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Application Deadlines

Deadlines for Spring admission:

• The department begins to review applications and make decisions about teaching assistant awards for Spring admission after the following deadline:

  1. November 1 of note, Spring admissions have limited and non-guaranteed funding from the Graduate School for PhD applications.

  2. IMPORTANT: Our program will not have any new international student admissions for the Spring semesters.

Deadlines for Fall admission:

• The department begins to review applications and make decisions about research or teaching assistant awards for Fall admission after the following deadline:

  1. December 1 Early Admissions Deadline for International and Domestic applicants.

  2. February 1 Regular Deadline for International and Domestic applicants.

For both semesters, there may be special cases after the deadlines that will merit review for admission and funding.

Admission Requirements

A complete application to the graduate program requires:

• Official transcripts

• Statement of purpose

• GRE scores 

• Three letters of recommendation

• Application fee (no waivers available)

This application packet is reviewed for admission and funding for Research and Teaching Assistantships by the faculty graduate committee. A separate application for a Teaching or Research Assistantship is not needed.

A minimum TOEFL score of 213 (550 or higher on paper based TOEFL; minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS; minimum score of 79 on the IBT - Internet Based - TOEFL) is required for international applicants whose first language is not English or who have not completed a university degree in the U.S. or other English-Speaking institution.

Credit Hour Requirements

The Master of Science program has a 30-hour requirement (including Thesis I and Thesis II) as well as additional enrollment in Seminar every semester. 

The Ph.D. program has a 60-hour requirement (including Dissertation I and Dissertation II) which may include up to 30 hours transferred from a master's program (tuition remission reduced, see rules) earned up to 6 years prior to entering the Ph.D. program. In addition, students will also be required to register for Geology Seminar hours every semester (4 semesters total). 

For course descriptions search the Â鶹¹ÙÍø's 

Thesis and Dissertation

Every advanced degree requires the writing of a thesis or dissertation. This requires original research performed in close coordination with your advisor.

Master's students need to submit their proposal before the start of their 3rd semester before they are allowed to register for thesis hours.

Ph.D. students must submit and defend their proposal by the 5th semester before they can register for dissertation hours.

A complete thesis/dissertation proposal must include:

• Thesis/dissertation signature page

• Abstract

• Proposal (refer to guidelines)

Comprehensive (Qualifying) Exams

Ph.D. Students are required to take an oral exam (COMP I) covering general topics and also reflecting on the student's area of specialty.  The Graduate committee for this exam generally consists of people from whom you have had courses previously. Students must complete this exam by their 3rd semester in the program. The second milestone is to complete your dissertation proposal and have it approved by the faculty at your scheduled proposal defense (COMP II). These exams are required prior to enrolling in Dissertation Study Hours. Keep in mind that Tuition Remission offered by the Graduate School is designed to help students move efficiently through their program to graduation.

Funding for students who enter a doctoral program with no existing graduate credit will cover:

1. Up to 9 semester credit hours each fall and spring semesters during their first three years of doctoral study.

2. 3 semester credit hours each fall and spring semesters during their fourth year of doctoral study.

Students in their fifth year can also receive tuition remission for 3 semester credit hours each fall and spring semesters, depending on progress towards degree and availability of funds.

Funding for students who enter a doctoral program with existing graduate credit will be reduced commensurate with the amount of credit earned and applicability to doctoral degree. /graduate/funding/doctoral-tuition-remission.html

Progress Reports

In addition to the above-mentioned, Ph.D. students are required to have an annual meeting with their committee to record and plan their progress toward completion of their degree. Incoming students are required to turn in the Milestone Agreement, returning students will turn in an Individualized Development Plan (IDP) with the appropriate signatures. /graduate/forms.html

GO MINERS!