A graduate student must complete the following requirements in order to graduate with a master's degree as his/her highest degree from the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois:

1. Fulfill the prescriptions made following the prescription examination.
2. Pass with a grade of A or B four of the following courses:
   • Classification and Evolution of Insects (IB 468)
   • Genomic Analysis of Insects (IB 504)
   • Insect Physiology (IB 433)
   • Insect Ecology (IB 444)
   • Fundamentals of Insect Pest Management (IB 482)

   A grade of C or below in one or more of these courses requires remedial work.

3. The Department of Entomology sponsors its own colloquium series (generally on Monday at 4 PM) and it is required that our graduate students sign up for 1 hour credit as IB 526B every semester and attend all departmental colloquia. Only if a student has a conflict at the time of the colloqium, can they be allowed to miss it for that semester only.
4. Submit a thesis prepared on original research performed with the supervision of a faculty member of the graduate program in entomology.
5. Pass the final examination on the thesis material and successfully deposit the thesis with the Graduate College.
6. Complete 32 credit hours of coursework including the core courses, thesis research (Ent. 599) and electives. At least 12 hours must be in the major field (Entomology). No more than 12 hours of thesis credit (Ent. 599) may be included in the 32-hour program. At least 16 hours must be from courses meeting at the Urbana-Champaign campus, or other courses approved for residence credit by the Graduate College. Courses taken as credit/no credit may not be included in the 32 hours of credit.
7. MS Degrees typically take two (2) years to complete.
8. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average, which is the GPA required for degree certification.

A graduate student must complete the following requirements in order to graduate with a Ph.D. degree as his/her highest degree from the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois:

1. Fulfill the prescriptions made following the prescription examination.
2. Pass with a grade of A or B all five of the following courses:
   • Classification and Evolution of Insects (IB 468)
   • Genomic Analysis of Insects (IB 504)
   • Insect Physiology (IB 433)
   • Insect Ecology (IB 444)
   • Fundamentals of Insect Pest Management (IB 482)

   A grade of C or below in one or more of these courses requires remedial work.

3. Statistics Course(s)--Ph.D. students are required to take four-credit hours of Statistics. Approved courses are offered by many different campus units. The departmental office maintains an informal list of approved courses. A student should consult with GSAC to ensure that a new course or a course not on the list is acceptable.
4. The Department of Entomology sponsors its own colloquium series (generally on Monday at 4 PM) and it is required that our graduate students sign up for 1 hour credit as IB 526B every semester and attend all departmental colloquia. Only if a student has a conflict at the time of the colloqium, can they be allowed to miss it for that semester only.
5. Obtain a grade of "satisfactory" in at least three semesters of Seminar in Entomology (IB 526) (the Entomology Colloquium does not count towards this requirement). Each semester, one IB 526 "advanced topics" seminar (or equivalent advanced topics course approved by the Head or GSAC) will be offered by the department in one of the five core areas (ecology, genomics, physiology, systematics, IPM) or in toxicology or behavior. In order to count towards fulfilling this requirement, each of the three IB 526 "advanced topics" seminars must be in a different subject area.
6. If the candidate has entered the graduate program without a Master's degree, he or she must complete, defend and deposit a Master's thesis before taking preliminary examinations.
7. Pass the Preliminary Examination.
8. Complete at least 96 hours of graduate credit. A student entering with a master's degree is given credit for 32 hours irrespective of the University or Department where this degree was earned. At least 64 of the hours, including thesis credit, must be courses meeting on the Urbana-Champaign campus or at other locations approved by the Graduate College for residence credit.
9. Submit a dissertation prepared on original research performed under the supervision of a faculty member or affiliate member of the Department of Entomology as advisor.
10. Present a seminar to the department on the completed research project.
11. Pass the Final Examination on the dissertation material and successfully deposit the dissertation with the Graduate College.
12. Fulfill at least two semesters of teaching assistantships while a graduate student here (this is a new requirement as of Spring 2018).
13. A PhD usually takes five (5) years to complete. A candidate for the doctorate who has received a master's degree elsewhere must complete all requirements for the degree within six years after initial registration in the doctoral program on this campus. A student whose program of study has been significantly interrupted after receiving a master's degree from the University of Illinois and who later returns to work for the doctorate will have six years from the date of return to complete degree requirements.
14. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average, which is the GPA required for degree certification.

Application to the Department of Entomology is now handled on-line through the Graduate College at the University of Illinois. Below you will find information regarding application, followed by a link to the Graduate College online application site. We suggest that you print this page out in order to have a list of all the necessary application materials.

