Application Process & Checklist
If you are interested in applying to one of our graduate programs, please read the information provided here as well as the Graduate Admission website for the Atmospheric Sciences MS, Atmospheric Sciences PhD, MGIST, Graduate Certificate in GIST, Geography MA, Geography PhD program.
These pages provide a thorough account of the program requirements, application process, and funding options.
You are required to first connect with faculty members as your possible advisors before applying.
Deadlines are as follows:
- Atmospheric Sciences and Geography: November 15th for both domestic and international applicants.
- Graduate Certificate in GIST and MGIST:
- For domestic students, the deadlines are December 1 for Spring semester and June 1 for Autumn semester.
- For international students, the deadlines are November 15 and May 15 for Spring and Autumn semesters, respectively.
Applications received after the deadline may not receive full consideration for admission and will not be considered for funding.
For questions and additional information, please contact Karlie Horn, Graduate Program Coordinator, at horn.493@osu.edu.
International Applicant Update
In July 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a final rule ending the use of ‘Duration of Status' for international students. Under the Duration of Status policy, students holding F-1 and J-1 visas could remain in the United States for as long as necessary to complete their academic program, provided they maintained their visa status and complied with the terms of their admission. The policy also included a 60-day grace period following program completion.
The new rule replaces Duration of Status with a fixed ‘Admit Until Date’ (AUD). For students entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026, the AUD may not exceed four years and includes a 30-day grace period. Students who require additional time to complete their degree program must apply for an ‘Extension of Stay’ (EOS) with U.S. Immigration or need to re-enter the U.S. to get an extended AUD.
You can read more about the policy change and its possible impact on international students at https://oia.osu.edu/international-students/immigration-information/duration-status-final-rule
The termination of ‘Duration of Status’ may affect international students considering admission to our five-year direct-entry PhD program, as the expected time to degree exceeds the four-year AUD. Prospective students should also be aware that the new AUD policy could affect students in our traditional post-master’s PhD program if they are unable to complete their degree requirements within the four-year admission period.
Atmospheric Sciences
ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
STEP ONE - Minimum Qualifications
Minimum admission criteria for the MS are as follows:
- A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
- A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate work. (Learn how OSU calculates GPA)
- Criteria you will be evaluated by:
- Alignment with the areas of expertise of faculty in the program
- Alignment with the areas of expertise of the intended advisor
- Academic excellence and achievement as demonstrated in GPA and awards
- Academic preparation as demonstrated in coursework and other academic experience such as internships, study abroad, or research
- Articulation of academic and career objectives: knowledge of the discipline, relevant subfields, research questions, and methodologies; an appropriate research plan; strong writing and communication skills
- Positive personal characteristics such as: maturity, integrity, perseverance, leadership, community engagement, ability to engage with individuals with a wide variety of lived experience, status as a first-generation college/graduate student
- Training and/or experience that demonstrates that you are prepared for your proposed course of study.
- Evidence of such preparation usually comes in the form of transcripts or other such credentials, your research statement, and evaluations in your letters of reference.
- Evidence of such preparation usually comes in the form of transcripts or other such credentials, your research statement, and evaluations in your letters of reference.
- A completed calculus series
- Proof of English language proficiency, for international applicants and those who have held the status of U.S. permanent resident for less than one year from the first day of the first term of enrollment.
- Minimum required scores:
- TOEFL: Old Scoring: 100 total, with at least a 24 on speaking. New Scoring: 5 total with at least a 5 on speaking
- IELTS: 7, with a 7 speaking
- Duolingo: 130 or higher Duolingo
- Note: The Duolingo test cannot be used to exempt an admitted student from the English placement exam or the Oral Proficiency Assessment for Graduate Teaching Associates.
- TOEFL: Old Scoring: 100 total, with at least a 24 on speaking. New Scoring: 5 total with at least a 5 on speaking
- Minimum required scores:
Applicants who are citizens of or who have received a bachelor's degree (or higher) from one of these English-speaking countries are exempt:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Dominica, England, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Guyana, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Kenya, Liberia, Montserrat, Netherland Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Ireland, Northern Mariana Islands, Pitcairn Island, Puerto Rico, Republic of Ireland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Tokelau, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, Virgin Islands (U.S and British), Wales
English proficiency policy has been set for this academic year. We are not granting test waivers or petitions to exempt countries not currently listed above at this time.
