Applying to the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology

Every student should maintain the highest goals and ideals when selecting and applying for a graduate degree. The School for Marine Science and Technology offers a high quality education with the affordability of a public university.

Applicants should take an active role in contacting faculty member(s) who could potentially advise them, as well as make an effort to seek funding before applying. You must have an advisor to attend. The number of available teaching and research assistantships is limited, so to be considered you must submit your applications before the deadline. Please contact us with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Email your questions about the application process.

For questions about the academic program.

Admissions Procedures

Students considering entry for the fall semester should be aware of the following dates:

December 15
Students who are interested in obtaining a teaching or research assistantship (TA/RA) must have a completed application and all other appropriate forms sent to the Graduate Office by this date. Prospective students who are not interested in receiving a TA or RA are highly encouraged to apply at this time as well. 

January 15
Admissions Committee will have evaluated all applicants and will send a revised list of all prospective students to the faculty. Any revisions and reconsiderations to the list will be made within a week.

February 15 
The Dean of SMAST will send:

• final acceptance letters to students who are being awarded a TA/RA, as well as those students who have sufficient funding and an advisor.
• conditional letters of acceptance to students who have found an advisor, but lack funding.
• letters of deferral to qualified students who have been waitlisted, due to having no apparent advisor and inadequate funding.
• letters of rejection to students who do not meet the standards of the school.

March 15
Students should be receiving their acceptance, deferral, and rejection letters between February 15th and March 15th. Students who have been accepted with funding and an advisor are expected to reply within one month of receiving the letter. 

April 15
All students accepted with funding and an advisor must reply by this date in order to be ensured of entrance into the program. 

May 1
The admissions committee will complete its evaluation of all acceptances and deferments from students who replied by April 15th. Depending on the number of students admitted, the Admissions Committee will consider the following, in order: 1) Students who have an advisor, but no funding. 2) Students who have neither advisor nor funding.

May 15
The SMAST Dean will send final letters of acceptance and rejection to the two groups of students listed above.

June 15
Students who are accepted by or after May 15th have until this date to reply in order to enter the program. All admission decisions are closed by this date.

Students considering entering in the spring semester should be aware of the following dates:

September 1
Students must have a completed application and all other appropriate forms sent to the UMassD Graduate Office. 

September 30
The Admissions Committee will have evaluated all applicants and will send a revised list of all prospective students to the faculty. Any revisions and reconsiderations to the list will be made within a week.

October 15 
The Dean of SMAST will send out acceptance and rejection letters by this date. Accepted students are encouraged to reply promptly.

November 15 
All students who are accepted must reply no later than this date in order to enter the program. All admission decisions are closed by this date.

Those who apply out of sequence will automatically be placed in the next cycle of admissions.

For assistance with an application:
Susan Silva Voice: 508-910-6370 Fax: 508-910-8197

 

Admissions Standards

Successful applicants will generally have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree with a GPA of 3.00 or better. Preparation in mathematics at least through integral calculus is strongly encouraged.

They will also have:

• an undergraduate major in one of the basic scientific disciplines or engineering

or

• strong multidisciplinary training with completion of at least six semesters of coursework in the natural sciences, generally to include biology, chemistry, and/or physics.

Students who do not meet these criteria need to identify a faculty advocate to bring a request for exception before the Admissions Committee. At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, applicants may make up deficiencies in prior coursework either before or after admission is granted. Consideration will be on a case-by-case basis, and the recommendation of the committee will be forwarded to the SMAST Dean for approval.

Candidates may apply for admission at either the master's or doctoral level. Students admitted directly into the doctoral program are expected to have exceptional academic credentials and/or work experience. Students entering with a bachelor's degree may be required to complete the requirements of a master's degree before admission to the doctoral program. Students entering with a master's can be admitted at the doctoral level provided the degree, coursework and research experience warrant such a decision by the Admissions Committee.

Application Criteria

In addition to the basic standards, the Admissions Committee will evaluate applicants on a number of additional criteria. The following items must be submitted for consideration:

• The application for admission is available for completion on line or for download in PDF format. Alternatively, a paper version can be picked up or requested to be mailed. The application form must be filled out entirely.
• Resume.
• Three letters of recommendation from those familiar with the applicant's academic and/or work experience are required.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework are required.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (sent directly from ETS) are recommended for PSM applicants and required of all others. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required if the applicant is not a native English speaker. Typically, GREs should have a combined score of 1200 or greater. For the TOEFL, a minimum of 577 (233 on the computer based exam, 90-91 on the internet based exam) is highly recommended.
• Statements of interest and intent are also requested. The statement of interest should provide reviewers with an indication of your motivation for pursuing graduate work.  The statement of intent should describe how graduate training would address your career goals.

Financial Information

Tuition, Fees, Expenses and Financial Aid

Information on the tuition, fees, other expenses, and financial aid associated with the graduate degrees can be found on the Tuition and Fees page and the Financial Information page.

Stipend Levels

Stipend levels are flexible and competitive to accommodate a range of disciplines. Our stipend levels recognize your need for adequate support during your course of study.

All students receiving a stipend will also receive a tuition waiver, but not necessarily a fee waiver.

COAST PSM students are not generally eligible for stipends.