Graduate Programs

UAF students comprise a diverse group who ultimately seek and obtain careers in economic geology, petroleum
industry,  or continue their education in graduate school, and seek careers in academia. The department offers two
graduate degree programs: MS in Earth system Science,  and PhD in Earth system Science.

Upholding our commitment to college access

 

MS/PhD - Earth System Science

Students working on a graduate degree in Earth System Science can specialize in one of the following areas of concentration in the department: Cryosphere, Geoscience, Geospatial Science or Solid Earth Geophysics.  Additional concentrations are also available. Detailed information about the degree requirements for MS and PhD degrees in Earth System Science can be found in the UAF Catalog:

Earth System Science Degree Programs

Graduate Admissions

Admission to our graduate program is restricted on the basis of:

  1. Meeting the admissions requirements for the appropriate Earth System Science concentration.
               a. Geoscience: complete a background at least to the level of a B.S.  concentration in geology, geophysics or earth science
               b. Cryosphere and Solid Earth Geophysics: 1 year calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra (recommended: partial differential equations, computational physics)               
  2. A 3.0 minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA.
  3. Faculty interest and availability of funding.
  4. Completion and submission of all required application materials.

Application deadline for admittance into the fall semester is January 15

Steps to take when applying for our graduate program

  1. Apply to UAF through the Office of Admissions
    A formal application for admission to graduate school, along with the application fee.  You may apply online at 
    UAOnline  or Office of Admissions.  The Graduate School is a great resource for prospective and
    current students.  UAF Graduate School
  2. Make contact with  faculty and collaborating faculty members in an area of your interest.
    Introduce yourself, let them know of your research interests and your pending application.
  3. Make contact with the Department of Geosciences
    Send an e-mail to: uaf-geosciences@alaska.edu and let the Department know that you have applied for
    Graduate School for the upcoming semester. Please list your name, contact e-mail address, and what program you have applied for. This will  aid the Department in assisting you through the application process. Remember, those applications that are completed first will usually be the first to be looked at during the application reviews.
  4. Department GRE testing waiver.
    The Department of Geosciences has waived the GRE score requirement.
  5. Complete and submit the following documents
    • ESS Summary form  This is a departmental form and one of the first items looked at during the review process. 
    • Statement of interest: an essay describing your interests and goals for study in geology/geophysics at UAF (see Preliminary Summary form). We recognize that your career goals may not be well defined at this point,
      but do your best. This will help us understand your expectations of a graduate program as well as to evaluate your ability to support your interests. This document is a listed requirement on the preliminary summary form and in the application portal.  Only one is needed.
    • Resume
    • Official transcripts of previous academic work from each college you attended. Please note, to be considered official, transcripts must arrive in sealed envelopes from each institution attended. You may also have your transcripts submitted electronically through a secure transcript service.  The department will review your application file with unofficial transcripts but if an offer is made to you the official transcripts must be received in the admissions office to process your admissions to UAF.
    • Three letters of recommendation from appropriate references.
    • Proof of English proficiency for international applicants via official TOEFL or IELTS scores.  For other options please visit the Admissions Office website, International, Requirements


All of these documents need to be uploaded into the application portal or mailed to:
Office of Admissions
University of Alaska Fairbanks
P. O. Box 757480
Fairbanks , Alaska 99775-7480
emailed to: uaf-admissions@alaska.edu

Funding Your Graduate Degree

Graduate student in the Department of Geosciences are generally supported through a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, scholarships, and graduate fellowships.

Research Assistantships (RAs) are typically paid by research grants  RAships are usually provided by your major advisor to help with grant-funded research. In general, open lines of communication with your advisor about financial and academic issues are important throughout your time as a graduate student. RAships include:
- a tuition waiver, for up to 10 credits per semester for courses related to your degree and approved by your advisor.
- a stipend paid bi-weekly
- student insurance 
- the payment of your UAF consolidated and Infrastructure fees
Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are paid by the department. TA positions are limited and initially requested by a new students advisor.  Going forward, each semester, graduate students in the department will receive an email to ask who would be interested in a TAship for the next semester.  Most of our graduate students TA for a year while earning their degree, but this is not a source of funding for the entire time. A new graduate student is admitted with an advisor and a plan to fund the degree.
TAships include:
- a tuition waiver, for up to 10 credits per semester for courses related to your degree and approved by your advisor.
- a stipend paid bi-weekly
- student insurance 
- the payment of your UAF consolidated and Infrastructure fees

Helpful links and contacts for the application process.

website UAF Office of Admissions
email uaf-admissions@alaska.edu
phone 907-474-7500 or -1-800-478-1823

website UAF Graduate School
email uaf-grad-admissions@alaska.edu
phone 907-474-7464

website UAF International Student and Scholar Services
email uaf-isss@alaska.edu