PhD Earth and Environmental Sciences at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Programme overview

The PhD programme has guaranteed department financial support for the length of the programme: 4 years for entrants with an MS and 5 years for entrants with a BS. Students are pre-candidates for about two years and advance to candidacy after at least 18 graduate credits and the Qualifying Exam, then defend a dissertation.

Faculty: College of Literature, Science, and the Arts | Department: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences | Duration: 4 years funded for entrants with an MS; 5 years funded for entrants with a BS | Intake: Fall; deadline December 19, 2026 (Fall 2027 entry) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ann Arbor, MI, United States

What you will study

Course requirements, a Qualifying Exam, dissertation committee with annual meetings, and a dissertation and defense; PhD students enroll in EARTH 995 in the term of their defense.

Career pathways

Research, teaching, scientific communication and public outreach roles.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (MS and PhD): apply through the Rackham Graduate School (ApplyWeb); complete application including all three letters of recommendation and TOEFL scores due December 19, 2026 for Fall admission. Application fee $75 for US citizens and permanent residents, $90 for non-US citizens. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact faculty before applying.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Intake: Fall; deadline December 19, 2026 (Fall 2027 entry)

Duration: 4 years funded for entrants with an MS; 5 years funded for entrants with a BS

Apply through the official page: https://rackham.umich.edu/admissions/applying/

Explore more study programmes

Engineering