Farmers Market

"Through the process of writing my thesis, I was able to make connections with some fairly high profile people in both the local community and globally working on the issues I care about most. The program encourages its participants to get involved with local organizations and network, and by doing this, I was able to find and land a job locally that I love." Maggie Donovan-Kaloust, Program Graduate, 2007

Find Out How to Apply

The application deadline for Fall 2012 admission is February 15, 2012.

Candidates for admission to the Environment and Community M.A. in Social Sciences Program must have a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation. While we accept applicants from a diverse range of disciplinary backgrounds, applicants’ coursework should include social science. Applicants whose coursework does not include social science should indicate in their statement of purpose how they plan to acquire a basic understanding of social science theory and research before beginning the program. Applicants are also expected to have maintained a minimum 3.0 grade point average in their last 60 units of course work. A college-level course in statistics is also pre-requisite or a co-requisite for all students enrolled in the E&C program. This requirement must be satisfied by the end of the first semester of the program; the statistics course does not count toward the M.A. degree requirements. GRE scores are not required.

Applicants are responsible for submitting completed application packets. The application packet should include:

  • Completed CSU graduate application form. Select ‘Social Science Environment and Community, (M.A.)’ where it asks for “Major/Program objectives.” The 750-word statement of purpose, which you submit as part of the CSU graduate application form, should discuss your interests and relate them to the central themes of the Environment and Community Program. To the extent possible, describe possible thesis or project topics and what you would like to do when you graduate from the program. A strong essay clearly articulates the nature of the fit between you and the Environment and Community Program.
  • CSU application fee
  • Two official transcripts from each college attended
  • Three letters of recommendation from people in a position to assess your potential as a graduate student. These should be in individually sealed and signed envelopes.
  • A ten page writing sample.

Do not send in your application until you have assembled all of the above elements. When your application packet is complete, please send it to:

Cynthia Werner
Graduate Student Admissions
Office of Admissions
1 Harpst St., Arcata, CA 95521

Applications will be reviewed by an admissions committee of faculty drawn from our advisory committee.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2012

Financial Aid

The HSU Financial Aid Office has extensive online resources and will provide a packet of information.

There is also a limited amount of non-resident fee waiver money granted to students in this program on a competitive basis. All admitted students who are classified as out-of-state residents will be considered for this fee waiver if they indicate their interest along with their application essay.