Geography (M.S., Ph.D.)
Requirements
Education Level: Bachelor's
GPA: 3.0
GRE: No
TOEFL/IELTS: 79/6.5
Number of References: 3
Other Req.: No
Availabilities
Terms: Fall, Spring or Summer
Location: Moscow
Thesis Option: Thesis and Non-thesis
Deadlines: View U of I deadlines
Expedited Admission: Yes (Former U of I only, non-thesis only)
Program Contacts
Renee Jensen-Hasfurther
Phone: 208-885-6216
Director of Graduate Studies:
Thomas Williams
Email: tomw@uidaho.edu
Applicants must have a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 grade scale equivalent to U.S. bachelor’s degree. If your GPA meets the minimum admission requirements, the department of major will determine if your overall academic record and test scores meet department requirements.
Note: If you do not meet the minimum 3.00 GPA, your application can be considered for admission if you:
- Earned an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for your last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits.
OR
- Worked in the program specific profession for 5+ years.
- Obtained a letter of support from a faculty member in the department.
- Wrote a detailed statement/essay describing your professional experience and potential to succeed academically
All graduate school applicants must satisfy the following criteria to be considered for graduate admission to the University of Idaho:
Have earned a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized accrediting body, a ministry of education, or an official quality assurance organization in another country. The bachelor's degree should consist of four years of study, equivalent to 120 semester credit hours or 180 quarter hours.
An official academic record from all post-secondary education institutions attended is required. This may take some time so start this early in your application process.
In the instance that official records cannot be obtained, unofficial records may be used to consider your application. These documents are typically issued to the student and may be considered official after further review. This applies to cases where it is impossible to obtain the official records, and will be considered only on a case by case basis.
Domestic Applicants
Students must have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association. If the degree is from a recognized but not regionally accredited institution, the application will be reviewed by the department and by the College of Graduate Studies.
International Applicants
For information about equivalency and required academic credentials by country of education page, use the Degree Equivalency Guide.
The University of Idaho recommends, and reserves the right to require, a professional credential evaluation by an outside, independent party. Reasons for outside review include, but are not limited to, verification of document authenticity, potential transfer credits and the wish to expedite the processing of an application file. You are responsible for supplying the correct academic records and paying for the evaluation service. You will need to request a course-by-course evaluation. Transferring Internationally earned credits requires a course-by-course professional credential evaluation.
The preferred provider of transcript evaluations is:
There is a list of the five services from which the University of Idaho will accept evaluations.
Precise, word-for-word, English translations are required for all foreign language documents.
The following are accepted as proof of English Language Proficiency:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum overall score 79
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): minimum overall score 6.5
- Duolingo English Test (DET): minimum overall score 115
- PTE A (Pearson Test of English Academic): Minimum overall score 58
- U of I American Language & Culture Program (ALCP) with score of a Level 6/Advanced Pass
- U.S. Education Earned Bachelor, or higher, degree at accredited U.S. institution
A waiver for this requirement is automatically granted to applicants whose education is from countries where English is an official/native language. For more information, visit our English language countries page.
Notes
- All tests must have been taken within two years of your application submission date
- Some graduate programs have a higher requirement.
- Some graduate programs allow admission to be granted to applicants who qualify academically, but have not yet achieved U of I minimum English language requirements. To view information and a list of programs accepting students on this admission, visit the Admission with pending English Proficiency.
For the best user experience:
- Desktop or laptop advised, mobile devices are not recommended
- Have recommender names and email addresses
- Have electronic versions of your required documents
- Be ready to complete an online application fee
Provide Academic & Personal Information
- Program applying
- Academic background
- English proficiency (if applicable)
- GRE (if applicable)
- Your Contact Information
- Answer varying questions
- Three (3) recommender names and emails
Uploads
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose
- Program Specific Materials (if required)
- Transcript Scans (if applicable)
Submit Fee
- Provide payment information
Popular Links
- Graduate Application Status Portal
- Contact Graduate Admissions
- U of I Graduate Priority Deadlines
- Graduate Admissions FAQs
Recommendation for admission is based on the department's decision. Final admission is determined by the College of Graduate Studies.
Important notes to keep in mind » Learn More
Visit the following pages to learn more:
- Scholarships and Costs (General Annual)
- Tuition and Fees (Semester Breakdown)
- Idaho Residency for Tuition Purposes
The number of letters is up to the academic department/program. Individual programs may require 1 to 3 letters of recommendation. Please gather the names and email addresses of your recommenders. You will need to enter this information to complete an online application. Remember to inform recommenders in advance that they will receive an invitation to upload their letter of support directly to your application.
