Admissions Process

Admission

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Application Timelines

All programs accept applications for a fall semester start.

Domestic + Non-F1 Applicants: All GPS Degrees: MBA, MS, MED
Milestone	First Round	Second Round	Final Round
Submit Application	December 1	February 1	April 15
Program Decision	January 16	March 15	June 1
Financial Aid Package	January 23	March 21	June 6

*Includes international applicants who do not need an F1/J1 visa

International Applicants: MS & MED Degrees**
Milestone	First Round	Final Round
Submit Application	December 1	March 15
Program Decision	January 16	April 17
Financial Aid Package	January 23	April 24

**Applicants who require an F1/J1 student visa are eligible to apply for the MS in Environmental Policy, MS in Climate Science and Policy, or MEd in Environmental Education. F1/J1 students are not eligible for admission to the MBA in Sustainability. Please refer to the International Applicants page for more information.

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 will need to complete the courses prior to enrollment.

A grade of B- or higher in prerequisite courses is required to enroll in our programs. The required courses for each program can be found 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.

1. Complete the Online Application

The fall 2023 application will open September 1st, 2022.

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.

2. Earn an Application Fee Wavier

Earn an $65 Application Fee Waiver by:

Schedule a call with our Enrollment Director
Attend an Online Information Session
Join a Virtual Open House
Experience a Virtual Class Visit

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 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.