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Graduate admissions

Future graduate students

How to apply

Thank you for your interest in applying for a graduate degree from the School of Sustainability.
Applicants must meet ASU’s Graduate College requirements as well as the School of Sustainability requirements.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = “A”) in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor’s degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = “A”) in an applicable master’s degree program.

An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. International students should consult the International Graduate Admissions site for more information on this and other requirements.

To begin, apply directly to the ASU Graduate Application.

Application Requirements for all programs

All applicants to the School of Sustainability must submit:

  1. Graduate admission application and application fee
  2. Official transcripts
  3. Letters of recommendation
  4. Statement of intent/personal statement
  5. Resume or curriculum vitae
  6. Proof of English proficiency

No graduate degree programs in the School of Sustainability require the GRE.

Individual programs have specific requirements for minimum GPA, number of required letters of recommendation, and format of the statement of intent/personal statement. Those requirements vary by program and are outlined below.

ASU Graduate College requirements

MA, MS and PhD in sustainability

The following information pertains to the PhD, MA and, MS in sustainability and, the PhD in sustainable energy.

  • Campus: Tempe 
  • Admission: Fall semester
  • Complete application deadline: December 15th
  • Priority deadline: November 15th
  • GPA requirement: Equivalent to 3.25 on a 4.00 scale*
  • Letters of recommendation: Three letters from professors or academic contacts are recommended – all letters should address the applicant’s academic and professional achievements and capacity for research
  • Statement of Intent: In 600 words, applicants should describe how their background will contribute to success in the program; how completion of the degree will support long-term career goals; key research questions they wish to address or problems to solve as part of the plan of study; and identify potential faculty advisors.
  • 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: Tempe
  • Admission to: Fall semester
  • Complete application deadline: March 1st (applications may be accepted after the deadline as space permits)
  • Priority submission deadline: February 1st
  • GPA Requirement: Equivalent to 3.00 on a 4.00 scale*
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) – Letters may be from professional or academic sources, but should address the applicant’s preparation for graduate work.
  • Statement of Intent: In 400 words, describe how completion of the MSUS degree will support your long-term career aspirations, explain how your background will contribute to your success in the program, and identify the resources available in the School of Sustainability that will enable you to achieve your goals.
  • Sustainability Issue Statement: In 400 words, identify a specific issue or problem in the field of sustainability and explain why it is important to address this issue or solve this problem.

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)
Application requirements

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)
Application requirements

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
Application requirements

* 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.