Minimum admission criteria for the PhD includes all of the above with the addition of:
- A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your program
- In rare circumstances, we admit students who do not have a Master’s degree and have shown potentials in research into the Direct-to-PhD programs in Atmospheric Sciences.
- Students in these programs should complete the PhD in five academic years.
- If you are interested in this possibility, you should reach out to your potential advisor.
- If you are interested in this possibility, you should reach out to your potential advisor.
STEP TWO - The Application
- You must first identify a faculty member who has agreed to be your advisor.
- Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application.
- The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process.
- Please note: The completed online form will be forwarded automatically to the department.
- The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process.
- For international students, be sure you have thoroughly read through the Graduate Admissions requirements for international students.
- Faculty mentor. We strongly encourage applicants to contact our faculty members.
- Prior to applying, you must have at least one faculty member agree to serve as your mentor.
- Your mentor will be your advocate through the admissions and your default advisor after you are admitted to the program.
- Every graduate student can change the advisor.
- Faculty members who typically work in this area include:
- Prior to applying, you must have at least one faculty member agree to serve as your mentor.
- Statement of purpose. In no more than 3 pages, your statement must address the following four aspects:
- Your academic background and past experience
- Your research plan and career goals
- How Ohio State will help you achieve your goals, (name your intended mentor here)
- How your academic interests and achievements have been shaped by lived experiences.
- Your academic background and past experience
- Your curriculum vitae (CV). This should be uploaded via the Graduate Admissions page.
- Three letters of recommendation. While filling out your application you will be prompted to submit the names and contact information for your recommendation letter writers.
- Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to your writers so they can log in and submit their letters.
- We encourage you to ask your letter writers to comment on the four aspects of your statement of purpose.
- Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to your writers so they can log in and submit their letters.
- International Students Only: Official TOEFL exam report. Arrange for the scores to be sent to: OSU institution code #1592.
- One official transcript from each university that you have attended should be uploaded to your application OR you can email your transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions (gradadmissions@osu.edu).
- Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document.
- Also, please include both the front and back page of your transcript(s).
- Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document.
- Pay the application fee at; Ohio State Graduate Admissions.
The deadline for both international and domestic applications is November 15.
Applications received after the deadline may not receive full consideration for admission and will not be considered for funding.
PLEASE DO NOT upload, mail or email any of the following items to the Department of Geography and/or Graduate Admissions:
- Writing samples (those may be requested by your mentor but they should NOT be part of your application)
- Financial Documents (these will be requested by Graduate Admissions for every international applicant accepted into the program, but they should NOT be part of your application package).
- Certificates of any kind
- Photocopies of your passport
STEP THREE - Initial Completion
Your application should now be complete for review. To be sure, please check your application status by following the prompts on this link: Frequently Asked Questions.
STEP FOUR - Finish
If you get accepted then you will need to mail sealed official transcripts to Graduate Admissions (Address to: Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, SAS Building, 281 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1132).
These need to be final copies of your transcripts so please do not send us transcripts if you have not yet received your degree at the time of your admission.
Instead please mail copies of your transcripts once your degree has been awarded.
Geography
GEOGRAPHY
STEP ONE - Minimum Qualifications
Minimum admission criteria for the MA are as follows:
- A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
- A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate work. (Learn how OSU calculates GPA)
- Criteria you will be evaluated by:
- Alignment with the areas of expertise of faculty in the program
- Alignment with the areas of expertise of the intended advisor
- Academic excellence and achievement as demonstrated in GPA and awards
- Academic preparation as demonstrated in coursework and other academic experience such as internships, study abroad, or research
- Articulation of academic and career objectives: knowledge of the discipline, relevant subfields, research questions, and methodologies; an appropriate research plan; strong writing and communication skills
- Positive personal characteristics such as: maturity, integrity, perseverance, leadership, community engagement, ability to engage with individuals with a wide variety of lived experience, status as a first-generation college/graduate student
Training and/or experience that demonstrates that you are prepared for your proposed course of study.
