PhD in Geological Sciences

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

27

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$95,000 / year

Job Placement

94%

Top recruiters

National Archives and Records Administration

National Endowment for the Humanities

National Geographic Society

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Bayer

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$32,220 / year

Overall Cost

$66,000 / year

FAQs

• What types of financial support are available?
  
  PhD students are supported through research assistantships, teaching assistantships, scholarships, and institutional loans. Application deadlines for financial awards are typically in mid-February.
• What are the admission requirements?
  
  Applicants typically have completed at least 24 semester hours of basic geological sciences and two semesters each of chemistry, physics, and calculus (recommended but not strictly required). A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is generally expected. GRE scores are required for doctoral applicants.
• What is the typical duration of the PhD program?
  
  The general timeline suggested is ten semesters (five years), though this can vary based on individual progress and advisor expectations.
• How many of the coursework credits must be taken at CU Boulder?
  
  At least 20 of the 30 coursework credit hours must be taken at CU Boulder.
• What are the credit requirements for the PhD in Geological Sciences?
  
  PhD candidates must complete at least 30 credit hours of coursework at or above the 5000 level, including 2 credit hours of the required "Introduction to Geological Sciences Faculty" class. Additionally, they must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of dissertation work (GEOL 8990), totaling at least 60 credit hours overall