Admission to the Ph.D. program

To apply for admission to Ph.D. study in T&S, applicants must have:

1. A bachelor’s degree in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, or a closely related area from an accredited college or university; and
2. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.
3. Please note:  the department has decided to waive the GRE General Test requirement.
4. Applicants with domestic credentials must submit an official transcript from each undergraduate college or university attended, regardless of whether a degree was conferred.  Applicants must also submit an official transcript from each college or university relating to graduate level work, regardless of whether a degree was conferred.

5. Applicants with international credentials must submit an official English translation of all coursework showing a complete course-by-course record, GPA, degree, and institution, in addition to the original documents. SBU graduate admissions personnel will evaluate coursework, GPA, degree requirements and institutional equivalence. In some instances where the coursework, degree equivalency, GPA, and/or institution cannot be verified, a course-by-course evaluation from one of Stony Brook University's approved NACES members listed here, may be requested from the applicant; World Education Services (WES), International Education Evaluations, Inc (IEE), Education Credential Evaluators (ICE)

6. Unofficial copies for both domestic and international credentials are acceptable for an admission decision to be made. If admitted, the applicant must submit final official transcripts/evaluations sent directly from the college/university or evaluation agency as noted above. 

Applications must include:

1. Three letters of recommendation;
2. A Statement of Purpose describing the applicant’s relevant past experience and immediate and long-term goals. Applicants should describe how the type of research that they expect to conduct while in the program relates to one of the department’s research areas, energy and environmental systems and engineering education, management, and policy.
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV);
4. If your native or primary language is not English, you must complete a test to measure your English proficiency is required.  The department and Graduate School accept TOEFL and IELTS examination scores.  The minimum score for TOEFL is 90 and an overall score of 6.5 with no subsection below 6.0 for IELTS.  The Stony Brook University school code is 2548. There is no separate code for the department.

All official transcripts, recommendation letters, CVs (those not uploaded in the Graduate School’s online application system), etc. must be sent to the following address:  Office of Graduate and Health Sciences Admissions, Stony Brook University, Health Sciences Tower, Level 2, Room 271, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8276.  Official E-Transcripts: email to gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu

Students applying to the Ph.D. program can complete an application online at the Graduate School's web site.

Additional information about the application process can be found at the Graduate School’s Application Checklist web site. 

The deadline for submission of applications and all supporting documents for the Fall 2024 semester for prospective Ph.D. students is January 17, 2024.

Supporting documents include:  three letters of recommendations, a Statement of Purpose and Curriculum Vitae (CV) and English proficiency scores (TOELF or IELTS exams) which must be sent electronically sent to Stony Brook University (2548).  We will not accept supporting documents after the January 17, 2024 deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the deadline for my Supporting Documents? (those not uploaded in the Graduate School’s online application system)

   All supporting documents, including the English Proficiency test score, must be received by the application deadline. There are no exceptions to this requirement. Your English Proficiency test score must be submitted to Stony Brook University (School Code: 2548) by the application deadline in order for your application to be reviewed.

2. Where do I mail my supporting documents? (The supporting documents are the documents that are not loaded into the online application system.)

   Office of Graduate and Health Sciences Admissions

   Stony Brook University

   Health Sciences Tower, Level 2, Room 271

   Stony Brook, NY 11794-8276

   Student Inquiries:   gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu 

   Visit us on the web:   www.stonybrook.edu/graduate-admissions

   Official E-Transcripts: email to gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu

3. I was educated in an English- speaking environment. Do I still need to take the TOEFL or the IELTS exam? 

   The answer depends on the amount of time you were educated in English and whether you consider English as a native or primary language. For more details, please see our Graduate School’s web site or contact Marypat Taveras.

4. Is there a GRE requirement?

   No.  Department faculty have decided to waive the GRE requirement.

5. Do you offer financial support to Graduate students?

   Students offered full-time admission to our Ph.D. program are supported with a stipend and tuition. Typically, full-time students are offered four years of funding—with yearly support contingent on good standing and continued progress in the Ph.D. program.

6. How do I write my Statement of Purpose?

   The aim of the Statement of Purpose is to provide information that will allow reviewers to see how your background, education, and experience make you a strong candidate for this specific Ph.D. program. Please comment on any work, research or otherwise, that you have done that may have prepared you for the rigors of our Ph.D. program. Also, it may be helpful to comment on your special characteristics that have prepared you for the intellectual dimensions and personal commitment essential for successful Ph.D. work.

7. How long should my statement of purpose be?

   Your statement of purpose should be 2 to 5 pages in length and include you’re your prior research experience, what you hope to study in the Ph.D. program, a description of what you think will be your intellectual contribution to the program and how you hope to contribute to the university’s mission of diversity and inclusion.

   How long does it take for my application to be reviewed?

   Application are reviewed after the January 17^th deadline.  The review process can take approximately one month. 

8. What do you look for when reviewing my application?

   The review committee considers overall academic performance, statement of purpose, evidence of ability to carry out research in technology and policy, and GRE scores. The committee seeks to determine whether you are likely to be successful in rigorous courses and research in technology, policy and innovation.