Water resources | Law, management and policy option

Applicants for the Ph.D. in water resources, law, management and policy option must meet the following admission requirements:

Program availability 

• Semester intake: Fall or Spring
  • Open to international applicants
• Deadlines: General application deadlines
• Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates 

University requirements: 

• Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar or closely related field
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. Official transcripts sent by the issuing institution(s) will be required if admitted. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page. 
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• GRE: Not required
• Letters of recommendation: Three
• Resume
• Statement of purpose
• Other: Before applying, you must secure a commitment to supervise your research from a major professor (adviser) whose expertise matches your area of interest. We encourage you to contact prospective advisers early, as faculty availability varies. Review faculty research profiles, then reach out with a brief description of your research interests to arrange a conversation.
• Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).
  • Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.  
• Application Fee: $50 

Application and admission process:

Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.

Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, recommender information, required program-specific materials, and their intended program and start term.

Applicants seeking admission to the thesis concentration are encouraged to identify and contact a potential faculty advisor or major professor during the application process. Early identification of an advisor can help ensure that a faculty member in the applicant’s area of interest has capacity to supervise the student and appropriate research opportunities are available. Applicants should consult the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences website to identify faculty whose research aligns with their academic and research interests.

Applications are reviewed for admission by the academic program. Only complete applications, including required letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee, will be forwarded for evaluation and admission decision. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications early to allow sufficient time for a thorough review.

International students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas must provide financial documentation demonstrating their ability to cover the cost of attendance. This documentation is required only after admission. 

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application. 

Water Resources Graduate Program contact: Timothy Link (tlink@uidaho.edu)

Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001

Find Water Resources program faculty advisor contacts.

Graduate students are typically funded through a variety of sources. Funding opportunities are provided directly by faculty advisors, and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact potential major professors to develop a dialogue prior to applying.

To learn about ways to fund your graduate degree, check out the Graduate Funding page.

Visit Financial Aid to find detailed information about the cost of attendance.

Recognized STEM Program

This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.

Learn more about STEM approved CIP/degree codes

This program could be a good fit if you:

• Are interested in natural resource and environmental law
• Are passionate about interdisciplinary water issues
• Are interested in the integration of law, policy, water science and engineering.
• Have strong research and analytical thinking skills
• Can communicate and work well with others
• Are a good problem solver

Hands-on learning

• Availability of the Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship
• Access to indoor and outdoor laboratories
• Distinctive combination of research, networking and community involvement

Clubs and organizations

• Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI)
• Graduate and Professional Student Association
• IdaH2O is a Master Water Stewards Program for community outreach