General Advice

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all application information reaches the Entomology Department by December 1 for full consideration for admission to the following Fall semester. Competition for positions in the department is intense, and the more we know about each applicant the better we can select the students best qualified for our programs. Therefore, we advise several further steps. If at all possible, try to arrange for a personal interview at the Department of Entomology. On this occasion you will have the opportunity to meet the Head of the Department, some potential research advisors, members of the Graduate Student Administration Committee and students.

Also, when writing your personal statement, we strongly recommend that you give careful thought to clearly describing your general area of interest, and, if formulated, your intended area of specialization, your past experience in related areas, and your plans for the future. Reflect upon your own aspirations and goals in detail. A clear, analytical discussion of these topics will be most useful to us and the 300 word suggested limit on this item can be disregarded.

Finally, the letters of reference are an important part of your application. You should select carefully, and use only those faculty who are willing to evaluate you fully and accurately. You should suggest to each letter writer that we seek a careful appraisal of your past achievement in academic life and an analysis of your ability as a potential teacher and researcher.

Undergraduate Preparation

Students who enter the department are expected to have basic training in biology and related disciplines. In addition to a good background in the biological sciences, applicants should also have completed the following:

1. Mathematics: analytic geometry and calculus
2. Chemistry: general and organic with laboratory (3 semesters)
3. Physics: general (2 semesters)

Students without this background may be admitted, but in that case you can plan remedying these deficiencies.

To ascertain proficiency in the biological sciences, all new graduate students in this department take, in their first week, a proficiency examination in the biological sciences which covers the areas of cellular and molecular biology, plant and animal physiology, genetics, ecology, taxonomy, and evolution. The standard required is that of a general biology text used in major biology courses. If serious deficiencies in these subjects exist course work lasting one or two semesters may be prescribed before advanced studies are initiated.

While no formal course work in entomology is required, there also is an entomology prescription exam. If serious deficiencies are found, students may be required to take an introductory entomology course to provide a basic entomological basis of knowledge.

Application Requirements

A complete application consists of an application form, a $70 application fee (domestic applicant), a personal statement, scanned copies of transcripts of your academic record, three letters of recommendation, and if necessary, TOEFL scores. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test is not required, but GRE scores can be submitted if they will support your application. Some items will need to be provided by you, others by referees and officials. It is your responsibility to see that these items all get to us. (Please note that you do NOT have to have an official transcript sent by your institution at this time. Uploading a scanned copy is sufficient for now. We only require your institution to send us an official, sealed transcript or a secure electronic version if you are accepted into the program.) Please visit the Graduate College website for formal application procedures.

Application to the Department of Entomology is now handled online through the Graduate College at the University of Illinois. Below you will find information regarding application, followed by a link to the Graduate College online application site. We suggest that you print this page out in order to have a list of all the necessary application materials.

These guidelines for admission of foreign students apply only to those applicants who are sponsored by government or international agencies and who intend to return to their country of origin on completion of their degree. In particular, employees in existing programs of teaching or research, who are specially selected for further training in the U.S., and who have positions to return to in their country of origin, will be admitted under these guidelines.

In general, students applying for graduate study in this department under the above circumstances will be evaluated under a set of admissions criteria considerably modified from those applied to U.S. students, and designed to increase the probability of entry to this department. These modified admissions standards are necessary because of our difficulty in translating foreign university records and test scores into a meaningful evaluation of a foreign student, coupled with the obligation this department feels toward training outstanding students who have been selected in other countries for advanced academic studies in the U.S. Once the student is admitted to this department, exactly the same courses and standards will be required as of all other graduate students in the department, and the same degrees will be obtained.

The guidelines are designed to protect the student in particular, but also the sponsoring agency, against possible waste of time and money, with the accompanying disappointment and even loss of status. Students who are inadequately prepared for study in this department should realize this before admission, not after a semester or more.

