Admission to the Geological Sciences graduate program is based on

previous academic record (undergraduate and graduate),
two or more letters of recommendation,
resume,
applicant essay (describing reasons for seeking a graduate degree, proposed areas of study, and relevant preparation), and,
for foreign applicants for whom English is not the first language, TOEFL scores (a minimum score of 600 on the paper-delivered test and a minimum score of 95 on the IBT exam must be achieved).
Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree by the time that they matriculate into the graduate program. The Department will consider qualified applicants without a degree in Earth Sciences, although additional course work or preparation may be required.

Students without a M.S. or equivalent degree may be considered for entrance to the Ph.D. program if they have exhibited outstanding performance through their previous academic and/or professional work, such that they have demonstrated the ability to engage in high-level research.