- Minimum required scores:
- TOEFL: Old Scoring: 100 total, with at least a 24 on speaking. New Scoring: 5 total with at least a 5 on speaking
- IELTS: 7, with a 7 speaking
- Duolingo: 130 or higher Duolingo
Note: The Duolingo test cannot be used to exempt an admitted student from the English placement exam or the Oral Proficiency Assessment for Graduate Teaching Associates.
- TOEFL: Old Scoring: 100 total, with at least a 24 on speaking. New Scoring: 5 total with at least a 5 on speaking
STEP TWO - The Application
- You must first identify a faculty member who has agreed to be your advisor.
- Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application.
- The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process.
- Please note: The completed online form will be forwarded automatically to the department.
- The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process.
- For international students, be sure you have thoroughly read through the Graduate Admissions requirements for international students.
- Faculty mentor. We strongly encourage applicants to contact our faculty members.
- Prior to applying, you must have at least one faculty member agree to serve as your mentor.
- Your mentor will be your advocate through the admissions and your default advisor after you are admitted to the program.
- Every graduate student can change the advisor.
- Prior to applying, you must have at least one faculty member agree to serve as your mentor.
- Statement of purpose. In no more than 3 pages, your statement must address the following four aspects:
- Your academic background and past experience
- Your research plan and career goals
- How Ohio State will help you achieve your goals, (name your intended mentor here)
- How your academic interests and achievements have been shaped by lived experiences.
- Your academic background and past experience
- Your curriculum vitae (CV). This should be uploaded via the Graduate Admissions page.
- Three letters of recommendation. While filling out your application you will be prompted to submit the names and contact information for your recommendation letter writers.
- Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to your writers so they can log in and submit their letters.
- We encourage you to ask your letter writers to comment on the four aspects of your statement of purpose.
- Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to your writers so they can log in and submit their letters.
- International Students Only: Official TOEFL exam report. Arrange for the scores to be sent to: OSU institution code #1592.
- One official transcript from each university that you have attended should be uploaded to your application OR you can email your transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions (gradadmissions@osu.edu).
- Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document.
- Also, please include both the front and back page of your transcript(s).
- Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document.
- Pay the application fee at; Ohio State Graduate Admissions.
The deadline for both international and domestic applications is November 15.
Applications received after the deadline may not receive full consideration for admission and will not be considered for funding.
PLEASE DO NOT upload, mail or email any of the following items to the Department of Geography and/or Graduate Admissions:
- Writing samples (those may be requested by your mentor but they should NOT be part of your application)
- Financial Documents (these will be requested by Graduate Admissions for every international applicant accepted into the program, but they should NOT be part of your application package).
- Certificates of any kind
- Photocopies of your passport
STEP THREE - Initial Completion
Your application should now be complete for review. To be sure, please check your application status by following the prompts on this link: Frequently Asked Questions.
STEP FOUR - Finish
If you get accepted then you will need to mail sealed official transcripts to Graduate Admissions (Address to: Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, SAS Building, 281 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1132).
These need to be final copies of your transcripts so please do not send us transcripts if you have not yet received your degree at the time of your admission.
Instead please mail copies of your transcripts once your degree has been awarded.
Graduate Certificate in GIST
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
STEP ONE - Minimum Qualifications
Minimum admission criteria for the Graduate Certificate are as follows:
- A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
STEP TWO - The Application
- Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application.
- The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process.
- Please note: The completed online form will be forwarded automatically to the department.
- The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process.
- For international students, be sure you have thoroughly read through the Graduate Admissions requirements for international students.
- Statement of purpose.
- Your curriculum vitae (CV). This should be uploaded via the Graduate Admissions page.
- International Students Only: Official TOEFL exam report. Arrange for the scores to be sent to: OSU institution code #1592.
- One official transcript from each university that you have attended should be uploaded to your application OR you can email your transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions (gradadmissions@osu.edu).
- Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document.
- Also, please include both the front and back page of your transcript(s).
- Pay the application fee at Ohio State Graduate Admissions.
For domestic students, the deadlines are December 1 for Spring semester and June 1 for Autumn semester.
For international students, the deadlines are November 15 and May 15 for Spring and Autumn semesters, respectively.
Applications received after the deadline may not receive full consideration for admission and will not be considered for funding.
