Prospective Graduate Students

What research is conducted in the Environmental Sciences graduate program?  

We research natural science across four disciplines: atmospheric science, ecology, geosciences, and hydrology; and the interactions between these disciplines. To get to know the department, see our website.

Do you provide training in environmental policy, environmental planning, or sustainability? 

Not primarily. Although we have faculty whose work informs these areas, the focus of our graduate program is training in fundamental scientific research. Prospective students with interests in other areas may find a better fit with other schools and departments at UVA, such as the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

What graduate degrees are offered?   

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), M.S. (Master of Science) and M.A. (Master of Arts), all in Environmental Sciences. Most graduate students are enrolled in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs and are engaged in fundamental research, but the M.A. program is growing.

How does the M.A. program differ from the M.S.? 

The M.A. program is a one-year degree that emphasizes coursework over basic science research. There is no financial aid for the M.A. program. This program is intended for students who do not anticipate a career in science research, but who wish to deepen their scientific background in the Environmental Sciences and/or gain greater proficiency in environmental analytical skills (GIS, statistics, data science, remote sensing, etc.) for their intended career. M.A. students enroll in the same classes as M.S. and Ph.D. students.

What is the single most important strategy for applying to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs?  

Our admissions process is largely driven by the interaction between a prospective student and faculty adviser. Therefore, we recommend applying to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs only if you find a potential fit with a faculty adviser. We recommend this process:

1. Determine if faculty in your area of interest are recruiting. The following faculty are considering applications for graduate students to begin in Fall 2027:

• Atmospheric Science: Huang
• Ecology: Epstein, Roulston, Yang
• Geosciences: Limaye, Richardson
• Hydrology: Andreadis, Scanlon

      Faculty not listed here are not currently recruiting students for the Fall 2027 application cycle. 

  2. Consult the faculty profiles on our website to learn more about current research and find contact information.

  3. Contact the faculty member of interest before applying. We recommend a brief introductory email that outlines your experience, your research interests, and why you are interested in applying to UVA.

  4. Faculty members may follow up to discuss your interests, arrange a meeting, and/or encourage you to apply. This process varies by faculty member, and initial contact does not guarantee admission. 

Overall, this process helps applicants determine whether there are graduate opportunities in specific areas of interest and encourages early discussions on whether the applicants’ academic and/or employment record aligns with the factors that support success as a graduate researcher.

I have contacted a faculty member, but they have not responded or are not currently recruiting graduate students. What are my options?  

As a next step, you may wish to contact other faculty in your area of interest. Unfortunately, due to funding constraints we cannot guarantee that you will find a successful match for a funded position. You can still apply, and all applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee for potential fits with other faculty. M.S. applicants for whom we cannot offer financial aid will be considered for admission to the M.A. program. 

How do I apply?   

To apply for the graduate program in Environmental Sciences, go to the College of Arts and Sciences web page.

When are applications due?    

Applications received by January 15 will receive full consideration for financial aid (Ph.D. and M.S. students only) beginning in the following fall semester. We will accept and review applications after this deadline, but financial aid may not be available.

Do all students begin in the fall semester or do you allow spring admission?    

Almost all students begin in the fall semester. While we do allow some students to start in the spring, they typically are admitted without financial aid for that semester.

What is the application fee, and can I get this fee waived?    

The application fee is $85. The policy for fee waivers is set by the Graduate School for the College of Arts and Sciences and copied below for your convenience. Please note that we have no ability to grant fee waivers beyond those listed here:

 US citizens and US permanent residents who demonstrate a financial hardship, current or former members of the United States Armed Forces, or those who have participated in specified organizations and training programs:  See further information here.

International Applicants: Citizens of countries recognized by the United Nations as least developed countries (LDCs) are eligible to receive a need-based application fee waiver. The application system will automatically apply this fee waiver based on the citizenship you select during the application process. Please note that international applicants from countries not included in the United Nations' list of LDCs will not qualify for this fee waiver. As of October 2026, currently eligible countries are: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, and Zambia.

What application materials are needed?  

