Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University

Programme overview

The PhD in Ecology and Conservation Biology prepares students for academic or research careers in ecology and natural resources. Specialization is available across biodiversity science, ecosystem science, conservation biology, genetics and genomics, organismal biology, physiology and nutrition, ecohydrology, ecological modeling and forecasting, restoration and impact mitigation, and spatial science.

Faculty: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | Department: Ecology and Conservation Biology | Duration: 64 semester credit hours minimum with a prior master's degree (or DDS/DMD, DVM, MD from a US institution); 96 hours minimum from a bachelor's degree | Study mode: full-time | Location: College Station, TX, United States

What you will study

Coursework and dissertation research in one of the specialization areas, with a preliminary examination, final examination and dissertation.

Career pathways

Academic or research careers in ecology and natural resources.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Programme requirement: an accredited bachelor's degree plus university graduate admission requirements. Texas A&M University graduate admission (applies to all graduate programs): a formal application; application fee of $65 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $90 for international applicants (plus any application-service fee). The normal requirement is a scholastic record over at least the last two years of full-time degree study showing ability to do graduate-level work; applicants changing fields or with weaker records may be required to take additional preparatory work. Departments may set higher requirements, which supersede the university's. International applicants from non-English-speaking backgrounds need a TOEFL iBT of at least 80 (taken before 21 January 2026), a TOEFL iBT score of at least 4.5 with at least 4.0 per skill (taken on or after 21 January 2026), TOEFL Essentials 8.5, or IELTS Academic 6.0 overall; exemptions apply for a US baccalaureate or higher, GRE Verbal 146+, GMAT Verbal 77+, and citizens of listed English-speaking countries (including Ghana and Nigeria).

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

The graduate application processing fee is $65, in addition to the centralized application service fee. Deadlines and required documents are set by each department.

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