Thank you for your interest in the Animal Sciences graduate program! Masters and Ph.D. programs are both offered in the Animal Sciences Graduate Program.
Admissions Instructions
Our program requires prospective students to find a faculty advisor before applying. Review the graduate faculty list and directly contact the faculty member whose research interests you. Faculty receive many emails from prospective students, so it is strongly advised that you explain clearly why you would be interested in working in their lab and that you also understand their research. Faculty will inform you if they have an opening in their lab and/or if an assistantship is available. If you don’t get a response, it is likely they are not taking new students at this time. Indicate in your personal statement which faculty member has agreed to be your advisor.
All materials are submitted electronically through the online application system through the University of Minnesota's Graduate School website. Admission decisions are communicated to applicants using this system. A decision for admission notice will be sent to you once your application is reviewed by our Admission Committee. General information about the University of Minnesota Graduate School and other application information can be found at https://grad.umn.edu/admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The prerequisites for admission into the Animal Sciences Graduate Program are:
- Masters degree: a baccalaureate degree or its international equivalent in agriculture, biology, or a closely related field. Applicants should have substantial training in chemistry, mathematics, physics, and statistics. A minimum baccalaureate grade point average of 3.0 is required for admission to the Masters program.
Ph.D. degree: a Masters degree unless under certain circumstances. Applicants should have substantial training in chemistry, mathematics, physics, and statistics. A minimum Masters grade point average of 3.0 is required for admission to the Ph.D. program. - The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. Submitted GRE scores will be removed from the application.
- International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency unless coursework has been completed in a designated country. We accept the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score. The Univ. of Minnesota code is 6874 and the department is 99. Please read the graduate schools requirements for minimum scores for entry.
- Three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic and research capabilities are strongly encouraged. Names and complete contact information for the three referees must be entered online.
- Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly to the online application. International students should also upload an English translation if the transcript is not in English. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts. There is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material.
- Both the personal and diversity statement is required. In the personal statement, describe your objectives, goals and any prior research experience. Indicate in your personal statement the faculty member who has agreed to be your advisor. A writing statement is not required.