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HOW TO APPLY TO SOIL, WATER,
AND ECOSYSTEM SCIENCES
GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Students currently holding an undergraduate degree (MS applicants) or a graduate degree (PhD applicants) are welcome to apply to our diverse range of available graduate programs. In addition to our traditional research-based MS-thesis and PhD degrees, we also offer a distance education-based MS-non-thesis degree.  This degree option focuses on coursework and synthesis of existing research. Students may also select graduate concentrations in Agroecology, climate science, geographical information systems, global systems agroecology (PhD only), hydrologic sciences, research methods, tropical conservation and development, and wetland sciences.  Note that all coursework required for some of these concentrations may not be available to DE students.  Before you apply, please review our Graduate Program Overview, Departmental Research Areas, Faculty pages, and/or our Distance Education pages to get an idea of your areas of potential interest.

Assistantships are available on a competitive basis for outstanding new graduate students in Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (see Funding Opportunities for more information). Application to the graduate program automatically qualifies you for funding consideration, provided you have included the Application for Assistantship with your application documents. SWES has several fellowships and matching assistantships that are awarded by the college/department for a start date in the Fall semester. Prospective students must be nominated by their prospective major advisor to be considered.  In addition, many graduate assistantships sponsored by research grants are available throughout the year.  These are controlled by individual faculty.  Contact prospective major advisors to learn more about the availability of funding, including deadlines for those opportunities. Distance education and non-thesis MS students are generally not supported by departmental or faculty funding; however, they are eligible for competitive departmental scholarships, which range between $500 and $1,000.

To be considered for departmentally-controlled/awarded funding opportunities with a start date of Fall semester, all application materials should be on file by January 2nd.

Critical Dates for Completing Application Packets
for Admission into Graduate Programs

Master of Science & Doctor of Philosophy in Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences

The semester you want to start Date application materials must be on file for domestic studentsa Date application materials must be on file for international studentsab
Fall July 1st April 15th
Spring October 1st September 1st
Summer April 1st January 1st

Notes:  

a To be admitted into our PhD and MS - thesis graduate program, a SWES faculty member must agree to serve as your advisor and support your research (with funding). We recommend securing a faculty advisor before you apply. Distance Education (online MS) students may apply without having a SWES faculty member secured as their advisor.   

b The earlier application dates for international students are due to additional processing and review of documents, which must be done prior to the Department requesting I-20 Certificate of Eligibility form for having a Visa issued before the beginning of the semester.   

Please plan accordingly.

Critical Dates for Completing Application Packets
for Admission into MS Distance Education Graduate Program

The semester you want to start Date application materials must be on file 
Fall July 1st
Spring November 1st
Summer April 1st

If you have any questions about the graduate application process or the status of your application packet, please e-mail: Student Services or the faculty member you have been corresponding with in regards to your graduate application.

Important Note: GRE Scores Are No Longer Required For MS or PHD Applicants To Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Graduate Program.

U.S. Applicant International Applicant
Online Application ($30 App Fee - SWES Does Not Offer Application Fee Waivers) Online Application ($30 App Fee - SWES Does Not Offer Application Fee Waivers)
Statement of Purpose (Included In Online Application) Statement of Purpose (Included In Online Application)
(3) Letters of Recommendation *Link To Paper Form For Information Purposes Only, Please Request Recommendation Letters In Online Graduate Application* (3) Letters of Recommendation *Link To Paper Form For Information Purposes Only, Please Request Recommendation Letters In Online Graduate Application*
For The Purpose Of Initial Review, The Office of Admissions Requires Unofficial Transcripts From Each Postsecondary Institution Attended. These Can Be Uploaded Through Your Application Status page. Official TOEFL Scores sent from ETS or IELTS Scores (School code: 5812). *See TOEFL Requirements & Exemptions
Applicants Who Receive An Offer Of Admissions Must Arrange To Have Official Transcripts Sent To The UF Office of Admissions From Each Postsecondary Institution Attended. If You Attended UF As Your Postsecondary Institution, You Do Not Have To Order A Transcript From The Office Of The University Registrar. Official Transcripts Can Be Sent To UF In Two Ways: Paper Transcript Received By UF In A Sealed Envelope Or Electronic Transcripts Sent From Your Institution Directly To UF, Which Can Save Up To Two Weeks Response Time. UF Accepts Electronic Transcripts Through FASTER, Parchment, National Student Clearing House, ScribbleSoft, e-Scrip Safe, Credential Solutions, SCOIR or Transcripts Plus.  For more info, click here: Academic Credentials For The Purpose Of Initial Review, The Office of Admissions Accepts Unofficial Academic Credentials. These Can Be Uploaded Through Your Application Status Page.  Make Sure To Upload Copies In The Native Language Of Each Transcript, Mark Sheets, And Diploma/Degree Certificate From Each Postsecondary University Or College attended, Along With certified, Literal (Exact) English Translations For Documents Not Originally Issued In English Language Into Your Online Graduate Application. 

Application for Assistantship/Fellowship
Can Be Uploaded Into Online Graduate Application or You Can Complete, Print, Sign, Scan as PDF and Send To Student Services. 

Important Note: You Can List The Same Recommenders Who Are Completing For Your Graduate Application On The Form, Separate Letters Are Not Needed.

 Applicants Who Receive An Offer of Admission: Mail an Official Copy in the Native Language of Each Transcript, Mark Sheet and Diploma/Degree Certificate from Each University or College Attended, Along with Certified, Literal (Exact) English Translations for Documents Not Originally Issued in English to UF Office of Graduate Admissions - 201 Criser Hall - PO Box 114000 -Gainesville, FL 32611-4000. For more info, click here: Academic Credentials

CV/Resume (Upload In Online Grad App)

“Pursuant to Florida Statute, Your Application Requires Inclusion Of All Post-High School Education And Employment, As Well As Information About Ongoing International Affiliations And Research Funding. Please Ensure This Information Is Included On Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé.”

Application for Assistantship/Fellowship
Can Be Uploaded Into Online Graduate Application or You Can Complete, Print, Sign, Scan as PDF and Send To Student Services. 

Important Note: You Can List The Same Recommenders Who Are Completing For Your Graduate Application On The Form, Separate Letters Are Not Needed.
 

CV/Resume (Upload In Online Grad App)

“Pursuant to Florida Statute, Your Application Requires Inclusion Of All Post-High School Education And Employment, As Well As Information About Ongoing International Affiliations And Research Funding. Please Ensure This Information Is Included On Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé.”

A minimum 3.0 GPA is required by UF Admissions. In addition, there are some additional requirements for international applicants. 

Who Should I Contact?