Admission Information

Admissions Process

In our admissions process, we seek evidence that our students have the following knowledge, abilities, and dispositions:

1. Motives to teach that include a strong social commitment to contribute to society through education;
2. A disposition to care for their students—each and every one;
3. An ability to interact positively with children and adults;
4. A capacity to win the respect of their peers and be effective in group interaction, showing openness to the needs and views of others;
5. Well-developed communication skills, including speaking, writing, and listening skills as well as an ability to engage others in both the giving and receiving of information and feelings; perceptiveness—the ability to identify and process the relevant details in their environment, especially in the context of a teaching setting;
6. The ability to make reasonable judgments in a context of complex situations that change from moment to moment;
7. The capacity for clear thinking and an ability to translate their thoughts into simple and clear explanations;
8. Superior academic skills, extensive knowledge of at least one major discipline, intellectual curiosity, the ability to be open to the unknown;
9. A disposition to take change of their own learning, which includes the active pursuit of feedback and the willingness to take thoughtful risks.

Admissions Requirements

The admissions requirements for the program are:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
• G.P.A. of 2.7 or higher
• Undergraduate science requirement: at least five life science or physical science courses
• Official UNH application (Admission to all Education graduate degree programs requires application to The Graduate School, Room 109, Thompson Hall, 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824-3547. You may request an application or fill out an online application at the admissions page of The Graduate School website.)
• Two copies of official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate academic work
• Personal essay outlining relevant interests, preparation, goals, and discussion of how your life experiences have shaped your beliefs about teaching and learning
• Three recommendations (at least two academic letters are recommended) from persons able to assess an applicant’s experience and preparation for graduate work in Environmental Education.
• Non-refundable application fee

Applications are reviewed by the program's Executive Committee. This committee includes faculty members from a variety of departments and reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the program. Promising students who fail to meet one or more of the admissions criteria may be admitted conditionally, with a plan to address their specific needs. The Master of Arts in Environmental Education program has a rolling admissions policy, with applications and supporting materials being reviewed twice during the fall semester and twice during the spring semester.

Financial Assistance

Financial Aid

All students admitted to the program are considered in the distribution of available support; no additional application is required. We encourage students to contact the UNH Financial Aid Office to investigate additional sources of funding. Applicants may call (603) 862-3600 or email Financial.Aid@unh.edu.

Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships

Need- and merit-based aid is available to graduate students through the Graduate School in the form of assistantships and tuition scholarships (apply on the graduate school application); and through the UNH Financial Aid Office in the form of loans (e.g., Perkins Loans) and the college work-study program. Decisions on assistantships and scholarships are often made early in the spring semester for aid during the following academic year.

The MAEE program offers several half-time tuition scholarships based on merit and need.

For further information regarding loans and the college work-study program, contact the UNH Financial Aid Office, Stoke Hall.