Application Requirements

1. Application forms plus statement about sponsoring agency.
2. $90 application fee - this cannot be waived.
3. Three letters of reference - preferably at least one letter should be from a person familiar with the U.S. university system of education. Letters should carefully evaluate student's professional qualities and probability of success in further studies. Ability to communicate in English in the technical language of sciences should be assessed.
4. Personal statement - clearly describe your general area of interest, and, if formulated, your intended area of specialization, your past experience in related areas, and your plans for the future. Reflect upon your own aspirations and goals in detail. (Although we do not require you to limit your statement to a certain word limit, the average applicant usually writes 1 - 2 pages.)
5. English proficiency test results: either TOEFL IBT (Test Of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The minimum total score set by the Graduate College is 6.5 for the IELTS and 79 for the TOEFL IBT. They will also accept 550 for the TOEFL ITP Plus (temporary China only) test, and 60 for the Revised TOEFL PDT (Paper-Delivered Test). See English Proficiency Requirement for Admission for more information. The department will occasionally accept students with these scores, although we feel that a score of 7.5 for the IELTS and 103 for the TOEFL IBT gives a better indication of adequate ability in English.
6. Transcripts of your academic record - (and diplomas or certificates of degrees if your degree is awarded and not listed on your transcript) along with English translations if the credentials are not in English. Please note that you do NOT have to have an official transcript sent by your institution at this time. Uploading a scanned copy is sufficient for now. We only require your institution to send us an official, sealed transcript or a secure electronic version if you are accepted into the program.
7. Statement from the sponsoring agency - saying that financial and other support will be provided for a term sufficient to complete a M.S. or Ph.D. degree program (see notes below and length of program). Also, if a contractual agreement with the student has been made, it should be so stated and described.

NOTE: GRE (Graduate Record Examination) Scores - (general test - verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing) are not required, but can be submitted if they will support your application.

Proficiency in English Language

Inadequate preparation in the English language will jeopardize the whole academic program of a student. The technical English of the physical and biological sciences, in written and oral forms, must be used daily. The TOEFL IBT or IELTS do not assess this ability adequately so that the students with high scores may still have difficulty with English. Therefore, it is essential that referees comment on the ability of students in technical English.

On arrival on this campus an admitted student will be given a proficiency test in scientific English. Based on this test, the student may be advised to enter immediately into advanced courses relevant to training in entomology. Alternatively, if proficiency is poor, the student may be advised to delay advanced studies. (Good grades in advanced courses cannot be achieved without competence in English.) The University offers remedial courses.

If a student does not gain a total TOEFL IBT score of 103 or more, or 7.5 or more on the IELTS, then he/she may enroll in an intensive English course at a U.S. university, including this university, and the TOEFL IBT or IELTS may be taken again after completing the course. This course work does not exempt a student from the proficiency test in scientific English on arrival in this department, or further course work for remedial purposes. No student can be admitted to the Graduate College or this department until an adequate TOEFL IBT or IELTS score has been achieved.

Proficiency in Biological Sciences

All new graduate students in this department take, in their first week, a proficiency examination in the biological sciences which covers the areas of cellular and molecular biology, plant and animal physiology, genetics, ecology, taxonomy and evolution. The standard requirement is that of a general biology text such as would be used in a majors biology course. If serious deficiencies in these subjects exist, then course work lasting one or two semesters, may be prescribed before advanced studies are initiated.

While no formal course work in entomology is required, there also is an entomology prescription exam. If serious deficiencies are found, students may be required to take an introductory entomology course to provide a basic entomological basis of knowledge.

Length of Program

A master's degree program will normall take at least 1.5 years (3 semesters and 1 summer). A doctor's degree program will normally take at least 4 years (8 semesters and 3 summers). If English or biological sciences courses must be taken before advanced studies, then these times would increase by one or two semesters. Therefore, the sponsoring agency should be prepared to support a student for 2.5 years for an M.S. and 5 years for a Ph.D., and this should be stated in a letter from the sponsoring agency.

It must be emphasized that in all cases the length of the program shall depend on the department's discretion, based on the preparedness of the student on entry, and his/her progress in research.

Research Experience

The department will encourage students and their advisors to establish thesis research programs that are relevant to the country of origin of the student. If at all possible, part of the research should be carried out in that country. For this purpose the department urges the sponsoring agency to include funds to permit some research in the student's country of origin, and a visit by the student's advisor. Such funding is desirable for two important reasons: 1. The student will be able to integrate new information and techniques with a research situation which he/she will face as a professional. 2. Research in the U.S. can be made more relevant to future research when both advisor and student are familiar with field and laboratory conditions in the country of origin.

In addition, students usually benefit considerably if some research funds are made available to them for such things as special supplies, small pieces of equipment, and part-time assistance in sampling or rearing insects.

Application Deadlines

The deadline for Fall Term Admission is December 1 of the previous year.

If you are a FOREIGN STUDENT residing outside the USA, try to submit your application as early in the year as you can, because it usually takes several months after admission to obtain the documents necessary for entry into the USA.

ONLINE applications are now being accepted. Visit the Graduate College for online application information. You can download a version to submit a paper copy if you wish.

What type of students are we looking for?

Graduate students are an integral part of this rich environment, and thus we are committed to enrolling the most talented students in the country. Students from all biological backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply, regardless of previous entomological experience, or lack thereof.

