Applications for admission are encouraged from students with a bachelor's degree in atmospheric science and oceanography, as well as physics, mathematics, computer science, geography, engineering, and related fields. Students who are genuinely interested in studying the atmosphere but come from other backgrounds are also encouraged to apply. 

Applicants must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College and must have an equivalent grade-point average of at least 3.0 out of a possible 4.0. Averages are computed from the last 60 hours of undergraduate and graduate work completed. Applicants whose native tongue is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Details regarding this requirement can be found at the Graduate College TOEFL website. All applicants are required to submit three letters of reference.

Prospective students who wish to begin their programs in the fall semester should submit their applications by the application deadline. Admission decisions are made as soon as possible after an applicant’s file is complete. Assistantship offers are made from January through May. Students offered an assistantship during the period from January through the first week of April must decide whether to accept the offer by April 15.