Admission

Undergraduate 

Visit KU Admissions to apply now, or to learn more about undergraduate study at the University of Kansas. 

The Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science offers four undergraduate degrees. Since each degree offers a different educational experience, students should carefully consider which degree is most appropriate to meet their educational goals. In all of the degrees, students have to meet the KU Core Requirements and/or requirements set by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the specific requirements for the majors set by the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science.

  • Undergraduates may enter the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science directly or as a transfer student from KU or other colleges and universities.
  • Transfer students from a Kansas community college or a Kansas college or university must have a 2.0 or higher GPA and be in good standing with their previous institution.
  • Students transferring from an out-of-state institution should have at least 24 credit hours at the time of application with a 2.5 or higher GPA from a community college or another regionally accredited college or university.
  • Transfer students should visit the Office of Admissions and Scholarships for specific transfer requirements.  

Contact Barb Higgins Dover, the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science undergraduate advisor, with any questions.

Honors Program

To be accepted as a candidate for honors, a major must have completed at least 6 hours of upper-division credit in geography with a grade-point average of 3.50 in all geography courses and an overall average of at least 3.25.

KU Admissions Contact Information

KU Office of Admissions and Scholarships

Jayhawk Welcome Center

1266 Oread Ave.

Lawrence, KS 66045

adm@ku.edu

785-864-3911

Graduate 

At the University of Kansas, a single application form covers admission and department financial aid.  The items listed below must all be received before the department can make an evaluation and admit a new student to the program. 

Those who wish to enter in the fall semester and to be considered for a fellowship or teaching assistantship must submit all materials by January 5. The application deadline for the spring semester is October 1.

Apply now, or learn more about graduate study at the University of Kansas. 

The following items must be received to complete the application file:

Items 1 through 6 can be submitted on-line.

  1. A completed Graduate Application Form.

     
  2. The required application fee.

     
  3. A current resume/CV

     
  4. A Statement of Interest and Goals.  This is included in the on-line application form.  The Graduate Studies Committee places considerable importance on the thoughtfulness of your remarks – in particular, we are interested in learning about:



    (1) Your specific interests within geography or atmospheric science and why they are important and interesting to you.

    (2) What you envision as your educational and career objectives and how a degree from KU Geography & Atmospheric Science helps to meet those objectives.

    (3) Which of our faculty members you think would be an appropriate graduate advisor and mentor.

     
  5. A scanned copy of an official transcript can be uploaded at the time of application. Official, degree conferred transcripts will be required prior to the second semester of study. 



    NOTE: Documents uploaded with your application are not considered official. KU does not consider transcripts that come from applicants or that have been in the applicant's possession as official.

     
  6. Three confidential letters of recommendation sent by referees who are familiar with your academic and/or professional activities and who can address your likelihood of success in graduate school. If possible, we prefer letters from professors, but applicants returning to school after a lengthy absence may substitute letters from supervisors. 



    Note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to request and to confirm that the required letters have been sent by the deadline. When using the on-line reference form to list references, you must include valid e-mail addresses. Once you have completed and submitted your application, your references will be contacted directly via email with directions for submitting their letters of recommendation.

**Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for the application. Applicants may choose to submit GRE scores if they feel it will help inform the department of their academic abilities. However, choosing not to submit scores will not affect your chances of admission.** 

**The department will only offer admission to students with confirmed funding through Graduate Research Assistantship, Graduate Research Assistantship, University Fellowship, or External fellowship funding.**

Application Fees:

Domestic: $65

International: $85.00

To Submit an application fee waiver request, please complete the fee waiver request form located on the graduate admissions website.

  1. Completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or other evidence of English proficiency.
  2. In addition, the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and a telephone or personal interview are required before a non-native English speaker can be offered a teaching assistantship.  The minimum acceptable score on the TSE is 50.

Non-degree seeking students (NDS) are admitted on a rolling basis and must submit an application at graduate.ku.edu. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants must include the materials below in their application. 

  1. Copy of official transcripts including proof of a bachelor's degree.
  2. Proof of English proficiency, if it is a second language.
  3. Statement of purpose and interests. 

View full details about applying with non-degree seeking student status.

Financial Aid

There are many opportunities for financial aid. The department awards numerous University and Departmental Scholarships to its students, outlined below. Information is also provided about student employment and work-study. More financial aid resources can be found at the University of Kansas Office of Student Financial Aid.

The University of Kansas Department of Geography & Atmospheric Science

Undergraduate Student Scholarships

The Department's Undergraduate committee, through review of all undergraduate Geography and Atmospheric Science students, presents a number of merit-based awards to promising junior-level majors. Additionally, the John Cowan Scholarship is available to provide assistance to students pursuing a professional career in the field of geography. 

Student Employment and Work-Study

Several research assistantships are normally offered through the Kansas Geological Survey, the Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program, KU Cartographic Services, and other units. In addition, student hourly and work-study employment with the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science is available. Students should visit University Career Center in Summerfield Hall for a complete list of student hourly positions at the University of Kansas.

Ph.D. Scholarships and Fellowships

The Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship is a unique and outstanding program which is looking for exceptional students who can demonstrate they have the talent and leadership to make significant contributions not only in their field of study but in society as a whole.  Payment is through appointment as a graduate research assistant or a graduate teaching assistant. Self Graduate Fellows will receive $34,000 a year for four years. The total value of the four-year doctoral fellowship exceeds $200,000. Since departments identify and nominate admitted students in late January, it is beneficial to contact these departments early and complete a graduate school application during the fall semester.

Cost of Attendance