The Environmental Humanities Graduate Program (EH) and the University of Utah are committed to an environment of excellence for students of all backgrounds. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree attracts applicants from a wide variety of undergraduate backgrounds, including those from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TUCs), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), and Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTIs).
Fall 2026 application window will open on 1 August 2025. Applications are due 15 January
2026.
What you'll need to apply:
- A thousand-word statement of your personal and professional goals written in your own words, without the use of a third party.
- A short resumé or curriculum vita
- A sample of your scholarly or creative writing, e.g. a research or term paper, undergraduate
capstone or thesis
- If you have been out of school for more than five years and are a professional writer, you may include examples of your published work.
- You may include more than one sample, though it is not required.
- Three letters of recommendation from your academic, professional, service or volunteer experience. Your recommenders will submit recommendations online via Slate. Please remember we are looking especially for evidence of academic promise and success.
- Transcript(s) of any and all previous university or college work; unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes. Upon official admission from the University, official transcripts are required including those that show transfer credit, or study abroad.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) results are optional. If you attended a traditional four-year institution, and choose to send those scores, please use the University of Utah ETS code, 4853.
The application fee is $55.00 for domestic students, $65.00 for international students.
Mellon Fellowships
Environmental Humanities is a recipient of a grant from the Mellon Foundation. The grant supports our focus on environmental justice, Indigenous knowledges, and community-engaged research and learning, and includes a $25,000 fellowship/year, plus $5,000 summer funding in between the first and second summers of the Program. If you have experience and interest in those areas, in the College of Humanities section of the application, please submit an additional statement of a project of interest and your qualifications to undertake it on the application. The EH Admission Committee will evaluate all applicants as potential Mellon fellows, and designate them.
Amplifying Native Communities
Environmental Humanities encourages applicants with unique experiences and backgrounds to apply for the program. In this case, the funding is intended for individuals from a federally-recognized American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, with a preference for students who are enrolled members of or have at least one parent or grandparent who is an enrolled member of one of the eight tribes that border Utah. This benefit carries all the responsibilities of our standard assistantship, and includes a larger stipend -- $23,500 per year. If you're interested in this opportunity, in the College of Humanities section of the application, please prepare and upload a single-page statement that explains how your background and/or life experiences being a member of an American Indian or Alaska Native nation will bring a fresh perspective to your colleagues and peers with whom you will study and work. Please also upload proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe and/or one parent or grandparent who is an enrolled member. The EH Admission Committee will evaluate all applicants in selecting the recipient(s) of the Amplifying Native Communities Funding.
Expanding Horizons Funding
Environmental Humanities encourages applicants with unique experiences and backgrounds to apply for the Expanding Horizons Funding which is designed to support an individual who will bring a unique perspective to the environmental humanities community. This benefit carries all the responsibilities of our standard assistantship, and includes a larger stipend -- $23,500 per year. If you're interested in this opportunity, in the College of Humanities section of the application, please prepare and upload a single-page statement that explains how your unique background and/or life experiences will bring a fresh perspective to your colleagues and peers with whom you will study and work. The EH Admission Committe will evaluate all applicants in selecting the recipient(s) of the Expanding Horizons Funding.
International Students
In addition to the list above, international students should submit demonstration of English proficiency before the application deadline. I-20 deadline for Fall is either Jun or Aug 1. International Graduate Admissions provides comprehensive information and processes. International Student & Scholar Services is instrumental in navigating the application, document and visa requirements.
Application Review
1. The Environmental Humanities Admissions Committee does not observe rolling admissions; the committee evaluates applications all at once. After you submit your application, you may log into your application status portal to track letters of recommendations, submit additional transcripts and other materials, withdraw your application, and view the admission decision.
2. The Environmental Humanities Admissions Committee reviews, ranks and votes on complete applications.
3. EH then recommends whether to admit, wait-list or deny your application to Graduate Admissions. All graduate applicants must meet University of Utah Graduate Admissions criteria; you'll find a detailed description of the application review process from Graduate Admissions.
4. Graduate Admissions ultimately admits applicants into our Program upon the EH Admissions Committee's recommendation. Admitted applicants are typically notified by our department mid-February. The cohort is most often set by the beginning of May.