Program Overview

Master of Science in Entomology

The Department of Entomology offers graduate programs leading to Doctoral and Master of Science degrees. The curriculum provides the opportunity to study the basic and applied aspects of the science. Facilities and training are available for graduate study in major areas of entomology, including (but not limited to) apiculture; behavior; integrated biological control and sustainable pest management; ecology; forest entomology; insect/plant interactions; medical/veterinary entomology; population genetics; physiology; systematic; biological diversity and environmental toxicology.

Degree Description

Departmental faculty, adjunct faculty, and affiliate faculty may all serve as student advisors. Faculty are housed both on campus and at research stations throughout the state; the ability to significantly interact with both on- and off-campus advisors and mentors offers students opportunities and perspectives not available in most programs. We maintain strong cooperative interactions with the USDA ARS lab in Yakima, Washington. Students whose major advisor resides at a Research & Extension Center (Wenatchee, Prosser, Puyallup, Mt. Vernon or USDA Wapato) typically come to Pullman for at least two semesters then relocate to the center where they will conduct their research and take the remainder of their coursework via live videoconference. Each student’s program of study is individualized based on their research interests, prior academic experience, and collaboration with their major advisor.

Admission Requirements

Students should have completed an undergraduate major in one of the biological or physical sciences, forestry, agriculture, or a closely related field. Submit the following:

• Letter of application stating qualifications, personal goals, and objectives of graduate study
• Official copies of all college transcripts
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation

Student Opportunities

Students have access to excellent labs and greenhouse facilities on the Pullman campus and at Research and Extension centers located throughout Washington State. Students are encouraged to attend Entomological Society of America meetings, as well as other professional meetings, where they present their research, and learn from other scientists in their chosen field.

Career Opportunities

New opportunities open daily for entomology graduates, including:

• Federal government agencies (EPA, USDA, APHIS)
• State departments of agriculture and ecology
• State agricultural research stations
• University extension service
• Agrichemical company field representatives in research and sales
• Agricultural consulting firms
• Private agribusiness firms
• Timber and seed production companies
• International development agencies
• Pest control operators
• Parkland and golf course pest management specialists
• Mosquito abatement districts
• Weed control districts
• Food processing industry
• Ornamental plant protection
• Public health service
• Industrial pest control consultant
• The armed forces and homeland security

Career Placements

The Entomology Department has an excellent record of career placement for its graduates nationally and internationally. Our graduates have found careers in:

• Teaching, research and extension at colleges and universities
• With federal and state agencies (e.g. USDA, FDA, and Washington State Department of Agriculture)
• In private industry
• Entrepreneurial endeavors
• Pesticide education programs
• Forensics laboratories

Program Statistics

• Total Graduate Faculty in Program: 21
• Total Core Graduate Faculty in Program: 21
• Graduate Students in Program: 10
• Students Receiving Assistantships: 9
• Priority Deadlines:
  • Fall: January 10
  • Spring: July 1
• Campus: Pullman

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.