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    Program Detail

    Aquatic & Fishery Sciences (PhD)

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    Basic Information

    Degree Information

    Degree Offered:
    Campus:
    Seattle

    Admission Requirements and Contact Information


    Applications are only accepted for the autumn quarter once per year. All application materials, including transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and narrative statements, are due by the November 15 application deadline.

    Contact Information

    School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Student Services Office
    Program Website
    +1 206-543-7457
    safsadv@uw.edu

    Requirements and Prerequisites
    A minimum 3.0 grade-point-average on a 4-point scale (or equivalent measures of performance if a graduate of an institution with no grading system) for those credits earned at the institution awarding the bachelor’s degree OR at least a 3.0 grade-point-average (on a 4-point scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits. For more information, please refer to Policy 3.1 Graduate Admissions.

    GRE General exam is NOT required.  GRE subject test is NOT required.

    Incoming students who have not already earned a M.S. degree will initially be admitted into our M.S. program. All students admitted into the MS program in the Aquatic & Fishery Sciences graduate program will have the option of applying to bypass the MS degree to enter the PhD program, typically at the end of their second year of study. For that reason, prospective students who do not have a master's should apply to the M.S. program.

    Additional Instructions
    All application materials are due by the November 15 application deadline:

    • Graduate School application form & materials (this form)
    • Letters of recommendation (electronic ONLY, no paper) - minimum 2; maximum 4

    DO NOT submit writing samples or publications - we do not accept them as part of the application process. Applicants are welcome to reach out to potential advisers with questions about writing samples.

    For prospective students who do not qualify for the UW Graduate School fee waiver, SAFS offers to use School funds to pre-pay the application fee of applicants who participate in approved pathway programs whose work aligns with the SAFS diversity mission.
    To be considered, complete this form.

    Please submit this form BEFORE submitting your graduate application. We cannot pay fees retroactively for applications that have already been paid for and submitted.



    Non-Native English Speaker Information
    Graduate School requirement: English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency as outlined in Graduate School Policy 3.2.

    International Student Information
    Applicants who will need a visa should reference the International Applicant Information page. If admitted to the program, international students requesting an F1 or J1 visa will be required to provide financial ability documentation to the UW Graduate School.

    No additional application materials are needed for fellowship or assistantship consideration within the department. Some fellowships are available for exceptional students.

    GRE score report code, (if applicable)


    4854

    Program Deadlines


    Autumn 2025 - Domestic:
    Open Date: 09/01/2024
    Deadline Date: 11/15/2024

    Autumn 2025 - International:
    Open Date: 09/01/2024
    Deadline Date: 11/15/2024

    Spring 2026 - Domestic:
    Open Date: 03/01/2025
    Deadline Date:

    Spring 2026 - International:
    Open Date: 03/01/2025
    Deadline Date:

    Summer 2025 - Domestic:
    Open Date: 09/01/2024
    Deadline Date:

    Summer 2025 - International:
    Open Date: 09/01/2024
    Deadline Date:

    Summer 2026 - Domestic:
    Open Date: 06/01/2025
    Deadline Date:

    Summer 2026 - International:
    Open Date: 06/01/2025
    Deadline Date:

    Winter 2026 - Domestic:
    Open Date: 01/01/2025
    Deadline Date:

    Winter 2026 - International:
    Open Date: 01/01/2025
    Deadline Date:

    Application Materials


    Personal Statement
    2 Recommendation
    Resume
    Statement of Purpose