UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Admissions

Certificate Program Admissions

Please complete the certificate application form to begin the certificate application process.

Once your application form for the certificate is reviewed by the Department of Climate, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences, you will be contacted by a program adviser for information on next steps.

You may also directly contact the Online Program Faculty Coordinator in Atmospheric Sciences, Dr. Alicia Klees, aklees@illinois.edu, for additional information regarding the certificate program or click here to request more information.

Certificate Application Deadlines

Master’s Program Admissions

The Weather & Climate Risk & Data Analytics Program is designed for people looking to advance their expertise or pursue career advancement in the field of atmospheric sciences and allied fields.

Program Requirements

Students who wish to apply must meet the following requirements:

M.S. Application Deadlines

Priority review is given to applications completed before these deadlines, but we accept applications until one week before the start of the semester. Applications submitted after the semester begins are automatically designated to the next admission cycle at top priority for admission consideration.

What do I need to apply?

Even if you don’t have a career in an atmospheric sciences or related field, include any volunteer work or related roles that you have held that would help us understand you as a person and what makes you a good fit for the program.
Obtain and upload transcripts from every post-secondary institution you have attended. Applicants must have been awarded a comparable bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A=4.0), or comparable GPA for an international applicant, for the last two years of the undergraduate program is the minimum requirement for admission. Please speak with a program adviser if your GPA is below 3.0 to discuss additional admissions options.
Submission of three letters are required for admission. Recommendation letters can come from either academic or professional sources; recommendations from personal sources (e.g., neighbors, friends, family) will not be considered.
We want to get to know you better. Think about these elements to include in your personal/professional statement:
  • An explanation of your professional background and the qualifications you bring to the Weather and Climate Risk and Data Analytics M.S. program (if your direct experience with the atmospheric sciences field is not professional in nature, please explain why you are pursuing this degree).
  • A description of your goals for your degree (why are you applying to Weather and Climate Risk and Data Analytics? What are your goals by completing a M.S.?).
  • A brief summary of any relevant personal information or experiences that contribute to your desire to pursue the M.S. in Weather and Climate Risk and Data Analytics (e.g., why are you passionate about studying in the atmospheric sciences and the focus of this program?).
  • Other personal/professional items that you wish to share that will support your application materials.
Students whose native language is not English must present their official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination with the required minimum scores: 611 on the paper-based test, 254 on the computer-based test, 103 on the Internet-based test (iBT).
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"This is a truly unique program, where students will engage with world-renowned faculty as well as practitioners in the private and public sector. Students have an opportunity to learn from a wide variety of professionals, apply skills in real-world situations, as well as customize their educational path to meet their professional and personal goals, which sets this program apart from others. We look forward to working with each and every student throughout their time in the program!"
— Heather Miller
SESE Online Programs Coordinator

How much does the certificate or online master of science program cost?

The tuition rate for the 2023-2024 academic year is $740 (USD) per credit hour. The rate is the same for in-state, out-of-state and international students. Cost of tuition and fees for future courses may be subject to moderate changes in accordance with the actions of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Based upon prior tuition rate trends, you can plan on approximately $23,680 for the 32 credit-hour master’s program and $8880 for the 12 credit-hour certificate program.  Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. 

The Weather & Climate Risk & Data Analytics M.S. is a self-supporting program and does not accept the following tuition and fee waivers*:

Students in these programs are not eligible to hold a waiver generating graduate appointment (Assistantship or Fellowship). Current employees may be admitted to these programs, but their employee waiver is not eligible for use towards a program with this designation.
To apply for the master’s degree program, complete the online application through the Graduate College at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The domestic application fee is currently $70 and $90 for international applications.

The Weather and Climate Risk and Data Analytics M.S. program does accept statutory waivers (veterans grants, etc.).

*The waiver policy is subject to moderate changes in accordance with the actions of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Is there financial aid?

Financial aid (student loans) is available for students accepted into the program and enrolled in at least 6 credit hours of coursework in the fall and spring, or 3 credit hours during the summer.