Important:
- Please use your references institutional email address
- Preferably, letters of recommendation should be issued on the university or company letterhead
- Preferably, your recommendations should come from teaching or research faculty in an area related to your anticipated field of study or a company supervisor who has worked with you and can articulate your merits
For more information, visit our documental resources page.
Any change in specific degree, major or semester before enrollment requires a new application (including uploaded material) and a non-refundable fee.
To be considered official, all academic records and test scores (ie. transcripts, degree certificates, GRE, TOEFL) must be sent directly from the institution and/or testing center to Graduate Admissions. When these items are submitted by applicants or educational consultants/agencies, approved or not, they are considered unofficial.
Direct mailing address is:
Graduate Admissions
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 3019
Moscow, ID 83844-3019
Additional items that applicants upload into the application include (if required):
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (required)
- Statement of Purpose (required)
- Scans of Official Transcripts (optional, see below)
- Writing Sample (some programs)
- Portfolio (some programs)
Note: Failure to adhere to these requirements could delay your credential evaluation and/or admission to the University of Idaho. For more information or assistance, visit our documental resources page.
Unofficial Transcripts
- Applicants may upload scanned copies of official transcripts and translations via the online application. Only scans of high quality (600 dpi or higher, front and back with grading keys/scales) from the University Registrar’s office, also known as original documents from your institution, are acceptable. These scans may be used to determine your acceptance into the program. However, the official transcript documents will ultimately be required.
Official Transcripts
- International Institutions: Academic credentials of all post-secondary course work must be received according to the country specific directions on the Graduate Admissions website.
- Transferring Internationally earned credits requires a course-by-course professional credential evaluation.
- U.S. Institutions: Academic transcripts from each college or university attended must be received by Graduate Admissions directly from the awarding institution in the officially sealed envelope bearing the institution’s official seal, stamp, and/or appropriate signature.
- Graduate Admissions accepts electronic transcripts from U.S. higher education institutions.
- Current or former U of I students: If you have or are currently attending the U of I, you do not need to order U of I transcripts. Graduate Admissions will secure them for you.
Test Scores
- ETS Institution Code (U of I): 4843
- GRE
- The GRE is only required for some graduate programs.
- Department code (if needed and not supplied): 5199
TOEFL
A waiver for English language proficiency requirement is automatically granted to students whose education is from countries where English is an official/native language.
Department code (if needed and not supplied): 99
- International Institutions: Academic credentials of all post-secondary course work must be received according to the country specific directions on the Graduate Admissions website.
- Transferring Internationally earned credits requires a course-by-course professional credential evaluation.
- U.S. Institutions: Academic transcripts from each college or university attended must be received by Graduate Admissions directly from the awarding institution in the officially sealed envelope bearing the institution’s official seal, stamp, and/or appropriate signature.
- Graduate Admissions accepts electronic transcripts from U.S. higher education institutions.
- Current or former U of I students: If you have or are currently attending the U of I, you do not need to order U of I transcripts. Graduate Admissions will secure them for you.
Test Scores
- ETS Institution Code (U of I): 4843
- GRE
- The GRE is only required for some graduate programs.
- Department code (if needed and not supplied): 5199
- TOEFL
- A waiver for English language proficiency requirement is automatically granted to students whose education is from countries where English is an official/native language.
- Department code (if needed and not supplied): 99
International
Complete and return the following to Graduate Admissions regardless of your source(s) of funding:
- Certificate of Financial Responsibility Form
- Copy of passport for applicant and all accompanying dependents requiring a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20)
- If currently in the U.S., copy of:
- Visa
- Current I-20
All students currently in F-1 status at any type of institution (college, university, intensive English institute) in the U.S. who plan to transfer to the University of Idaho must complete the transfer procedure through SEVIS.
Not all programs are eligible for an F-1 or J-1. Students must apply for and and be admitted to an in-person campus. Programs offered fully online do not qualify for F-1 student visa status.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations require that every student verify the availability of funds to pay for educational and living expenses before an I-20 or DS-2019 form to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. can be issued.
Immigration regulations require that international students holding F-1 or J-1 student visas be certified as full-time students during the academic year. F-1 graduate students are required to be enrolled in nine credit hours and are allowed to take up to three credits of online coursework toward this requirement. J-1 visa holders are also required to enroll in nine credit hours, but are not allowed to take online classes toward the nine credit requirement.