Admissions Process

Admission

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Benefits of Applying Early

Early applicants receive priority in interview scheduling and are considered first for both program admission and Bard’s limited scholarship funding.

Prerequisite Courses

Each program has different prerequisite requirements. Students DO NOT have take these prerequisite courses in order to apply and be admitted to our programs.

Admitted students who have not completed the prerequisites will be offered conditional acceptance and must complete the courses prior to enrollment. A grade of B- or higher is required in all prerequisite courses. The requirements for each program are outlined below:

The M.S. degrees require students to have completed two science courses intended for science majors (biology, chemistry, ecology, etc.). Students who have not completed these courses must complete them at another institution, as they are not provided by the Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability.
The M.Ed. degree requires students to have completed two science courses intended for science majors (biology, chemistry, ecology, etc.) and college-level algebra (or higher-level math). Students who have not completed these courses must complete them at another institution, as they are not provided by the Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability.
The MBA degree requires students to have completed introductory accounting and microeconomics courses. Students who have not completed these courses at the time of acceptance will take the courses through Bard MBA via online summer courses taught by Bard faculty.

No GRE/GMAT Required

In holding with Bard College's longstanding policy of optional submission of standardized test requirements, and in an effort to remove barriers to entry to the sustainability field, Bard GPS no long requires the GRE or GMAT tests for admission to the programs.

International Students

Due to the differing structure of our MS/M.Ed and MBA programs, different visa options are available to international students for different degree programs. Please read the International Applicants page closely to ensure you understand your eligibility for each degree offering.

Financial Aid

Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability (GPS) offers financial assistance in the form of fellowships, scholarships, project assistantships, campus employment, and student loans. Awards are made each year on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, and available funding. Financial aid is awarded without regard to sex, sexual orientation, race, color, age, marital status, religion, ethnic or national origin, or handicapping conditions.

Important Notes:

Students must apply for financial aid at the same time they apply for admission.
Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Aid is not stackable (students receive the single highest award for which they qualify).
In order to apply for any financial aid, U.S. citizens must submit a FAFSA and international students must submit an International Application for Financial Aid.

For more information, visit our Financial Aid page.

1. Complete the Online Application

Create an account in our online application system and complete all required fields. Applicants to a dual program (MS/MBA, MS/MAT) should complete an application for each program.

Applications can be started here.

2. Earn an Application Fee Wavier

Earn an $65 Application Fee Waiver by:

Scheduling a call with our Enrollment Director
Attending an Online Information Session
Joining a Virtual Open House
Visiting Class

Click here to view upcoming opportunities to earn a fee waiver.

3. Write a Personal Statement

Provide a written personal statement that addresses the following points. Personal statements should be a maximum of 1000 words, double spaced, and submitted with your online application.

Introduce yourself, providing context for your interest in joining Bard's Graduate Programs in Sustainability to pursue a purpose-driven career. Tell us how your personal, academic and/or professional experiences have informed your desire to do this work and the impact you hope to have with your career.
Speak to the environmental or social problem around which you see the biggest opportunity to drive change. Tell us what the issue is, why you’re motivated by it (be specific), and why you think it's poised for meaningful change.

4. Request Two Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for admission, preferably from both an academic and professional source. Letters may be submitted through the online application system. When prompted in the Recommendations section of the application, enter each recommender's name and contact information. The recommender will then receive an email with detailed instructions on how to submit his or her recommendation online.

5. Submit Transcripts

In order to complete your application, you must provide transcripts for each institution of higher education that you have ever attended. We are able to accept unofficial transcripts for the admissions process, and you will be able to upload your unofficial transcripts in this application. You are also welcome to email unofficial transcripts to gpsadmissions@bard.edu.

If you are admitted and accept your admissions, then you will be required to submit official transcripts from each institution of higher education that you have ever attended. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution(s) to the Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability. Official transcripts can be:

Mailed directly to Bard:
Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability
PO Box 5000
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504

OR
Emailed directly to Bard via a e-transcripts service.
They should be sent to gpsadmissions@bard.edu

6. Submit a Resume/CV

A current resume or curriculum vitae highlighting your professional experience and relevant qualifications should be submitted with your online application.

7. Complete and Submit a Financial Aid Application

All applicants requesting any sort of financial aid (loans, fellowships, campus employment) must complete a FAFSA or International Application for Financial Aid. Applicants should use code 002671 when submitting their FAFSA.

8. Schedule an Admission Interview

You may be invited for a personal online interview with the Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability Admissions Committee. If you qualify for an admissions interview, you will receive an email notification with additional information.