Environmental science
Doctor of Philosophy
Overview
- In-state: $11,796
- Out-of-state: $31,272
Related Topics
Explore the intersection of research and policy
Influence policy through insightful research and give your career the direction and boost you seek with University of Idaho’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in environmental science. In this research-based program, you’ll thrive in a collaborative, supportive environment as you work alongside high-profile faculty across diverse disciplines to explore how environmental science intersects with policy and other scientific fields.
As a Ph.D. student in the Environmental Science program, you’ll pursue your interests and goals through access to thousands of acres of forests, rangelands and waterways — as well as campus laboratories and cooperative partnerships — for hands-on fieldwork and data collection.
Today’s environmental challenges require scientific expertise, innovation and leadership. As a Ph.D. student, you’ll examine environmental science through interdisciplinary research and apply your knowledge in academia, government, industry or nonprofit settings to advance environmental solutions, inform policy and support sustainable decision-making.
Admission to the 78-credit Ph.D. in Environmental Science program is contingent upon your research interests and those of the major professor, availability of research support and your academic record and potential for producing an original work worthy of publication.
Considering the program’s objectives, you’ll spend your time fleshing out the purpose of your research and conducting fieldwork to compile and analyze data and arrive at a conclusion. The Environmental Science program sets specific expectations for its doctoral students:
- You’ll participate in one or more seminar presentations while completing your degree to present your insights.
- Teaching experience is a requirement of the program. Pedagogical and teaching opportunities present themselves in each of the colleges’ laboratories, by instructing a class or through course recitation and seminars. You’ll impart your knowledge and guide undergraduate students in environmental science disciplines and laboratory practices.
- If you haven't completed a master's degree, you're expected to complete qualifying examinations. All candidates then go through preliminary exams prior to receiving admission for final candidacy. You can also transfer up to 30 credits of previously completed coursework toward your degree.
- You must prepare a formal dissertation that reflects your original thoughts and independent investigation. All candidates are required to defend their research during an oral presentation as the final step toward completing the program.
- You are expected to publish your work in peer-reviewed scientific journals. This process helps establish your authority and highlights the broader impact of your concept, research and data on the field.
Researching solutions to environmental challenges
Curriculum
The environmental science Ph.D. is a research-intensive doctoral program designed for students seeking to advance scientific understanding and develop original solutions to complex environmental challenges. Through interdisciplinary coursework, independent research and faculty mentorship, you’ll build advanced expertise in environmental systems, sustainability, conservation, policy and ecosystem science while contributing new knowledge to the field.
Unlike professionally focused graduate programs, the Ph.D. emphasizes independent scholarly investigation, advanced research methodologies and the development of publishable research. Students work closely with faculty advisors to design individualized plans of study aligned with their research interests and career goals. Coursework is paired with extensive dissertation research that prepares graduates for leadership roles in academia, government, nonprofit organizations, consulting and environmental science industries.
This Ph.D. requires a minimum of 78 credits. Specific courses will be arranged between the student, major professor and committee. This plan must include at least 52 credits at the 5000 level or above. The Ph.D. in environmental science requires two seminars (5010) and at least one research methods 5000-level or above course (as determined by the graduate advisory committee.) 3 credits in each non-depth area: biological, physical or social science for a total of 6 credits.
Research areas may include:
- Sustainability and resilience
- Conservation science and biodiversity
- Environmental policy and planning
- Water, land and natural resource management
- Ecosystem processes and environmental change
- Geospatial and environmental data analysis
- Climate and human-environment interactions
Students gain hands-on experience through:
- Field and laboratory research
- Environmental modeling and data analysis
- Scientific writing and publication
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Conference presentations and professional engagement
- Faculty-guided dissertation research
The program is primarily campus-based and available in Moscow and Coeur d’Alene, allowing students to engage directly with faculty research, field experiences and collaborative environmental science initiatives.
Learn more about the Environmental Science Program.
Check out the environmental science curriculum to learn more.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,344 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Compliance Officers • Environmental Compliance Inspectors • Government Property Inspectors and Investigators • Regulatory Affairs Specialists
$84,213 - Environmental Scientists and Specialists • Climate Change Analysts • Environmental Restoration Planners • Industrial Ecologists
$92,730 - Environmental Science Technicians
$61,322 - Postsecondary Environmental Science Teachers
$87,482 - Forest and Conservation Technicians
$54,015
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Costs, funding and research
To learn how you can 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.
Contact information
Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities.
Director of the Environmental Science program:
Jaap Vos
jvos@uidaho.edu
208-364-4595
CNR Graduate Studies Office:
cnr-grad-studies@uidaho.edu
208-885-1505
Find Environmental Science faculty advisor contacts
For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:
Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001
Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page.
Application information
Applicants for the Ph.D. in environmental science program must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:
Program availability
- Semester intake: Fall, spring, summer
- Eligible for out-of-state tuition waiver through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) for qualifying applicants
- Open to international applicants
- Deadlines: General application deadlines
University requirements
- Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar or related field from an accredited or recognized institution (earned or expected before the start of the graduate program)
- 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 requirements: You must identify and contact faculty who are researching in the narrow focus area you are interested in pursuing to determine their level of interest in becoming your advisor. Please only contact faculty with research in your primary interest.
- 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 Ph.D. program 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 Natural Resources 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.
Overview
- In-state: $11,796
- Out-of-state: $31,272
Related Topics
Have questions?
Have questions about the program? Connect with our program director or request more information to learn about curriculum, faculty advisors, research opportunities, graduate funding and career outcomes.