How does the decision to accept an applicant occur?

The decision to accept a student is made within the Entomology Department, even though the application is processed by the Graduate College. The Entomology Department admits students both to the program and directly to faculty labs. Therefore, it is essential to have one or more faculty members who are interested in becoming your advisor and having you join their lab. Before you apply to Entomology, please look at the faculty website and contact faculty members with whom you might want to work. The faculty members can then let you know if they will be accepting new students in the Fall, and let you know whether your education, experience and interests are a good fit for their lab. Undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, and a written personal statement all factor into the decision, as does prior research experience (although no previous experience is required to apply). GRE scores are not required by our Department but can be submitted if they will support your application. The Graduate College does have Minimum Requirements for admission with regards to Bachelor’s degree GPA (or comparable GPA for international applicants), as well minimum English proficiency requirements for international applicants. If you still have questions after reviewing these webpages, please email your questions to the department at entowork@life.illinois.edu.

How do you apply for admission to the department?

Application to the Department of Entomology is now completed online, including the option to pay the application fee by credit card. Domestic and international applications require different items to be submitted. All of the information necessary to apply is located on the application instructions page. For full consideration for admission to the following Fall semester, you must complete and submit your application by December 1. Please be aware that the Entomology office is CLOSED from December 23 until January 2. Any emails or phone calls will NOT be answered during that time. Please see below menu for domestic and international application procedures.

How can you arrange to visit the department?

The department schedules visits by invitation during its recruitment weekend in February once applications are complete. Visits outside this period need to be organized through a prospective advisor. 

What can you expect as a new graduate student?

Once accepted into the department, all students should expect to be funded through RAs, TAs, and/or fellowships for the duration of their graduate careers provided they remain in good academic standing, make satisfactory and timely progress toward their degree, meet degree requirements as outlined in the graduate student handbook, and satisfactorily fulfill responsibilities of any research or teaching appointments they accept as outlined in the appointment offer letters. For those students who entered the department without a Master's degree, the first two years of the program are often spent completing course work, especially core course requirements, and developing research interests while working on a Master's project. Once the Master's project is completed, students are expected to petition the Graduate Student Administration Committee (GSAC) to either remain in the PhD program (if they originally entered the doctoral program) or transition into the PhD program (if they originally entered the Master's program and wish to continue on to the doctoral program). Those students who entered the doctoral program having already earned a Master's degree often spend the first two years completing core course requirements and developing their doctoral research goals. The work then becomes more independent and more time is engaged in research, as well as in elective seminars and classes.

What information should international students know?

International students have concerns beyond that of our local colleagues. The university has established an extremely useful web site at the International Student and Scholar Services that can provide a wealth of information for both incoming and current international graduate students. We highly recommend reading this page if you have any questions regarding international student status.

How can I talk to someone directly about my questions?

If email is not getting the job done for you, the Department of Entomology office staff can be contacted about any question you may have regarding applications. Again, please note that the Entomology office is CLOSED from December 23 until January 2. Any emails or phone calls will NOT be answered during that time.

Department of Entomology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
320 Morrill Hall
505 S. Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
phone: (217) 333-2910
fax: (217) 244-3499
Admissions contact: Kim Leigh (kaleigh@illinois.edu)

Almost all students are funded by the department for the entirety of their graduate career. Financial support varies on a case by case basis, but in general, students in the master's program are supported for 2 years, and those going on to the PhD program receive an additional 3 years of support. Those coming in with a master's degree receive four years of support towards their Ph.D. If these time periods are exceeded, the department will then determine support on an individual basis, but it is very rare for a student to lose funding during his or her graduate education.

The majority of students are supported on teaching assistantships. However, many other sources of funding are also available, including research assistantships, University fellowships, and national awards (NSF, NIH, USDA, etc.). Students holding teaching or research assistantships are exempt from tuition and service fees.

Teaching assistantships and research assistantships (including waivers of tuition and most fees) are allocated on a semester-to-semester basis for Fall and Spring semesters, with an additional two months of summer support from individual faculty, the department, or the School of Integrative Biology. Each year, as a student accumulates experience, a salary-increase of roughly 3% can be expected, depending on the status of the state budget.

As far as teaching goes, the majority of TAs teach lab sections of either Animal Biology for non-biology majors or Introductory Biology for biology majors (genetics and biodiversity). The more experienced TAs in the department assist in higher level courses like entomology, ecology, and animal behavior.

Please also visit the SIB Graduate Student Grants & Awards page for information on more funding opportunities.