30 hours

Apply to the UGA Graduate School and include the following:

a) Three Letters of recommendation b) C.V. c) Statement of Purpose that addresses background (particularly research), objectives, and career goals. Letter should specifically address the applicant’s prospective advisor at UGA and how working with them at UGA will help the applicant reach their goals. d) Official transcript e) Although there are no formal course requirements for admission, previous coursework and training should reflect preparation for advanced study in geology (e.g. coursework in geology, work experience, research experience, publications, presentations, REU participation, M.S. or senior thesis). f) For students whose primary language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. Students need to submit official university documents according to the UGA Graduate School requirements. Students will also have to show certificate of finances upon acceptance to the program. g) Application deadline is 1 January for the following fall.

The Ph.D. degree in Geology is designed to be flexible and accommodate the professional goals of the student. Requirements include:

1) At least 30 total credit hours 2) At least 16 hours (20 hours for students without a master's degree) of 8000- and 9000-level courses, excluding GEOL 9000 and GEOL 9300.

Choose 11 credit hour(s) from the following:

Courses chosen with academic advisor. Elective courses are not limited to Geology courses.

*If selected for a teaching assistantship

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.

Geology graduate students do well in the job market. Of our graduates in the past five years, 90% are now employed in the earth sciences. Over half are employed in the private sector as geologists, including petroleum geology, minerals exploration, and environmental geology. About a third are employed in academia.

Qualified students will be nominated by the Graduate Program Committee for Graduate School Presidential Fellows awards. Students also are encouraged to seek outside fellowships and scholarships (e.g., NSF Graduate Research Fellowships) and to apply for research grants from geological and other scientific societies (GSA, AGU, SEPM, Sigma Xi, etc.)

In consultation with their committees, students may pursue research opportunities outside of UGA.

In consultation with their committees, students may engage in internship opportunities.

Students are encouraged to present their research at conferences, professional meetings, and symposia. The Geology Department, several geological societies, and the UGA Graduate School have student travel grant applications for those that are presenting their research. Students are also encouraged to apply for student research grants from geological and other scientific societies, present talks or poster sessions of their research at professional meetings, and to publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.

Graduate students in Geology have informal social gatherings and meetings to discuss their research.