applied toward graduate degree requirements.

MES elective offerings are listed on the Electives page.  To register as a special student, you must fill out a Special Student Registration Form (fall, winter, spring) or Summer Special Student Registration Form (summer only). These forms require the instructor's signature. See academic calendar for specific registration dates. Forms should be submitted to the Office of Registration & Records.  Please see the Special Student Registration Instructions page for more information.

Transfer Credit

The MES Program will accept up to 8 quarter-hours of relevant graduate credit earned within the past five years from accredited institutions other than Evergreen.  Normally, graduate credit earned through extension or correspondence work will not be considered, neither will graduate credit be granted for documented life or work experiences. Credit from a previously earned graduate degree will also not be considered. Transfer credit, where appropriate, is awarded by the MES Director, following review of appropriate materials, including transcripts and course syllabi. Students wishing to obtain transfer credit should make their intention known to the MES Assistant Director before, or shortly after, they begin their studies at Evergreen.