An application form, an unofficial transcript of your entire collegiate record (official transcript only required after admission), and at least two letters of recommendation. International applicants must also submit results of a recent English proficiency exam. Detailed guidelines for each component are as follows:

Application: Your statement of interest is critical. It tells us about your motivations for applying for graduate studies, your relevant education and experience, your future research interests, and the faculty with whom you wish to work. It is OK to not have a specific research plan, but expressing your interests is very important for us to properly route your application to the appropriate faculty members.

GRE scores: We do not require, nor do we accept, submission of GRE scores.

Letters of recommendation: We recommend letters primarily from faculty and researchers who know you well and can comment on your readiness for graduate-level coursework and research. Letters from employers may be useful for applicants with significant work experience after undergraduate studies.

English proficiency exam: If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English, or you do not have an undergraduate degree from an institution in which English was the primary language of instruction, you must submit results of a recent examination completed within two years of the application deadline. We accept any of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, or DET (Duolingo English Test). Recommended scores are listed at this website maintained by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The admissions committee considers all applications, regardless of scores on these exams.

What grades are required for an application to be competitive?  

The Graduate School requires a “B” average grade over the last two years of your degree program. We will consider your transcript holistically, including the breadth and depth of math and science courses related to your proposed course of study.

What type of undergraduate degree is required for admission?   

Applicants selected for our program typically have a strong undergraduate transcript that includes a broad base of science and math classes relevant to their field of study. We do not require any specific undergraduate degree, and admitted students typically have a range of undergraduate majors across science and engineering.

When are admissions decisions made? 

We begin considering applications immediately after the application deadline, and start issuing admissions decisions in early February. This is a rolling process that often extends through March. All admissions decisions are finalized and all applicants are notified by April 1. Formal acceptance letters are sent by the Graduate School along with detailed information about financial aid. 

What is the deadline to notify UVA of my decision? 

UVA is a party to a nationwide agreement among universities that does not require a decision to accept or decline a position before April 15. As soon as you have made a decision regarding an admissions offer, however, please let us know.

Does admission come with a financial aid guarantee?  

Admission to our M.S. and Ph.D. programs comes with financial aid including stipend, tuition, and health insurance. Detailed information is available at this website. Funding for incoming graduate students is typically a combination of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) and Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs). GTAs come from the Department and typically entail teaching one lab section a week (10 hours/week).  GRAs are funded by research grants to an individual faculty member, who is usually your primary advisor and determines the corresponding research duties for the assistantship. All students who apply by January 15 are considered for additional fellowship support provided by the University. The duration of funding guarantees is specified in the offer letter.

Admission to the M.A. program does not include financial aid. M.A. students are responsible for covering their own tuition, health insurance and living expenses.

What is the current stipend?  

Current (2026-27) graduate stipends are $37,260 the academic year and full-time research in the summer, and subject to satisfactory completion of research and teaching duties as specified in the offer letter. Students are particularly encouraged to discuss expectations regarding summer research with their prospective faculty adviser. Special fellowships may provide additional stipend support.

Where do graduate students live? 

Most students live off-Grounds in shared apartments or houses. Admitted students typically make these arrangements in the spring prior to enrolling.

What jobs can I get with a graduate degree in Environmental Sciences? 

Our graduates benefit from a rigorous interdisciplinary training with emphasis on research, and the connectivity of our faculty to national and international research communities in environmental sciences. Students who successfully complete our degree programs have a strong record of job placement. Ph.D. students often find employment in universities and colleges, federal laboratories and agencies, and research institutes. M.S. students find employment in federal and state laboratories and agencies, in foundations, and in private industry. Examples include USGS, NASA, NOAA, EPA, and DOE national laboratories at the national level. M.A. students commonly pursue environmental careers in the private and non-profit sectors.

Whom do I contact with any questions that are not addressed here? 

The Director of Graduate Admissions for 2026-2027 is Prof. Ajay Limaye (ajay@virginia.edu). Please note that while we are happy to assist you, we request you carefully review this document before getting in touch.