Admissions
Thanks for your interest in our Master's & Doctoral programs. We host a great group of graduate students, and we're always looking for more. The GES faculty is committed to providing outstanding teaching and mentorship, and our graduates have strong records of success. Our curriculum is designed to nurture spatial thinking and to challenge you to think critically about how people understand and interact with their environments. We encourage you to apply for graduate study with us.
The Department of Geography at New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of New Mexico (UNM) jointly offer a Doctor of Philosophy in Geography. This program brings together two outstanding institutions and offers a unique opportunity for doctoral study in New Mexico's diverse and distinctive landscapes.
Students seeking entry into the joint doctoral program should be highly motivated individuals who want to learn mixed-methods geographic research. The joint character of our program offers unique opportunities, but also requires logistical adjustments because students must select a “home” campus where they will be based during their enrollment. Students can take courses on both campuses, and temporarily relocate between Albuquerque and Las Cruces, and change home campuses if desired, but during the application process potential students must select either NMSU or UNM as their home campus.
Deadlines
The application deadline to start the Master's program in the Fall semester is January 15. We do not offer admission to our programs in the Spring semester.
The application deadline to start the Doctoral program in the Fall semester is January 15. You must submit your application only to the intended home institution. However, since this is a joint program, the two departments work together to make admissions decisions.
All required application documents (i.e. letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc..) are due by the deadlines stated above. Letters of recommendation should be sent to apply@unm.edu.
If you are interested in taking graduate coursework prior to admission to the program, you can enroll in UNM as non-matriculated graduate student. This will not guarantee admission to the graduate program, but will give you an opportunity to become familiar with the department and become known to our faculty. Coursework taken in this way will count toward the degree if you are accepted into and enter the Master's program. You may apply for non-matriculated status through the UNM Office of Graduate Studies.
UNM's online application will allow you to upload all your necessary documents for application to our programs. Within the application, make sure to click Application instructions to see program specific requirements.
Degree Programs
MS Applicant Instructions
https://grad.unm.edu/graduate-programs/application-instructions/geography-ms.html
Application Deadline
Fall Admission: January 15th
Test Scores
The Department does not require GRE scores. Applicants for whom English is not a native language need to provide current English proficiency test scores (such as TOEFL, IELTS, or other). See guidelines from the UNM Global Education Office.
Letter of Intent
In 1,000 words or fewer, please address the following:
Fit
Please explain why graduate study in Geography & Environmental Studies is a good fit for your interests and goals. Describe your career goals and how graduate training in UNM Geography will help you achieve these goals. Identify faculty of interest and how your interests and goals align with our areas of focus.
Preparation
Please describe your preparation for graduate work in Geography & Environmental Studies. You may want to include professional and academic experience, previous research, training, collaborative projects, publications, internships or relevant extra-curricular activities. If mentioning collaborative projects, please discuss your specific role.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
Please describe your background, motivations, and interests as they relate to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. How might you and your work contribute to a more diverse and inclusive field and society, in relation to intellectual, social, cultural, economic, or other factors?
Other
Please address any weaknesses in your application materials, such as poor grades or gaps in education.
Writing Sample
One writing sample is required; up to two samples may be submitted. Your writing sample can be a published work, an unpublished report, a school or work assignment, a master’s thesis, or some other piece of writing that shows your capabilities in scholarly written communication. At least one writing sample must demonstrate the writing capacities of the applicant and should not include co-authored writing in which the applicant is not the first and primary author. Personal, fictional, or creative writing should not be submitted.
CV/Resume
A resume, limited to two pages, is required. Your resume should document your academic and professional accomplishments.
Assistantship Interest
By default, all applicants are considered for a graduate assistantship. If you do not want to be considered for an assistantship, please indicate this in your letter of interest.
Recommendations
Three letters of recommendation are required. Academic letters strongly encouraged.
Transcripts
Official transcripts of all academic institutions attended.
PhD Applicant Instructions
https://grad.unm.edu/graduate-programs/application-instructions/geography-phd.html
Application Deadline
Fall Admission: January 15th
Test Scores
The Department does not require GRE scores. Applicants for whom English is not a native language need to provide current English proficiency test scores (such as TOEFL, IELTS, or other). See guidelines from the UNM Global Education Office.
Letter of Intent
In 1,000 words or fewer, please address the following:
Fit
Please explain why graduate study in Geography & Environmental Studies is a good fit for your interests and goals. Describe your career goals and how graduate training in UNM Geography will help you achieve these goals. Identify faculty of interest and how your interests and goals align with our areas of focus.
Preparation
Please describe your preparation for graduate work in Geography & Environmental Studies. You may want to include professional and academic experience, previous research, training, collaborative projects, publications, internships or relevant extra-curricular activities. If mentioning collaborative projects, please discuss your specific role.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
Please describe your background, motivations, and interests as they relate to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. How might you and your work contribute to a more diverse and inclusive field and society, in relation to intellectual, social, cultural, economic, or other factors?
Research Interests
Please provide a clear and detailed description of your research interests, including potential research themes and questions you would like to pursue as a graduate student in Geography & Environmental Studies.
Other
Please address any weaknesses in your application materials, such as poor grades or gaps in education.
Writing Sample
One writing sample is required; up to two samples may be submitted. Your writing sample can be a published work, an unpublished report, a school or work assignment, a master’s thesis, or some other piece of writing that shows your capabilities in scholarly written communication. At least one writing sample must demonstrate the writing capacities of the applicant and should not include co-authored writing in which the applicant is not the first and primary author. Personal, fictional, or creative writing should not be submitted.
CV/Resume
A resume, limited to two pages, is required. Your resume should document your academic and professional accomplishments.
Assistantship Interest
By default, all applicants are considered for a graduate assistantship. If you do not want to be considered for an assistantship, please indicate this in your letter of interest.
Recommendations
Three letters of recommendation are required. At least two of these letters must come from academic contacts, such as a college professor, or a research director in a laboratory or business.
Transcripts
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended.
