Earth & Environmental Science Journalism

Criteria and Procedures for Admission

Important: For applicants to the Earth & Environmental Science Journalism dual degree program, the application deadline for the Graduate School of Journalism is December 15, 2008. For the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the deadline is the first working day in January.

To request information about the program:

Specify that you are interested in "Earth & Environmental Science Journalism."

For admission to this dual degree program you must complete BOTH the application for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and the application for the full time M.S. program at the Graduate School of Journalism.

Earth & Environmental Science Journalism is a dual degree program, which means that participation in the joint program is contingent on admission to both Schools: the Graduate School of Journalism and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences).

Criteria for admission to the M.S. Program of the Graduate School of Journalism

  1. Commitment to the profession of science journalism and a keen interest in the substance of journalism. This is often evidenced by involvement with campus publications or broadcasting stations and summer internships or professional experience.
  2. Demonstrated writing proficiency.
  3. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; multidiciplinary coursework reflecting openness, curiosity, and breadth of view.
  4. Readiness for graduate school.
  5. Professional promise. The School is interested not only in training the student for the first job or the next job in the field; its purpose is to educate for significant careers.
  6. Students must be able to type in English at a reasonable rate of speed (35wpm).

Requirements for admission to the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences

  1. An undergraduate major in one or more of the following: geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, zoology, or biology. Applicants with other undergraduate majors may be considered in exceptional cases.
  2. One year of college-level study with grade of B or better in four out of five of the following: chemistry, mathematics, physics, geosciences, biological sciences. "Mathematics" includes calculus and/or statistics. "Geosciences" includes ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, geology, geophysics, and physical geography. Credit may be given for college level work accomplished in high school if documented through a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement exam.
  3. Applicants must submit scores on the G.R.E. General Test (Columbia University GSAS GRE Code: 2162).
  4. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit an acceptable TOEFL score (or its equivalent).