Why EES at Central Michigan University?

From sea spiders in Antarctica to native and invasive mussels in the St Clair-Detroit River system to climate change’s impact on severe convective storms and wastewater engineering, EES faculty research spreads across the Great Lakes and across the globe.  You'll work closely with faculty advisors to identify key projects of their own.  Your work in the EES program will involve core courses, independent research and collaboration, as ecosystem science is multidisciplinary and requires an inquisitive mind and increasingly complex skill sets. 

Learn More About EES

    All applications materials must be received at Central Michigan University by February 1 each year in order for your application to be considered for admission into the program for the following fall semester. Review of materials begins in January and continues until open positions are filled.

    First, contact an EES faculty member with whom you are interested in working. In order to be accepted into the program, your application must be sponsored by a participating faculty member who is willing to take you into his or her research program.

    Only applications with all the required documents and forms will be reviewed. The Admissions Office must confirm your application meets the basic standards for graduate admissions before your materials will be forwarded to the EES program office. Once reviewed, the EES program office will coordinate the evaluation of all completed applications. This process takes time, so please be patient. You will be contacted when a decision has been made on your application.

    Letters recommending admission will be sent by March 15 each year. Deadline for accepting offers of admission is April 15.

    Submit the required online application here. International students can find out more about the application process here.

    ALL of the following materials must be submitted online via the application portal:

  • CMU Graduate Application
  • Official Transcripts for any B.S. and M.S. degrees
  • A personal statement outlining your interest in the EES program, identifying the faculty mentor with whom you've already been in contact, and describing your prior research experiences and how they will contribute to your future success
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation
  • CV/Resume
  • International students must provide evidence of English proficiency (CMU institutional code is 1106)

    • Students accepted into the program typically receive a combination of research and teaching assistantships during their time in the program, which provides a stipend and a tuition waiver.  Students should discuss their funding plan with their faculty advisor on admission to the program.

    Contact information

    Earth & Ecosystem Science Program
    Central Michigan University
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
    989-774-4401
    EES@cmich.edu
    Graduate Admissions
    Central Michigan University
    802 Industrial Drive
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
    989-774-GRAD
    grad@cmich.edu
    Office of International Affairs
    Central Michigan University
    Ronan Hall 330
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
    989-774-4308
    oiainfo@cmich.edu