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Read below for instructions on how to apply.
Still weighing your options? Read about our different programs here.
Admissions Timelines
Admission deadlines depend on the intended semester of entry and whether you wish to be considered for the full range of funding options. Your application and all supplementary materials should be received by the relevant deadline to guarantee consideration. The table below summarizes the deadlines for each program.
MS and PhD students generally start in autumn semester due to course sequencing, but a spring semester start may be possible with the approval of your prospective faculty advisor. Funding options for a spring start are limited.
MENR and certificate applicants are welcome to apply for either an autumn or spring start.
| Term of Entry | Program | Deadlines |
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Autumn |
All programs (MS, PhD, MENR, and certificate) |
Domestic and International Students:
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Spring |
MS and PhD |
Domestic Students:
International Students:
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MENR |
Domestic Students:
International Students:
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Certificate |
Domestic Students:
International Students:
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Post-application timeline
See “What happens after I apply?” below for guidance on decision timelines and action you may have to take during the process.
Admissions Requirements
There are two sets of requirements for applicants to a graduate program at The Ohio State University: the general requirements set by the Ohio State Graduate School and the specific requirements set by the graduate program.
These requirements apply to all applicants:
- The equivalent of a four-year bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university. In-progress degrees are acceptable if you expect to earn the degree by the start date of your program.
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for the last bachelor's or advanced degree earned.
- Applicants below this cut-off may still be admitted under conditional admission, which will involve additional rigor in maintaining good academic standing during your first year of enrollment.
- Transcripts or other credentials documenting that you have completed prerequisite academic work.
- Documentation of all transcripts is required. Read more about how to satisfy the transcript requirement here.
- International students may have to complete additional requirements to complete the English proficiency requirement. Read about the English proficiency requirement here.
- Our program does not place additional English proficiency requirements above these requirements.
Read more about completing these requirements here.
Our programs have additional requirements that help us identify the strengths of candidates in relation to our programs’ expectations. Requirements shared by each of our programs are listed below. Additionally, each program has its own requirements: expand the boxes below to learn more about the requirements for admission.
- Common requirements
- Statement of Purpose
- Length: No more than 2 pages; double-spaced.
- Your statement of purpose is your opportunity to provide a narrative explaining your research and career goals and how they align with this program. An effective statement is clear, well-written, and expresses all of the following:
- academic preparedness for graduate study, including:
- highlights of your academic background
- relevant non-academic experiences such as internships or professional experience
- any research experience, especially if applying for the MS or PhD
- alignment with our graduate program, including:
- your motivation and source of enthusiasm for graduate study in this field
- career goals relevant to your intended degree
- MS/PhD applicants: alignment with one or more specific faculty members, especially your intended advisor
- personal characteristics that have been key to your academic achievement, especially times in which you have demonstrated resilience in your academic and non-academic experiences
- academic preparedness for graduate study, including:
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae: Standard format and length. Highlight your relevant experience, especially any relevant research, jobs, internships, or volunteer experiences.
- Statement of Purpose
Additional MS requirements
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- Letters should address an applicant’s academic abilities and suitability to pursue a research-based degree. References from instructors from your previous education are preferred as the best source of information about your potential success as a graduate student.
MS applications will not be reviewed in full without the endorsement of an ENRGP faculty member willing to serve as your faculty advisor. We encourage prospective students to contact potential advisors prior to applying so you can identify whether opportunities with faculty members are available before you complete an application. Read our guidance on finding a faculty advisor here.
Additional PhD requirements
PhD applicants will be considered for either the Regular-admit Track or the Direct-admit Track. Read more about these tracks here.
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- Regular-admit Track: One letter should come from your master's degree faculty advisor, and one should come from a member of your master's degree advisory committee. The third letter may come from any other reference, but instructors from your previous education are preferred as the best source of information about your potential success as a graduate student.
- Direct-admit track: Instructors from your previous education are preferred as the best source of information about your potential success as a graduate student. If one of your references is your intended PhD advisor, then you will need to include a fourth letter of recommendation.
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- Regular-admit Track: Upload a document providing a summary of the research done for your master’s degree.
- Direct-admit Track: Upload a statement highlighting your experience performing original research.
PhD applications will not be reviewed in full without the endorsement of an ENRGP faculty member willing to serve as your faculty advisor. We encourage prospective students to contact potential advisors prior to applying so you can identify whether opportunities with faculty members are available before you complete an application. Read our guidance on finding a faculty advisor here.
Additional MENR requirements
- For applicants with fewer than five years of professional experience, at least two of those letters should come from faculty members from your undergraduate program, and one letter should be from an immediate supervisor who can discuss your applicant’s professional experience and potential for advancement.
- Applicants with five or more years of professional experience should include at least one letter from an immediate supervisor who can discuss the applicant’s professional experience and potential for advancement; academic references are encouraged but not required.
- All letters should address an applicant’s suitability to pursue a graduate degree leading toward professional practice.
MENR applicants will be invited to discuss their interest in the program with an advisor to help determine your preparedness for the degree and whether the degree aligns with your professional goals. If you would like to arrange a meeting to discuss the program prior to applying, please contact us with information about your career goals so we can arrange a meeting.
Certificate applicants will be invited to discuss their interest in the program with an advisor to help determine whether the certificate aligns with your professional goals. If you would like to arrange a meeting prior to applying, please contact us with information about your career goals so we can arrange a meeting.
Follow the instructions on the admissions office website to start your online application and submit the required materials. You will receive an email with instructions for monitoring your application status after you apply.
Monitoring your application status
- After your application is submitted, you will have access to an online applicant center with an application checklist. Applicants are responsible for checking their status regularly to ensure that all required items have been received.
- On your checklist, items will show as "incomplete" until they are received and processed, which can take up to 5 business days (10 business days in high-volume periods), after which they will show as "complete." We strongly recommend that you submit materials as early as possible to account for processing time.
Whom can I contact with questions?
- For questions about technical problems with the application, the receipt of materials, transcripts, and the international applicant visa process, please contact the admissions office.
- For questions about the decision timeline, evaluation criteria, the program itself, please contact our program office.
Updating your materials
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If you submit any updated application materials (statement of purpose, letters, etc.), please notify us by sending an email to enrgrad@osu.edu, as we do not receive an automatic notification about updated materials.
When will I receive a decision?
- The Graduate Studies Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Your application status in your online portal will be changed after a decision is posted, and you will also receive an email from the admissions office.