Application to the University of Washington and the School of Marine Affairs

The two-year course sequence leading to the M.M.A. degree begins each Autumn quarter, and students normally are admitted to the program only during that quarter. We are now accepting applications for AUTUMN QUARTER 2005.

Note:

• All applications must be received by the School of Marine Affairs by February 1, 2005 for US students, and November 1, 2004 for international students.
• The School of Marine Affairs does not mail paper applications.

Applicants to the Master of Marine Affairs (M.M.A.) degree program must meet the admission standards of boththe University of Washington Graduate School and The School of Marine Affairs. Separate application is made to both units. The application to the Graduate School of the University of Washington is available at https://www.grad.washington.edu/applForAdmiss/

To be accepted by the Graduate School, an applicant must have:

• completed an undergraduate program of study recognized as appropriate preparation for graduate work;
• have a minimum of a 3.0 (B) grade point average for coursework taken during the last 60 semester or 90 quarter hours if the cumulative GPA is less than 3.0;
• have taken the general (Verbal, Analytical, Quantitative) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and have requested test results be sent to the UW Graduate School (UW Code: 4854);
• have the ability as determined by the University to make satisfactory progress toward a graduate degree.

International Applicants

An international applicant is anyone who is NOT a United States citizen or permanent resident. If you fit this definition, please check the Graduate Admissions Information site for important information about admission and application requirements.

At the University of Washington, international applicants must meet several requirements in addition to those required of US applicants in order to be admitted to the Graduate School. All international applicants should complete the Preliminary Evaluation Process (PEP) before applying to the School of Marine Affairs.

All international applicants must complete the GRE test. International applicants must also take the TOEFL exam. The exception is applicants from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, and those who have received a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited U.S. institution or from an institution in the countries listed. These applicants are exempt from the TOEFL exam.

Application to the School of Marine Affairs

Admission Criteria

Admission to the School of Marine Affairs is highly competitive due to the limited number of places available and the high quality of applicants. Successful applicants typically rank highly on some of the following:

• A demonstrated ability to maintain high grades, particularly in areas pertinent to the marine affairs field.
• High GRE scores.
• Significant practical/professional experience in teaching, research, government, business, or industry.
• Strong recommendations from undergraduate instructors, advisors, professional supervisors or colleagues
• A thoughtfully considered and clearly stated career objective.

While there is no undergraduate major preferred as a prerequisite to graduate study at the School, many students enter the program from backgrounds in the social, technological, and environmental sciences. Individuals with major experience in the humanities are encouraged to apply as well, particularly if there is evidence of special interests and aptitudes supporting a career objective in the marine affairs area. For example, a communications background may support a career goal in marine affairs journalism; strength in one or more foreign languages may support an interest in international aspects of marine policy or resource management.

The total background of the individual is evaluated as well as particular strengths and weaknesses and, in some cases, a strong background in one area (such as professional experience in the field) may balance out a less satisfactory performance in another (such as undergraduate studies).

SMA Application Instructions

Note: The School of Marine Affairs does not mail paper applications.

Download the following PDF or Word forms:

• SMA Supplementary Information Form [WORD DOC (22K)] [PDF(22K)]
• Three (3) copies of Letter of Recommendations Form [WORD DOC (22K)] [PDF (22K)]
• (Optional) Assistantship and Fellowship Application [WORD DOC (59K)]

Submit the following documents to the School of Marine Affairs:

• A paper printout of the on-line Graduate School application
• The completed SMA Supplementary Information Form, including a statement, not exceeding two pages, of your career objectives.
  
  Optional: Copies of publications or professional reports prepared or contributed to by the applicant may be included. (Term papers or other materials prepared as a class requirement or for academic credit are not acceptable)
• Three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation can in some cases have a significant effect on the admissions decision. The strongest recommendations are those submitted by an instructor or advisor who knows your work well and can give a well-substantiated assessment of your academic potential. For applicants who have been out of school for some time, professional recommendations are appropriate.
  
  The letters of recommendation should be enclosed in sealed envelopes with the author's signature across the seal. Please ask your references to submit their letters directly to you, so that you may forward them with the rest of your application.
• Copies of official, sealed transcripts of any undergraduate and graduate work completed at the time of application.
• (Optional) Assistantship and Fellowship Application
• (Optional) Resume
• International Applicants only - a copy of TOEFL scores. Unofficial copies are acceptable

All materials should be sent in ONE envelope, by Feb. 1, 2005 for US applicants and Nov. 1, 2004 for international applicants. Applications that arrive in more than one piece can result in delay of consideration by the Admissions Committee. Send to:

Graduate Program Assistant
School of Marine Affairs
University of Washington
Box 355685
Seattle, WA 98105-6715

Note: All records become part of the official file. They will not be returned or forwarded to other departments.

Evaluation Process

The evaluation of applicants and the selection of prospective students is the responsibility of a four-member Admissions Committee composed of School of Marine Affairs faculty members. Applicants are evaluated individually and in competition with one another, and offers of admission are extended to top-ranking applicants within the departmental admissions quota assigned by the Graduate School.

Evaluation is based solely on information submitted by the applicant for inclusion in his/her admissions file. Therefore, it is to the applicant's advantage thoroughly to prepare and promptly to submit all application material.

Offers of Admission

Following the evaluation process, the SMA Admissions Committee will notify candidates of admission or denial to the graduate program. Notification will generally begin the first week in March and continue through mid to late April.

Offers of admission may not be deferred to a later quarter or year. Applicant files will be held for one year and individuals may re-apply at any time. The results of previous evaluations will not enhance or jeopardize an applicant's chances for future admission.

Equal Opportunity

The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the School at (206) 543-7004 or the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: (206) 543-6450 or access@u.washington.edu.

UW School of Marine Affairs 3707 Brooklyn Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98105-6715 uwsma@u.washington.edu