Graduate admissions
Future graduate students
How to apply
Thank you for your interest in applying for a graduate degree from the School of Sustainability.
Students must meet ASU’s Graduate College requirements.
The School of Sustainability also requires supplemental application materials. Those requirements vary by program and are outlined below.
To begin, apply directly to the ASU Graduate Application.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback about individual applications and we cannot disclose why an applicant was not admitted.
MA, MS and PhD in sustainability
The following information pertains to the PhD, MA and, MS in sustainability and, the PhD in sustainable energy, and the Master of Science in global sustainability science.
- Campus options: ASU Tempe campus
- Admission to: Fall semester only
- Complete application deadline: December 15th of the preceding year
- Recommended submission deadline: November 15th of the preceding year
- GPA requirement: Equivalent to 3.25 on a 4.00 scale*
- Application includes: Educational history, resume/CV, and statement of intent (see Application Requirements for details)
- Supplementary requirements: Transcripts and 3 letters of recommendation
- GRE requirements: GRE scores are not required for admission
- Faculty mentors: Applicants should list 3-5 faculty members on the application with whom they would like to work while in the program – applicants are strongly advised to contact those faculty members during the application process.
Master of Sustainability Solutions (MSUS)
The following information pertains to the Master of Sustainability Solutions (MSUS).
- Campus options: ASU Tempe campus
- Admission to: Fall semester only
- Complete application deadline: March 1st (applications may be accepted after the deadline as space permits)
- Recommended submission deadline: February 1st
- GPA Requirement: Equivalent to 3.00 on a 4.00 scale*
- Application includes: Educational history, resume/CV, and statement of intent (see Application Requirements for details)
- Supplementary requirements: Transcripts and 3 letters of recommendation
- GRE requirements: GRE scores are not required for admission
Master of Sustainability Leadership (MSL)
The following information pertains to the Master of Sustainability Leadership (MSL).
- Campus options: ASU Online
- Admission to: Fall and spring semester
- Complete application deadlines: August 1st for fall semester, or December 15th of the preceding year for spring admission
- Recommended submission deadline: All materials, transcripts and test scores (English proficiency if required), must be viewable to the department by the deadline. Processing can take up to 48 hours from time of submission. We recommend applicants submit the application and supporting materials at least one month prior to the deadline to allow sufficient processing time for materials and review by the Committee. Applications received after the deadline for any reason will not be considered.
- GPA Recommendation: Equivalent to 3.00 on a 4.00 scale**
- Application includes: Educational history, resume/CV, and statement of intent (see Application Requirements for details)
Executive Master of Sustainability Leadership (EMSL)
The following information pertains to the Executive Master of Sustainability Leadership (EMSL).
- Campus options: ASU Online
- Admission to: Fall semester
- Complete application deadline: August 1, however, we encourage applicants to apply by June 1.
- Recommended submission deadline: All materials, including letters of recommendation, transcripts and test scores (English proficiency if required), must be visible to the department by the deadline (please allow 24-48 hours processing time after submission). Processing can take up to 48 hours from time of submission. We recommend applicants submit the application and supporting materials at least one month prior to the deadline to allow sufficient processing time for materials and review by the Committee. Applications received after the deadline for any reason will not be considered.
- GPA Recommendation: Equivalent to 3.00 on a 4.00 scale**
- Application includes: 2 letters of recommendation, educational history, resume/CV, and personal statement (see Application Requirements for details)
Master of Science in sustainable food systems
The following information pertains to the Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems.
- Campus options: ASU Online
- Admission to: Fall semester only
- Complete application deadline: June 1
- GPA requirement: Equivalent to 3.00 on a 4.00 scale*
- Application includes: Educational history, resume/CV, and statement of intent (see Application Requirements for details)
- Supplementary requirements: Transcripts and 2 letters of recommendation
- Recommended experience: At least 2 years of professional experience related to food and agriculture
* GPA requirements may be fulfilled with cumulative undergraduate GPA, junior-senior undergraduate GPA (most recent 60 credits), or graduate GPA. Applicants whose institutions use a different scale should enter their GPA as it is calculated by the institution. Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement may be considered, but they must submit a GPA Petition.
GPA Petition: Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement for the MA, MS, MSUS, or PhD programs should submit a complete application file and email a brief justification to [email protected] before the deadline. This email should be formatted as a letter and outline why the application should be given consideration. The subject line should include “GPA Petition” and the email should include the applicant’s full name and the program to which he/she has applied. Shortly after the application deadline, the School of Sustainability will review the justification in the petition and make a decision whether to review the application. Applicants will be informed of the decision shortly thereafter.
** Applicants to the MSL or EMSL programs who have a lower than recommended GPA are not required to complete a GPA petition.
ASU Graduate College requirements
Graduate College requirements
All applicants must meet the basic requirements of the Graduate College.
- Application: ASU uses a generic application for all graduate admissions.
- $70 application fee for domestic applicants and $115 application fee for international applicants who require a student visa. The application fee is $90 for international applicants who do not require a visa (primarily online students). Applications submitted without the fee will not be processed or reviewed. In addition to the normal application fee, a $50 non-refundable late processing fee will be charged for all applications submitted on or after the dates posted for session C on the Graduate College website.
- Official copy of transcripts. Students must provide transcripts from each university or college they have attended (ASU transcripts do not need to be sent. They may upload copies of their transcripts as part of the online application. Any transcripts not uploaded Unofficial copies will not be accepted. Students must provide transcripts from each university or college they have attended (ASU transcripts do not need to be sent). They may upload copies of their transcripts as part of the online application. Any transcripts not uploaded must be sent separate from the online application; only official copies will be accepted. Official transcripts may be provided by the issuing institutions via an approved online clearinghouse or sent from the issuing institutions in sealed envelopes, stamped and verified by the issuing institutions. See Transcripts for Admission to ASU for more information.
If sending by U.S. mail send transcripts to:
Arizona State University
Graduate Admission Services
PO Box 871004
Tempe, AZ 85287-1004
If sending by FedEx, DHL or UPS send to:
Arizona State University
Graduate Admission Services
1150 East University Drive Building C, Room 226
Tempe, AZ 85281 - U.S. bachelor’s degree: Or the equivalent from a regionally accredited institution, or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an international institution officially recognized by the country in which the institution is located. If the student is completing a bachelor’s degree, a transcript will need to be sent both at the time of application and upon completion of the degree.
- Equivalent to a B average: (Applies to the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate coursework.) Students not meeting the minimum GPA requirement may still be considered, although the School may require additional documents that support the case for admission. (See program specific GPA requirements.)
- Proof of English proficiency: International graduate applicants must demonstrate English proficiency before admission; see ASU’s guide to English proficiency for international applicants for the many ways in which applicants may demonstrate proficiency. The School of Sustainability requires the equivalent of a 100 on the TOEFL iBT for admission.
- Proof of measles immunization: Documentation must be submitted to Student Health; see our Immunization Verification page. This is not necessary when applying to the program, but must be on file before enrolling in courses.
All application materials submitted to Graduate College will be forwarded to the School of Sustainability.
Students must meet ASU’s Graduate College Requirements and complete the online application.