Future Students
The Water Science and Management (WSM) Graduate Program encourages students to interact and engage with faculty, staff, and other students across many different departments and areas of study. WSM graduate students are expected to excel in academics, but also to enrich their studies with professional development and research. By the end of your graduate experience, you will be an expert in water and hopefully become a supporter of Water Science and Management at New Mexico State University.
Application Deadlines:
Spring Semester – September 1
Fall Semester – February 15
Admission Requirements
I. Application
All prospective students must fill out an application for admission to the NMSU Graduate School (gradadmissions.nmsu.edu/) and pay a $40 nonrefundable application fee ($50 International students). Prospective students applying to the Water Science and Management program must be accepted by the Water Science and Management Program and must be fully admitted to the Graduate School.
II. Master of Science (M.S.)
A. Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree – from an accredited university with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. However, students with grade point averages between 3.0 and 3.5 will be given consideration, this degree being preparatory to the Water Science and Management degree.
B. Three Letters of Recommendation – must be submitted directly from persons who know the applicant professionally, including a recommendation from the candidate’s current employer/sponsor. These letters should provide evidence of professional ability, research experience, and the potential for professional development.
C. Letter of Intent or Statement of Purpose – that addresses individual professional and personal goals related to water science and management and discusses how these goals fit within the WSM program at NMSU. It is expected that the candidate will have made contact with prospective advisor(s) at NMSU and speak to how he or she would work with said advisor(s) to advance their research and study. Please include a brief statement on your research interests as it pertains to water research or water issues and how these interests fit with the WSM program at NMSU.
D. Brief Resume or Curriculum Vitae – not to exceed five pages that summarizes the candidate’s background and qualifications.
III. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
A. Possession of a Master’s Degree – from an accredited university with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. However, students with grade point averages between 3.0 and 3.5 will be given consideration.
B. Three Letters of Recommendation – submitted directly from persons who know the applicant professionally, including a recommendation from the candidate’s current employer/sponsor or master’s thesis advisor. These letters should provide evidence of professional ability, research experience, and the potential for professional development. In addition, applicants to the PhD program should provide evidence of research experience. This could include a master’s thesis, a professional paper, peer reviewed manuscripts, consulting reports, or other evidence of experience conducting research.
C. Letter of Intent or Statement of Purpose – that addresses individual professional and personal goals related to water science and management and discusses how these goals fit within the WSM program at NMSU. It is expected that the candidate will have made contact with prospective advisor(s) at NMSU and speak to how he or she would work with said advisor(s) to advance their research and study. Please include a brief statement on your research interests as it pertains to water or water issues and how these interests fit with the WSM program at NMSU.
D. Brief Resume or Curriculum Vitae – not to exceed five pages that summarizes the candidate’s background and qualifications.
International Students
The NMSU International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is here to help you with your application to NMSU, answer any questions you might have about coming to study at NMSU, and provide immigration support for our returning students and scholars. Educational Services Center, Suite 850. isss@nmsu.edu (575) 646-2834.
Funding
Financial support may be available for graduate students in the form of assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, grants, and loans, however admission to the program does not equate to any offer or guarantee of financial assistance. Departmental assistantships and university fellowships are limited and are awarded on a competitive basis. The financial aid office (https://fa.nmsu.edu/) helps new graduate students apply for many types of financial support. Assistantships are granted by an individual professor. If a student wants to be considered for an assistantship, the student should make the request through their advisor.
