Hydrologic Sciences Prospective Students
Applying to the Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Group involves four steps:
- Find a major professor.
- Submit your application before the deadline.
- Meet UC Davis Graduate Studies admission requirements.
- Meet HSGG prerequisite requirements.
Find a Major Professor
Most HSGG students work closely with a faculty major professor who serves as their research advisor and mentor. Because research funding is typically provided through faculty research grants, identifying a major professor before applying is one of the most important steps in the admissions process. Prospective students are encouraged to review faculty research interests and contact potential advisors to discuss research fit, funding, and the availability of positions for their intended year of entry. Admission generally requires a faculty member who is willing to serve as your major professor.
File your Application by the Deadline
Submit your application by the Priority Deadline of December 15 to receive full consideration for UC Davis Internal Fellowships. Applications submitted after December 15 will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until June 1, subject to available space. Earlier applications also improve the likelihood of securing funding through a faculty major professor.
UC Davis General Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet UC Davis Graduate Studies requirements: a bachelor's degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and English language exam scores for international applicants, a personal statement, and a statement of purpose. Submit your online application with fee by the deadline and send any required test scores to UC Davis.
HSGG Admission Requirements
Beyond UC Davis's general requirements, applicants must meet prerequisites specific to the HSGG program. Choose a specialization - Physical Hydrology, Water Policy and Management, Hydrochemistry, Hydrobiology, Earth Surface Processes, or Hydroinformatics that meets your interest and prior course work. Complete the HSGG prerequisite spreadsheet to find the specialization that best meets your prior course work.
Find a Major Professor
Why this matters
Unlike many graduate programs, admission to HSGG is closely tied to identifying a faculty member who is willing to serve as your major professor. Because most graduate student support comes from faculty research grants, prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact potential faculty advisors before submitting an application.
Browse faculty profiles, review their research interests, and ask whether they anticipate accepting new students for your intended year of entry.
Funding for MS Plan I and PhD Students
Most MS Plan I (Thesis) and PhD students receive financial support throughout their graduate studies.
The HSGG offers fellowship support to incoming MS Plan I and PhD students, subject to the availability of funds. Fellowship awards may include a stipend, coverage of in-state tuition and fees, and Student Health Insurance (SHIP). The amount and duration of fellowship support may vary depending on available resources and will be communicated to students as part of their admission offer.
Beyond initial fellowship support, students are typically funded through one or more of the following:
- Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) appointments funded by their major professor's research grants
- Teaching Assistant (TA) appointments
- Reader or Tutor positions
- Graduate fellowships
The HSGG may provide fellowship support to incoming MS Plan I and PhD students, subject to the availability of funds. Fellowship awards may include a stipend, coverage of in-state tuition and fees, and Student Health Insurance (SHIP). The amount and duration of support may vary and will be communicated to students as part of their admission offer.
Because the primary responsibility for securing graduate student funding rests with the major professor, applicants should discuss anticipated funding arrangements with prospective faculty mentors before accepting an offer of admission.
MS Plan II Students
The MS Plan II (Comprehensive Examination) degree is intended primarily as a professionally oriented master's program.
Students in this program are generally expected to self-fund their studies. While some Plan II students obtain Teaching Assistant, Reader, Tutor, or Graduate Student Researcher positions, these opportunities depend on departmental needs and faculty funding and therefore cannot be guaranteed.
Additional Funding Opportunities
Applicants who submit their application by the Priority Deadline (December 15) are automatically considered for UC Davis Internal Fellowships.
Continuing students may also compete for
- Graduate Studies fellowships
- Jastro Graduate Research and Stipend Awards
- Travel awards
- College and departmental research awards
Learn more about salary and funding opportunities here.
Application Deadlines
Priority Deadline — December 15
Applicants who submit their application by the Priority Deadline (December 15) receive full consideration for UC Davis Internal Fellowships. All admitted students, regardless of when they apply, remain eligible for departmental funding, subject to availability. MS Plan II students are generally expected to self-fund their studies.
General Deadline — February 1
Applications received after December 15 but on or before February 1 will continue to be reviewed by the graduate program. However, they are not eligible for consideration for UC Davis Internal Fellowships.
Space-Available Deadline — June 1
Applications may be submitted until June 1, subject to available space in the program. Because faculty advisors typically make funding commitments early in the admissions cycle, applicants who apply after February 1 have a substantially lower likelihood of securing funding from a major professor. Prospective students considering a late application are strongly encouraged to contact the graduate program coordinator or chair before applying.