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 to 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 longer requires the GRE or GMAT tests for admission to the programs.

International Students

The MS/MEd programs and the MBA program have different structures, and visa eligibility is different for each. 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. Written Reflections

Written Reflections: As part of your application, you will respond to three short prompts. These written reflections help us better understand your motivations, your alignment with Bard GPS, and your perspective on sustainability and justice. Each response should be no more than 500 words.

You will be asked to reflect on:

Your career aspirations: What kind of impact do you hope to make, and what motivates you to pursue this path?
Your program fit: Which degree program are you applying to at Bard GPS, and why is this program the right fit for your goals and values?
A question of your choice:
- If you could instantly change one sustainability-related system or structure in the world, what would you change—and what would you hope happens next?
- What’s one thing you’ve seen, read, or experienced that fundamentally shifted your perspective on sustainability or justice?
- Who is a sustainability or justice leader you admire—and what lesson have you taken from their example?

Please note: The purpose of these reflections is to give our Admissions Committee a deeper understanding of who you are, and why you are interested in Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability. As such, we ask that you do not use artificial intelligence software (such as ChatGPT) to write your responses.

4. Request Two Recommendations

As part of your application, you will need two recommendations, ideally from both an academic and a professional source. In the "Recommendations" section of the application, enter each recommender’s name and contact information. They will then receive an email with instructions to complete a short evaluation form that includes both ratings and open-ended questions.

If your recommender prefers, they may submit a traditional letter of recommendation instead of answering the open-ended questions. Both options are accepted.

View Sample Recommendation Forms:

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.