The Environmental Humanities Graduate Program (EH) and the University of Utah are committed to a equitable, diverse and inclusive environment. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree attracts applicants from a wide variety of undergraduate programs. We welcome applicants from non-traditional and historically underrepresented groups, as well as those coming 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 2024 applications were due Jan 15, 2024, and our application window is closed. The Fall 2025 window will open August 1, 2024.
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.
- If you're interested in a Mellon graduate fellowship, please submit an additional statement of a project of interest and your qualifications to undertake it.
- 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. Applicants will pay a $30 late fee if they apply after April 1.
Mellon Fellowships
Environmental Humanities is a recipient of a renewed 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. If you have experience and interest in those areas, please submit an additional statement of a project of interest and your qualifications to undertake it. The EH Admission Committee will evaluate all applicants as potential Mellon fellows, and designate them.
International Students
In addition to the list above, international students should submit demonstration of English proficiency before the application deadline. Please save yourself some time; most international applicants must submit English proficiency requirements! I-20 deadline for Fall is July 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 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 and EH utilizes a wait-list. The cohort is typically set by the beginning of May.