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EEPS Graduate Program

Are you passionate about unearthing the secrets of our planet and beyond?

Washington University's Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences is a vibrant academic community committed to advancing understanding of the Earth, its environmental systems, and the extraterrestrial bodies that populate our solar system. Immerse yourself in science, and conduct research with our field-leading experts. Whether you're analyzing the impact of climate change, investigating complex geological processes, exploring the potential for life beyond Earth, participating in robotic space missions, or working with petabytes of geospatial data, our Department will empower your scientific discovery and help you launch your career.

Your journey begins here.

Click the link below and provide us your contact information to receive information about our program, its resources, and the steps you need to take to apply. We will not share your contact information outside of our Department.

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EEPS Graduate Program Overview

PhD program

Join our highly acclaimed, fully-funded five-year Ph.D. program in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences and kick-start your research career with specialized technical and professional training.

Your first year in the program sets the foundation. You’ll identify a research mentor, embark on advanced coursework, initiate your research, form your Research Advisory Committee, and execute a first-year research project in your field of interest.

You’ll continue into your second year with more comprehensive courses, advanced research, and committee meetings. At the end of the second year, successfully passing your qualification exam will demonstrate that you’re capable of independent research. At this point you’ll be awarded a master’s degree.

In years three to five, you’ll immerse yourself in cutting-edge research in your chosen field, culminating in a dissertation defense at the end of your fifth year.

Throughout your journey, you’ll benefit from mentorship, research funding, and opportunities to travel for fieldwork, research, and presenting your findings at international conferences.

A detailed description of program requirements can be found here.

Graduate Application Requirements

Transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate programs

Three recommendation letters

Resume or C.V.

Constructed responses to application questions

Applications for Fall 2025 will open September 1st, 2024. The deadline to submit your application is December 1st, 2024.

Visit the Office of Graduate Studies

More Application Information

You can find answers to common questions about applications in our Graduate School FAQ
For those choosing to submit GRE scores, please use WashU's school code 6929 and the department code 0806. However, please note that GRE scores are optional.
If you're submitting official TOEFL scores, please send them through ETS using WashU's school code 6929 and the TOEFL department code 71.
For inquiries about application fee waivers, please email artscigradadmissions@wustl.edu.

Graduate Program Contacts

For general inquiries, contact Erin Marshall.
For questions about the application process and requirements, contact Mike Krawczynski, Graduate Admissions Coordinator.
For questions about the graduate academic program, contact Alex Bradley, Director of Graduate Studies.