Ph.D. and Master's Programs Degree Information
Candidates with a baccalaureate degree may apply for the Master's (M.S.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program. A Master's degree is not a prerequisite to apply for the Ph.D. program. The graduate program falls under the auspices of the School of Graduate Studies, from which the final degree is conferred.
Your Undergraduate Degree Should Have Included:
- Two-course sequences in both biology and chemistry AND
- Two courses in mathematics or statistics AND
- One course each in genetics/evolution and ecology
Undergrad GPA Requirement
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
(Test of English as a Foreign Language) TOEFL
All applicants - regardless of U.S. residency status are required to submit proof of English Language proficiency if their bachelor's degree (and master's degree, if applicable) was earned outside the United States in a country where English is not the primary language. TOEFL or IELTS or DET are accepted at Rutgers.edu.
International students must have a TOEFL score of 550 (paper)**.
The minimum IBT-internet based TOEFL is as follows:
Writing 22
Speaking 23
Reading 21
Listening 17
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Minimum overall IELTS score for admission consideration is bandwidth 7.
Duolingo English Test (DET)
Minimum DET score for admission consideration ranges between 120-130
Due to its interdisciplinary nature, the Ecology and Evolution graduate program maintains flexibility with these requirements. The candidates' credentials will be evaluated by an admissions committee comprised of program faculty.
Admission to the Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution Is a Two-step Process
- You must be approved for admission to the program by the Admissions Committee AND
- You must have a professor in the program who is willing to serve as your advisor.
The Advisor Requirement
- An advisor is required for admission to the program
- Applicants, before submitting or upon submitting their application, should seek faculty sponsorship in their individual areas of interest
- It is not necessary for applicants to have an advisor in place to apply for admissions but it is necessary to have an advisor in place in order for the student to be admitted
Your application will be reviewed without a commitment from a professor to act as your advisor. However, you should locate and secure sponsorship from an advisor soon after applying. You cannot be admitted if no faculty member has agreed to be your advisor.
Important Note: A promise of faculty sponsorship does not guarantee admission to the program. In other words, you can be denied admission due to a lack of faculty sponsorship, but you cannot be automatically admitted to the program simply because of faculty sponsorship.
Detailed information regarding the program requirements for the completion of a Ph.D. or M.S. and about the two types of M.S. degrees offered can be found in the Student Handbook (370k PDF). For more information about our faculty, see our list of current Ecology and Evolution Graduate Program faculty and their research interests.