Introduction

The Department of Earth Sciences offers one certificate and three graduate program options:

 • GIS Certificate: Requires completion of 12 credits hours (9 hours of required courses and 3 hours of electives)

• Master of Arts in Earth Sciences: Requires completion of a professional paper (36 credit hours). Offered only in Geography concentration.

• Master of Science in Earth Sciences: Requires completion of a thesis and 32 credit hours. Concentrations are offered in Archeology, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, and Interdisciplinary Studies.

• Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Sciences: Requires completion of a dissertation and 72 total post-Baccalaureate credit hours.

Prospective Students

The application process is rolling. However, to be fully considered for a Graduate Assistantship and acceptance to the program, applications must be received by January 15 of each year. Research assistantships and other Fellowship deadlines are set by the offering entity or individual. The decision on graduate assistantships will be made on February 28 of each year.  If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Dr. Andrew Mickelson for help!

Application Process

GIS Certificate Application Form (pdf)

Degree Seeking Students

The details of the application process and degree programs are described in the
DES Graduate Student Handbook

All students must submit the following materials to the Academic Services Associate of the Department of Earth Sciences:

1. A statement of research interests

2. Three letters of recommendation

3. Graduate Assistant (GA) Form (pdf), if applicant is interested in GA support

Students interested in applying for support from the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) should also contact the CERI Academic Services Associate (Michelle Smith) for further application information.

The application to the University of Memphis Graduate Admissions can be found online at http://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/admproc.php. It must be submitted to the University of Memphis Graduate Admissions, not to DES. Official GRE scores must also be submitted to the University of Memphis Graduate Admissions.

International students whose highest degree is from a foreign university must have their credentials (The course-by-course report is required) evaluated by WES (http://www.wes.org). All applicants who will be attending the University on a student visa and who are not native speakers of English and are not graduates of The University of Memphis must supply a minimum score of 550 on the paper or 210 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). An Affidavit of Support and Educational Background Statement must also be submitted to complete the University application packet.

Current Students

The following are a list of electronic documents and forms that will assist in the program requirements in DES. All the forms listed in the DES Handbook are now accessible at this site.

The Official DES Graduate Handbook (pdf)

DES - MS/MA Checklist (pdf)

DES - Ph.D. Checklist (pdf)

DES- List of DES Dissertations and Theses (pdf)

Master's Degree Forms

DES Form - Masters Program Planning and Progress Form (pdf)

University of Memphis Form - Thesis Committee Appointment (pdf)

DES Form - Thesis Proposal Approval Form (pdf)

University of Memphis Form - Comprehensive Examination Results (html)

University of Memphis Form - Intent to Graduate Form (html)

University of Memphis Form - Master's Degree Candidacy Form (html)

DES Form - Thesis Defense Authorization Form (pdf)

University of Memphis Form - Thesis Defense Results (pdf)

Ph.D. Degree Forms

DES Form - Ph.D. Program Planning and Progress Form (pdf)

University of Memphis Form - Dissertation Committee Appointment (pdf)

DES Form - DES Graduate Program Form PhD-Qualifying Exam (pdf)

DES Form - Dissertation Proposal Approval Form (pdf)

University of Memphis Form - Comprehensive Examination Results (html)

University of Memphis Form - Intent to Graduate Form (html)

University of Memphis Form - Doctoral Degree Candidacy Form (html)

DES Form - Dissertation Defense Authorization Form (pdf)

University of Memphis Form - Dissertation Defense Results (pdf)