• Completed undergraduate degree from an accredited 4-year institution with a grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) either overall, within the student’s major, or in junior- and senior-level coursework.
  • If your GPA does not meet our stated minimum requirement, and/or you feel it does not reflect your current ability to succeed in our graduate program, you may submit a supplemental letter to the application committee at gradschool@paulsmiths.edu explaining your perspective and concerns.
• Completed Application for Admission, including:
  • Current resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose (see below for details)
  • Minimum of 1 Letter of Recommendation (2 preferred)
  • Official copies of undergraduate academic transcripts
  • The required documentation outlined above should be emailed to gradschool@paulsmiths.edu upon submission of your application.
• Familiarity with basic statistics, usually established by having completed an undergraduate statistics course or its equivalent. Information on the statistics competency can be found here.
• Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Additional information on GIS competency can be found here.
• TOEFL exam score for students whose native language is not English. Minimum scores are 550 (paper) and 79 (internet) for admission.
• Applicants must have completed at least one undergraduate course in the field of natural resource management with a grade of B or higher. Suitable courses include an introductory course in environmental science, forestry, natural resources sustainability, or aquatic management. The course does not have to include a lab. This must be documented on an official transcript, submitted as part of the student application.
• No GRE required.

Statement of Purpose

The written statement of purpose should be typed, single spaced, 500 words, maximum of 2 pages, and saved as a Word or PDF document. It should include applicant’s name, the date, and email address.

Essay prompt: Please summarize your professional and personal reasons for pursuing a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources Conservation at Paul Smith’s College. State your career goals and how this degree reflects your interests, core values, and/or background. How will attaining this degree allow you to contribute to your profession, to society, and to the health of natural resources? Describe why you are a strong candidate for graduate study based on your past accomplishments, skills, education, community engagement, or other qualifications.

Optional Submissions

Applicants may upload PDFs of any of the following:

• GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores
• Relevant professional certifications
• Sample of professional writing

Tuition and Fees: Graduate Assistants receive a tuition waiver to cover all tuition while holding the Graduate Assistantship. The College does not cover the cost of textbooks, insurance, or other student fees. Tuition waivers are subject to all appropriate IRS regulations.

• Graduate Assistants will receive a stipend of $5,000 per semester
• Campus housing will be provided at no cost

We understand the needs of working professionals and have designed our master’s programs with flexibility in mind. The majority of the coursework is offered online, allowing you to balance your education with your professional commitments. Additionally, our master’s programs include a short-term residency on campus, providing an opportunity for hands-on experiences and face-to-face interactions with faculty and peers. This residency is carefully scheduled to accommodate the busy lives of working professionals, ensuring a valuable and efficient learning experience.