SUNY ESF
Graduate Education in SRM

The SRM graduate program prepares students for careers in resource administration, management, scientific research, professional education, and a variety of other specialized positions related to the sustainable management of natural and built systems and resources.

Faculty with nationally and internationally recognized expertise define the area of study's subject matter and guide students through an individually designed program of study appropriate to student goals and aspirations. Many graduate students receive some funding through assistantships and fellowships. Most students work directly with faculty as a team member on research projects or assist with teaching undergraduate students.

Graduate assistantships and research project assistantships are currently available.

Students with a non-natural resources bachelor's or master's degree and a strong interest in sustainable resources management are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about SRM degree programs, you may wish to review the SRM Graduate Student Handbook, which is provided to all new graduate students.

Interdisciplinary Programs & Concurrent Degrees

SRM encourages interdisciplinary graduate programs. This often involves selecting steering committee members from other ESF and Syracuse University departments, or more formally, by arranging for joint study with other college departments or with Syracuse University. Concurrent degree programs that provide the student with two masters' degrees, one from ESF and another from Syracuse University, are available with the following SU schools:

• Whitman School of Management
• Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
• School of Education

Concurrent degree programs usually add at least an additional year to a master's program of study. To be eligible, a student must have been matriculated full time at the College for at least one semester, have a grade point average of at least 3.5, and be formally accepted into the concurrent degree program by the other school. Students who are interested in any of these programs must complete an application process through the ESF Office of Instruction and Graduate Studies within their first year of study.

Admissions Information

College Requirement

For applicants whose native language is not English, ESF requires official TOEFL score to have a minimum total score of 80 and at least a score of 17 on each individual section on the internet-based exam. If the old paper-based TOEFL is used the minimum score is 550 and if the old computer-based TOEFL is used the minimum score is 213. If these scores are not met, the college cannot authorize visa paperwork.

If an accepted applicant scores is less than 100 on the internet-based exam, 600 on the paper-based exam, or 250 on the computer-based exam, they will be required to take the English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE) administered by Syracuse University. Based on results of that exam, students may be directed to enroll in preparatory courses in English language usage.

SRM Requirements

1. Each admitted graduate student must have a major professor willing to provide mentoring through the graduate program. It is highly recommended that applicants contact and identify at least one possible major professor prior to submitting an application.
2. Recent GRE test scores (or other type of graduate record exam scores, such as the LSATs or GMATs) are required as part of a complete application.

SRM GPA and GRE Score Guidelines

1. An academic record showing a minimum GPA of at least a B (3.0 on a scale of 4.0) average for the junior and senior year of a baccalaureate program.
2. A combined GRE score of at least 300 (verbal plus quantitative) for master's level applicants and a combined GRE score of at least 315 (verbal plus quantitative) for doctoral level applicants. If the GRE exam was taken before August 1, 2011, a combined GRE score of at least 1000 (verbal plus quantitative) for master's level applicants and a combined GRE score of at least 1100 (verbal plus quantitative) for doctoral level applicants.

Application Advice

The GPA and GRE guidelines provided above are not requirements for admission, although good scores in these areas do correlate with success in graduate school (see Science 2007 Vol. 315, pg 1080-81). While GRE scores and GPA are important to our evaluation of graduate applications, other factors are also fundamental to the admission decision: strong letters of reference indicating the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate school, prior experience in the field, a well written statement of education goals, and other experiences or qualifications that may indicate potential for graduate study.

For additional admissions information, applications, and instructions, please visit Graduate Admissions.