PLEASE DO NOT upload, mail or email any of the following items to the Department of Geography and/or Graduate Admissions:
- Writing samples (those may be requested by your mentor but they should NOT be part of your application)
- Financial Documents (these will be requested by Graduate Admissions for every international applicant accepted into the program, but they should NOT be part of your application package)
- Certificates of any kind
- Photocopies of your passport
STEP THREE - Initial Completion
Your application should now be complete for review. To be sure, please check your application status by following the prompts on this link: Frequently Asked Questions.
STEP FOUR - Finish
If you get accepted then you will need to mail sealed official transcripts to Graduate Admissions (Address to: Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, SAS Building, 281 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1132).
These need to be final copies of your transcripts so please do not send us transcripts if you have not yet received your degree at the time of your admission.
Instead please mail copies of your transcripts once your degree has been awarded.
MGIST
MASTER OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
STEP ONE - Minimum Qualifications
Minimum admission criteria for the MGIST are as follows:
- A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
- A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate work. (Learn how OSU calculates GPA)
- Training and/or experience that demonstrates that you are prepared for your proposed course of study.
- Evidence of such preparation usually comes in the form of transcripts or other such credentials, your research statement, and evaluations in your letters of reference.
- Interests that align with the program
- Readiness to take MGIST courses without other preparation
- Articulation of academic and career goals related to GIST
- Positive personal characteristics such as maturity, integrity, perseverance, leadership, community engagement, ability to engage with individuals with a wide variety of lived experience, status as a first-generation college/graduate student
Proof of English language proficiency, for international applicants and those who have held the status of U.S. permanent resident for less than one year from the first day of the first term of enrollment.
- Applications for the MGIST program will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Minimum required scores:
- TOEFL: Old Scoring: 100 total, with at least a 24 on speaking. New Scoring: 5 total with at least a 5 on speaking
- IELTS: 7, with a 7 speaking
- TOEFL: Old Scoring: 100 total, with at least a 24 on speaking. New Scoring: 5 total with at least a 5 on speaking
- Minimum required scores:
STEP TWO - The Application
- Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application.
- The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process.
- Please note: The completed online form will be forwarded automatically to the department.
- The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process.
- For international students, be sure you have thoroughly read through the Graduate Admissions requirements for international students.
- Statement of purpose. Please upload a one-page statement that highlights your professional goals in GIST and how you plan to advance your knowledge and career with a Masters degree from the Ohio State University.
- Your curriculum vitae (CV). This should be uploaded via the Graduate Admissions page.
- Two letters of recommendation. While filling out your application you will be prompted to submit the names and contact information for your recommendation letter writers.
- Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to your writers so they can log in and submit their letters.
- Please ask individuals who have evaluated you in an academic or professional setting (not friends) to write letters for you.
- You may consider your current or former college advisors, professors, instructors, or work supervisors.
- Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to your writers so they can log in and submit their letters.
- International Students Only: Official TOEFL exam report. Arrange for the scores to be sent to: OSU institution code #1592.
- One official transcript from each university that you have attended should be uploaded to your application OR you can email your transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions (gradadmissions@osu.edu).
- Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document.
- Also, please include both the front and back page of your transcript(s).
- Pay the application fee at; Ohio State Graduate Admissions.
For domestic students, the deadlines are December 1 for Spring semester and June 1 for Autumn semester.
For international students, the deadlines are November 15 and May 15 for Spring and Autumn semesters, respectively.
Applications received after the deadline may not receive full consideration for admission and will not be considered for funding.
PLEASE DO NOT upload, mail or email any of the following items to the Department of Geography and/or Graduate Admissions:
- Writing samples (those may be requested by your mentor but they should NOT be part of your application)
- Financial Documents (these will be requested by Graduate Admissions for every international applicant accepted into the program, but they should NOT be part of your application package)
- Certificates of any kind
- Photocopies of your passport
STEP THREE - Initial Completion
Your application should now be complete for review. To be sure, please check your application status by following the prompts on this link: Frequently Asked Questions.
STEP FOUR - Finish
If you get accepted then you will need to mail sealed official transcripts to Graduate Admissions (Address to: Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, SAS Building, 281 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1132).
These need to be final copies of your transcripts so please do not send us transcripts if you have not yet received your degree at the time of your admission.
Instead please mail copies of your transcripts once your degree has been awarded.