FAQ - Future Students

Who should I contact for application related questions?

For general application procedure and requirements, SCE academic advisors (sceadvising@uhcl.edu) should be the first point of contact. However for other career-related or program specific information, you are encouraged to contact Program Chair Dr. Carl Zhang (Tel: 281-283-3746, e-mail: zhang@uhcl.edu) or individual faculty advisor for details.

Can I contact faculty or staff to project my acceptance?

No one, neither faculty nor staff, is empowered to project for you whether or not you might be accepted to the degree program of your choice before your file is reviewed by the faculty committee.

How early should I submit my application materials?

Deadlines Applications for the given semester will be not accepted after the dates given below. Earlier completion of application, well before this deadline, is strongly recommended.

What type of GRE is required and what is minimum score?

We only require the GRE General Test, not the GRE Subject Test. The preferred GRE score is verbal + quantitative ≥ 1000 minimum, essay ≥ 3.0. Specific minimum acceptable scores may slightly vary by the faculty committee’s evaluation.

Can I request a waiver for GRE?

The GRE is required for all applicants seeking admission into the M.S. degree program in Environmental Science. Waiver of the GRE test requirement may be granted to applicants with an earned doctoral degree (PhD, JD, MD, etc.) from an accredited university in the U.S. or an earned Master’s degree in a closely related field from an accredited university in the U.S. If you meet the exemption criteria, please contact sceadvising@uhcl.edu for information on how to request a waiver.

What application materials should I prepare for graduate application?

For M.S. degree applicants, you should have official GRE, TOEFL (for international students), and all official transcripts submitted. The UHCL reporting code is 6916. There is no department code. Please allow at least three weeks for your score to be recorded in the UHCL system. We also require a personal statement outlining academic background, academic and career goals, and declaration of a sub-plan under the Environmental Science degree plan. We strongly recommend that you submit two recommendation letters. The letters should be addressed to SCE Dean’s Office, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058.

What are the possibilities of getting financial aid?

There are several channels to receive financial aid. Please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. It is also possible to receive a teaching assistantship (TA) or a research assistantship (RA). To qualify for a TA or RA, you must have an official Candidate Plan of Study (CPS) on file.

What are the basic requirements prior to my application for admission into M.S. degree in environmental science?

Students seeking a master’s degree must have coursework appropriate to their area of specialization. At least 34 hours of natural science and 6 hours of math are required prior to admission. Students should have the following courses completed:

What if I lack some of the above courses?

The following must be completed prior to or within the first year of study: Organic Chemistry I and Statistics. Domestic students with a deficiency may be admitted on “Conditional Admission Status”.

Prior to my official admission, can I take courses at UHCL and later transfer those credits into the graduate degree program?

You may take as many as courses here as a non-degree seeking student as you would like. However, you can transfer a maximum of 6 credit hours of the courses you took before admission, and in order for those credit hours to be used in an M.S. degree plan, you must get approval from a faculty advisor in your sub-plan. Courses at the 3xxx level cannot be used for graduate credit.

How do I register for courses at UHCL?

Upon acceptance to UHCL, you will be sent a log-in ID and password to access the UHCL registration system, E-Services. Students can register themselves for courses via the Internet. For assistance with E-Services, contact the Student Assistance Center (SAC) at 281-283-2SAC.

When and where do I receive my degree plan/candidate plan of study (CPS)?

Students generally complete their degree plan during the first semester of coursework. Your academic advisor will draft your degree plan and notify you and your faculty advisor when it is ready. You should then schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor to finalize the course work in your CPS.

What courses can I take my first semester?

Call or make an appointment with your faculty advisor for best guidance.