Environmental Systems M.S. Application Information

Application Information

1) Complete the California State University Graduate Application online at Cal State Apply. A $70.00 application fee is required at time of application.

2) Have three letters of recommendation submitted by people who are well prepared to evaluate your potential to succeed as a graduate student. At least one of these letters (and preferably two or three) should be from a former university instructor who may judge your promise as a graduate student. Applicants should have their recommenders submit letters through the Cal State Apply system.

3) Contact ALL previous universities/colleges that you have attended and your current university/college and arrange for each of them to send an OFFICIAL transcript to Cal Poly Humboldt using the address indicated below. Official transcripts must arrive in their original sealed envelope.

Cal Poly Humboldt 

Office of Graduate Admissions 

1 Harpst Street

Arcata, CA 95521

You can follow your application status by:

• Checking your Student Services Center. Approximately two weeks after application submission, you will receive a Posted letter with your Humboldt Student ID and Log-In Information.
• Contacting the College of Natural Resources & Sciences to check on the status of your application.
• If you are denied admission and disagree with the decision, please contact the relevant Environmental Systems Graduate Program option coordinator directly.

International Students

If you are an international student applicant, please visit the International Prospective Graduate Students webpage for information about how to apply. Please note that most international students must submit proof of English language proficiency in the form of official test scores. This requirement may be waived in cases where the applicant has a prior degree from a university where English was the primary language of instruction. For a list of acceptable examinations and minimum scores visit this page. Official English scores and foreign academic transcripts should be submitted to:

International Student Admissions

Cal Poly Humboldt

1 Harpst St.

Arcata, CA 95521-8299

USA

Academic transcripts not prepared in English should be accompanied by a certified translation. 

Other Requirements

You will also be required to submit transcripts from your previous colleges, names and email addresses of three references, a detailed statement of purpose and a current resume.

1. Official Transcripts

One official transcript is required from any college or university you have ever attended. They must be sent directly to Graduate Admissions (address below). Official transcripts must be in their original sealed envelope.

Cal Poly Humboldt 

Office of Graduate Admissions 

1 Harpst Street, 

Arcata CA 95521

Transcript Exceptions

• Humboldt transcripts: You do not need to request transcripts for any work completed at Cal Poly Humboldt.
• If you were enrolled at Humboldt as a regular matriculated student within the past 5 years we will still have your file, so you do not need to request a transcript for college work completed elsewhere unless you completed that college work after you left Humboldt.

2. Statement of Purpose & Current Resume

Upload a current resume and a carefully written application essay using the "Statement of Purpose" upload link in the Cal State Apply system. Your statement should:

(a) identify the option to which you are applying (ERE, ETaP, or GEOL)

(b) express your reasons for pursuing a MS degree; and

(c) identify potential research areas and mentor(s) that are of interest to you.

The essay should be approximately 500 words in length. Note that we use the application essay to evaluate the written communication skills of each applicant, so it is important to review and edit the document to ensure that the writing, grammar, punctuation, and formatting are reflective of your writing skills.

Deadlines for Submission of Application Materials

All application materials should be submitted during the appropriate initial application filing period.

Fall Semester Admission

The priority application period for Graduate programs is October 1 through February 1.  We strongly encourage applicants to submit materials no later than January 15, and applications should be fully complete by February 1. Completed applications, with all materials received in the Admissions office by February 1, will be given priority consideration by the graduate program. Applications for which required materials arrive at the Admissions office after February 1 may subsequently be considered in the order received. 

Applications submitted after the filing period may be considered at the discretion of the respective option on a first-come, first-served basis according to space availability. A late completion fee (currently $25) may be imposed.

Spring Semester Admission

The Environmental Systems graduate program generally does not accept applications for spring semester admission, although exceptions may rarely be considered on a case-by-case basis. Inquiries may be made the graduate coordinator of the respective program. In cases that an application for spring semester admission is considered for review, the due date for all application materials is October 1.