​Admissions Requirements

Printable: Admissions Requirements

Application Packet

The application packet should include the following information:

• One set of official transcripts for all collegiate course work (required)
• CV or resume (required)
• TOEFL scores (if degree is from a non-English curriculum, see LSU Graduate website for more information)
• Three letters of recommendation (required; official letterhead strongly preferred)
• Statement of Purpose (required)
• Writing sample (for example, scientific or extension publication, class report, research paper) (required)
• A remote interview with a potential Advisor is strongly recommended
• Official verbal and quantitative GRE scores are recommended but not required

Minimum Requirements for Acceptance

The Department requires students to have the following minimum requirements:

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
• A minimum TOEFL score of 79 (if degree is from a non-English curriculum)

Students with a degrees from a non-English curriculum not meeting the minimum TOEFL score should consider retaking the exam before submitting their application. Exceptional students with GPAs below 3.0 may be considered for a provisional status.

Application process

After the completed application is received and processed by the Graduate School, it is forwarded to the Entomology Department for review by the Admissions Committee. While the Admissions Committee provides recommendations on acceptance, final approval will be determined by the Graduate School. We strongly encourage interested applicants to identify a potential advisor prior to the application process.

Assistantships and Fellowships

Admission to the LSU Graduate School and Department of Entomology does not constitute an offer of financial support. Incoming graduate students are encouraged to apply for University and Departmental assistantships. LSU offers highly competitive research fellowships and assistantships for outstanding M.S. and Ph.D. students. These are administered through the Department, Graduate School and the College of Agriculture, and most require applications that should be submitted by mid-February for the following Fall semester.

In addition, graduate research and teaching assistantships are awarded by the Department to qualified students on a competitive basis and are half-time (i.e., 20 hours/week) research or teaching appointments. Students must maintain satisfactory performance to remain on an assistantship. This requires maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), and satisfactory progress on a research project. The expected periods of time for students to complete the M.S. and Ph. D. degrees are 2 ½ and 4-5 years, respectively, and departmental assistantships are generally not extended beyond these time periods. Stipends for graduate students vary depending on the source of funds and possible supplements (i.e., from the Graduate School or grants). Tuition (but not other fees) is waived for students receiving graduate assistantships.

 

How to Apply

Printable: How to Apply

Applications for graduate study within the LSU's Department of Entomology are submitted through the LSU graduate school. NOTE: Admission to graduate school does not guarantee financial support by the Department. We strongly recommend reaching out to potential faculty advisors prior to submission (e.g., email communications, remote interview), although this is not required. If you have questions regarding the admissions process, you may contact our administrative assistant for academic matters, Dawn Norman. You can also read through our list of frequently asked questions below. The deadlines for admissions can be found below, but students seeking departmental support should apply earlier. These dates may change, and potential students are advised to consult the graduate school website.

Graduate School inquiries:

If you would like to request more information regarding our graduate program, please contact our current department head, Michael Stout.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does admission to graduate school guarantee financial support?

No. Offers of financial support (research or teaching assistantships) are separate from the offer of admission. Potential students should communicate with their intended faculty advisor or with the department head to determine whether financial support is available.

What are the degree requirements?

Detailed information regarding degree requirements can be found in our handbook. Requirements differ depending on type of degree (MS or PhD). In general, we require 30 credit hours for a Master's, and 54 credit hours for a PhD.

How long does it take to get a graduate degree?

On average, it takes Master's students about 2 – 2 ½ years to finish, and 4 - 5 years for PhD students. This is all dependent on course load, research, and other responsibilities.

What are the application deadlines?

Applications from domestic students for summer admissions should be completed by May 1, applications for the fall should be completed by June 30^th, and applications for the spring should be completed by November 15. Applications from international students have earlier deadlines, April 15 for fall and October 1 for spring.If you would like to be considered for a departmental assistantship, earlier applications are recommended.

Can I apply if I have not identified a potential advisor?

Yes. However, we strongly recommend first reaching out to potential advisors for your graduate degree before applying. Those students not indicating a potential advisor in their application will be reviewed by the admissions committee. Those being accepted into the program will be designated an advisor if funding is available.

What are the requirements for admission?

We adhere to the graduate school requirements (see “Admission Requirements”). This includes a 3.0 GPA and, for international students, an acceptable TOEFL (79) or IELTS scores. Students not meeting these requirements may be considered for provisional acceptance, if approved by the department head.

Where can I find more information on the entomology department's graduate degree programs?

You can learn more about course requirements, areas of study, and other departmental information by reading our graduate handbook.

How can I find out more about funding for my graduate degree?

There are numerous assistantships and fellowship programs available. Find out more about funding opportunities for students at LSU.