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Dual Major Application Instructions

Application Instructions

The Environmental Science and Policy Dual Major is open to PhD students at MSU. Students are eligible to apply either as incoming students or within the first two years of starting their doctoral program.

Your application should include the following materials:

All applicants:

  • A complete, signed application form.
  • A brief (500 word maximum) statement on how your dissertation will integrate environmental science, policy, and your primary field of study.
  • Your Curriculum Vitae.
  • A draft memorandum of understanding that outlines how you will complete both your primary major and ESP major. (This draft MOU is optional at the time of application but needs to be completed, signed and submitted to the Graduate School by the end of the fourth semester of your graduate program.) 

Current MSU students (if you are already enrolled in a doctoral program at MSU):

  • Ask your major advisor to send a letter to ESPP indicating that you are in good standing and that the advisor supports your application.

New students (if you are in the process of applying to a doctoral program at MSU):

  • Ask the doctoral program to which you are applying to forward a copy of your application package to ESPP.
  • The doctoral program to which you are applying to may nominate you for the ESPP Recruiting Fellowship. If this is the case, follow the Recruiting Fellowship Nomination Instructions to prepare and submit all the required documents. The submission should come from the Graduate Program Director of the primary program.

ESPP asks that students disclose any use of generative AI in the preparation of any materials for our program. We feel strongly that this practice is a critical part of working together to engage with these tools in higher education. A list of permissible and non-permissible uses of generative AI at MSU can be found here (https://ai.msu.edu/guidelines).

Complete all sections of this form and compile all of the above-required materials. Submit your application to ESPP (espp@msu.edu) in a single email, preferably as a single pdf file. Please include “Application to ESPP” in the subject line of your email. 

Please note that applications for the Fall Semester are due February 1 and applications for the Spring Semester are due October 15. 

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