Doctor of Philosophy in Geology

Apply Now

Program Link:
https://environment.wsu.edu/graduate-studies/phd/
Program Handbook:
https://environment.wsu.edu/graduate-handbook/
Student Learning Outcomes:
https://environment.wsu.edu/graduate-studies/
Total Graduate Faculty in Program:
21
Total Core Graduate Faculty in Program:
34
Graduate Students in Program:
9
Students Receiving Assistantships:
9
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall January 10th
  • Spring September 15th

Campus:

  • Pullman

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

  • 600 TOEFL Minimum score
  • 100 TOEFLI (internet) Minimum score
  • 250 TOEFL (computer) Minimum score

Additional Degree Program Admission Requirements

  • GRE No

Degree Description:

Ph.D. research in Geology focuses on fundamental questions in the Earth Science Sciences ranging from how Earth formed, how it has evolved through time, and how it operates and is changing today.

The Ph.D. in Geology often involves extensive fieldwork and prepares students for both academic and other professional careers in a broad variety of geoscience fields including geomorphology, field geology, groundwater and hydrogeology, sedimentology, geochemistry and geophysics, mineralogy and petrology, plate tectonics, volcanology, and the geospatial exploration of Earth and other planetary bodies.

Our geologists and geoscientists leverage NASA and NSF-funded research to explore both terrestrial and planetary geosciences using our in-house, cutting-edge analytical laboratories (see: Radiogenic Isotope & Geochronology Laboratory and the Peter Hooper GeoAnalytical Lab).

Specializations are offered in:

  • Sedimentology-Stratigraphy
  • Structural geology – Tectonics
  • Mineralogy-Petrology-Geochemistry
  • Hydrogeology-biochemistry
  • Geophysics-Geodynamics

If you are interested in pursuing an Ph.D. in Geology in SoE and being mentored by one of our faculty members, begin by first visiting their website and contacting them directly.

Admission Requirements:

If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree under the advisement of one of our faculty members, start by visiting their website and contacting them directly.

To be considered for admission, you will first need to reach out to a potential faculty advisor and gain their support for your admission into your intended SOE degree.

The School of the Environment does not consider graduate applicants who have not secured a faculty advisor before applying, so please do not apply to one of our graduate degrees without first doing this step.

If you have reached out to a potential faculty advisor without securing their support, you will need to wait to apply until you have found an advisor and secured their support.

After You’ve Secured A Faculty Advisor

To apply to any of our campus locations, submit your application to the Graduate School at Washington State University (which is located at the Pullman Campus).

School of the Environment Graduate Admission Requirements:

  • A grade point average equivalent to a U.S. grade of “B” (3.0) or better is required
  • BA/BS degree in a related field (some prerequisite course work may be completed after admissions)
  • GRE tests requirement are waived until further notice.  If the application will not submit with blank boxes input 999 as a placeholder.
  • International applicants must have official TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores submitted directly to the Graduate School (school code 4705) from the testing services. Check English proficiency requirements for specific test score requirements and exceptions to this requirement
  • Interested applicants will need to reach out to a potential graduate faculty member before applying to the Graduate School. A list of faculty can be found here. Admission into our graduate program is dependent upon a faculty member’s willingness to act as the student’s advisor in addition to basic academic requirements.

Applicants must submit the completed application form with the Graduate School required fee of $75. Applications must include a statement of professional goals, official transcripts of previous college work, and provide names, addresses, emails, and positions of three references (for letters of recommendation) supporting your application.

Applications for state/federally funded assistantships (if available) are evaluated starting in late January, with the first offers of admission sent around February for Fall admission. Applications for the Spring semester are evaluated starting on October 1, with the first acceptance notifications sent around November 1.

Questions about the admission process should be sent to Denise.Bickford@wsu.edu.

Contact Information: