Interdepartmental Program
No
Unearth the secrets of Earth's essential resource with Iowa State University's Soil Science graduate program. Designed for aspiring soil scientists and environmental researchers, our program offers a comprehensive curriculum that blends rigorous academic training with hands-on field experience.
Courses and hands-on experience provide the advanced techniques that will enable you to address environmental and agricultural problems facing our global community. If you’re interested in our graduate program, browse our scientist’s areas of expertise and current research projects. If a subject or project interests you, reach out to that researcher. For on-campus graduate students, a faculty member must agree to be your major professor before admission into the program. Those participating in the online distance program will be expected to find a major professor by the 2nd or 3rd semester. Our graduate students are mentored by their major professor, as well as their Program of Study committee which includes a small group of faculty members, one of which must be in a different field of study.
Degrees Offered:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Master of Science (M.S.)
Area(s) of Specialization: (may appear on ISU transcripts after graduation)
- Soil Chemistry (M.S., Ph.D.)
- Soil Fertility (M.S., Ph.D.)
- Soil Management (M.S., Ph.D.)
- Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry (M.S., Ph.D.)
- Soil Morphology and Genesis (M.S., Ph.D.)
- Soil Physics (M.S., Ph.D.)
How long does it take to earn a degree?
- Median time to earn the doctorate: 3.8 years (Methods)
- Median time to earn the master’s: 2.3 years (Methods)
Learning Goals
- Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of soil components and soil processes.
- Identify critical issues in fundamental and applied soil science and to formulate scientific approaches to those issues.
- Ability to apply knowledge of soil science to solve problems in nonacademic contexts and in collaboration with professionals in other disciplines.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills, using effective strategies both when writing technical reports, research proposals, journal articles, or popular press articles and when giving oral or poster presentations to scientific or lay audiences.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the soil as a fundamental natural resource, deserving of wise use and protection.
- Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues that pertain to soil science and science in general.
- Maintain, in collaboration with the faculty, an environment of discovery, professional pride, collaboration, and mutual support.
515-294-4161
Kevin Desjean
agrongradprograms@iastate.edu
Soil Science Graduate Programs
Iowa State University
2101 Agronomy Hall
716 Farm House Lane
Ames, IA 50011-1051
Program Homepage
Program Handbook
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines:
Continual review, no deadlines for admission or assistantships. Faculty commitment required prior to admission.
Application Details:
This program is open to domestic and international students.
Application Instructions
Admission Requirements
Graduate College Requirements:
- 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
- Academic Records/Transcripts
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
- Proof of English Proficiency.
Program Specific Requirements:
International Requirements:
- Financial Statement: Application
- English Proficiency Minimum:
| TOEFL Paper (PBT) |
550 |
| TOEFL Internet (iBT) |
79 |
| IELTS |
6.5 |
| PTE |
53 |
| Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) |
115 |
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Program Director
millerba@iastate.edu
