Fall 2027 Admission
to our Research-Based Master's or PhD
Applications Open: 1 August 2026
Close: 15 December (2026)
Applications remain open for our Professional Science Master's and Online CyberGIS Master's programs, which have rolling deadlines. Please visit their pages for more information and apply via the Graduate College application portal.
Please note:
- No Spring admission for our research-based MA/MS/PhD.
- No application fee waivers for international applicants.
- GRE scores are not required or considered when applying to any of our graduate programs.
Applications to all programs must be submitted via the Graduate College portal.
Application fee = $90 USD.
Specific domestic applicants may qualify for application fee waivers. More info at Graduate College admissions.
Please do not email application documents or credentials to the department before applying. They will not be reviewed unless submitted as part of a completed Graduate College application.
Required Application Materials for on-campus, research-based degree programs
- Academic Statement of purpose (max. 1,000 words)
- Applicants are welcome, but not required, to contact potential tenure-track faculty advisor(s) and share their research interests before submitting an application.
- Research and Teaching Faculty do not advise graduate students or serve on committees.
- Research and Teaching Faculty do not advise graduate students or serve on committees.
- Applicants are welcome, but not required, to contact potential tenure-track faculty advisor(s) and share their research interests before submitting an application.
- Personal Statement (max. 250 words each)
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
Your recommenders should submit their letters electronically through the Graduate College online application system. If recommenders are unable to receive the Slate-generated email (or reminder email) with letter submission link, they can email the letter directly to our Graduate Program Contact Matt Cohn (mcohn@illinois.edu), who can then upload their letter to your application.- Reference letters can still be received after the 15 December application deadline.
- Reference letters can still be received after the 15 December application deadline.
- Unofficial transcript(s) and certification of degree(s)
Uploaded documents must include your name and the institution name. Include a copy of the transcript legend or university key (back page in most cases) for each institution. The University of Illinois does not accept credentials or evaluations provided by third party evaluation companies such as WES and ECE.- Official transcripts are only required if you are offered admission and enroll in our program. Do not mail your transcripts or degree certificates to the department!
- Official transcripts are only required if you are offered admission and enroll in our program. Do not mail your transcripts or degree certificates to the department!
- Additional Requirements for International Applicants:
- English Language test scores
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of U.S. citizenship. The Graduate College does allow exemptions for applicants with previous degrees or work experience in the U.S.; or those from a list of specific countries. Please visit the above link for details.
- International and/or non-native English speaking U.S. residents must meet Graduate College requirements for International Teaching Assistants before the department can offer a teaching assistant (TA) position.
- Review the requirements specific to your home country on the Graduate College website.
- English Language test scores
Funding for Research-based Master's and PhD students
Submitting an application for admission by the required deadline places you in the candidate pool for departmental funding consideration, in the form of teaching (TA) and research (RA) assistantships, and fellowships (for PhD students only); all of which provide a monthly stipend during the academic year and full waiver of tuition and most fees. There is no separate application for TA / RA positions and Funding/admission offers are the same for domestic and international applicants.
Please see the Office of the Registrar website for tuition and fee details.
Admitted applicants must request their final, official transcripts (showing completion of degree) to be sent directly from their previous institution(s) directly to the Graduate College.
Please review the Graduate College Application Checklist. All admission decisions and requests for further information/documents will be communicated via email to the email address provided in your application.
International applicants may need to submit a Declaration and Certification of Finances to be eligible for visa documents (I-20 or DS-2019) if the value of their tuition waiver and assistantship does not meet the minimum financial requirements set by the Graduate College.
Program of Study (CIP) Codes
Our degree programs have different CIP codes depending on their academic and practical focus.
30.4401: Geography & Environmental Studies (STEM designated)
- Master of Science (MS); including Professional Science Master's
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
45.0701: Geography (not STEM)
- Master of Arts (MA)
Additional Questions?
Graduate Program Administrator: Matt Cohn
Director of Graduate Studies (MA, MS, PhD): Dr. Chunyuan Diao
Professional Science Master's (PSM in GIS) Advisor: Dr. Michael Minn
Online Master's in CyberGIS & Geospatial Data Science: Dr. Anand Padmanabhan