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Admissions

Iowa State University requires a formal graduate application. Before applying to the Sustainable Agriculture graduate program, please carefully review the program information outlined below and the university U.S. applicant instructions or international applicant instructions.

Application Procedure and Requirements

Sustainable Agriculture is a direct-admit graduate program, where students are admitted into the group of a major professor as well as into the SUSAG major. As such it is imperative that prospective students identify a potential professor BEFORE applying to the program. Applicants should review our faculty directory to identify faculty working in areas that align with their interests and goals. Once relevant faculty members have been identified, applicants should contact those faculty directly to inquire about open graduate positions and funding opportunities for their planned term of entry. Only applicants that contact faculty, apply for the program and are then nominated by a faculty member will be considered for admission to the program.

The SUSAG program does not allow for self-funding nor can we provide conditional admission. We also do not provide application fee waivers.


Admission Standards
 

MS applicants

  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
  • A demonstrated record of achievement in one of the natural, social, or engineering sciences
  • International applicants: An English proficiency score of 88-IBT, 570-PBT, 6.5-IELTS, 59-PTE or 105 Duolingo. The Duolingo score will only be accepted through spring 2025 semester.

PhD applicants

  • A master's degree
  • A GPA of 3.0 or better
  • International applicants: An English proficiency score of 88-IBT, 570-PBT, 6.5-IELTS, 59-PTE or 105 Duolingo. The Duolingo score will only be accepted through spring 2023 semester.

NOTE: We no longer require the GRE for admission to our program.

When to Apply

To receive priority consideration for competitively awarded fellowships, and to ensure there are no Visa issues for international students, applicants should submit a complete application package by the following dates:
Spring: October 1
Summer: March 1
Fall: December 15 
Applications can be submitted after these dates for consideration; however, funding opportunities are limited.

Required Application Materials

  • Graduate application including statement of purpose
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Letters of recommendation (3)
  • International applicants: Official English proficiency exam results

All materials should be submitted through the online application system. Applicants are responsible for submitting the required materials and ensuring that all letters of recommendation are received. Letters of recommendation can be tracked through the online system.

NOTE: For fall 2024 and beyond, please choose ONLY the Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Major when you apply. 

If you are interested in the MS in SUSAG/MCRP double degree, choose that option. 

Decision Timeline

The Admissions Committee begins reviewing nominated applicants in February. Initial admission offers are made in March. Applicants nominated after February are reviewed on an individual basis. Applicants that do not receive a nomination are notified in April.

Questions?

See our frequently asked questions page or contact us at susag@iastate.edu.