Education

Graduate Degrees in Space and Planetary Sciences

Application Deadline

January 1 for Full Consideration for Fall Admission

For application to the SPAC graduate programs go to Graduate Degree Seeking Students on the Graduate School and International Education website, review the requirements, and submit the following per instructions:

  1. Graduate School application
  2. GRE scores (recommended but not required)
  3. Three letters of recommendation
  4. Curriculum Vitae
  5. Official Transcripts
  6. Application Fee

In addition, submit the following directly to the Program Director

  • Personal statement of interest in the program and Curriculum Vitae, including GPA and GRE score information, if available
    • Send these documents to:
      • Dr. Larry Roe, Director
        Graduate Degree Programs in Space and Planetary Sciences lar@uark.edu

The Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, in partnership with the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Electrical Engineering, Geosciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics, offers the following graduate degree programs and program options:

  • PhD in space and planetary sciences
  • MS in space and planetary sciences
  • PhD in biology with a concentration in space and planetary sciences
  • MS in geology with a concentration in space and planetary sciences
  • MS in geography with a concentration in space and planetary sciences
  • PhD in physics with a concentration in space and planetary sciences

The hours of required coursework are similar for these programs, except that the departmental electives are partially replaced by courses in the space and planetary sciences. For the MS and PhD in space and planetary sciences the coursework is as follows:

  • Space and Planetary Science General Courses
  • Planetary Astronomy Core Area Course
  • Planetary Atmospheres Core Area Course
  • Planetary Geology Core Area Course
  • Orbital Mechanics and Astronautics Core Area Course
  • Origin and Evolution of Life Core Area Course

PhD students are required to take all the general courses, four of the five core area courses, and electives from within the area that best suits their interests. MS students take all the general courses, three of the five core area courses, and suitable electives.