The Department of Geology, in collaboration with the KU Edwards Campus, now offers an online professional science masters (PSM) degree in environmental geology. This applied program separates itself from traditional thesis-based research MS degrees in Geology and/or Hydrogeology through its direct integration of project management, communication, and other professional skills courses. The degree also requires a professional capstone project that is tailored to match a student's career goals. The program is intended to develop future government and industry professional leaders in environmental geology and to supply working professionals with a broad toolbox for addressing environmental problems. It may be completed in as little as two years, or at a pace appropriate to a non-traditional student lifestyle.
Coursework for the PSM in Environmental Geology degree is offered entirely online or in online-hybrid mode, with the exception of the three (3) required 1-credit-hour field techniques workshop courses, which are offered in-person. The field courses typically meet at the Edwards or Lawrence campus on Saturdays, and are supplemented with online materials. Students may, alternatively, attend a week-long summer field course which is held in Colorado, and earn three workshop credit hours to fulfill the program's workshop requirements.
Environmental geology is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to address and study anthropogenically-derived and naturally occurring environmental hazards on Earth. The field is grounded in basic geological sub-disciplines such as mineralogy, sedimentology and stratigraphy but has primary focus on hydrogeology, geochemistry, geophysics and components of engineering geology. These sub-disciplines and the associated field and laboratory techniques in the form of a PSM program lead to an applied understanding of how to utilize geophysical, geochemical and hydrogeological techniques to evaluate, remediate, and monitor the impact or potential impact of contamination.
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Admission to Graduate Studies
An applicant seeking to pursue graduate study in the College may be admitted as either a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Policies and procedures of Graduate Studies govern the process of Graduate admission. These may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
Please consult the Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for information regarding program-specific admissions criteria and requirements. Special admissions requirements pertain to Interdisciplinary Studies degrees, which may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
1. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution as evidenced by an official undergraduate transcript is required. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in geology. Those with a related degree and 20 semester hours of geoscience coursework in geology, physical geography, engineering, or hydrology may be eligible. In some instances, relevant work experience in environmental geology may substitute for missing courses.
2. A grade-point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) for all previous university work is required. Under extenuating circumstances an average below 3.0 can be considered by the PSM-EG Committee for provisional admission.
Individuals who are not already enrolled as KU graduate students must complete an application to the Graduate School for admission into the certificate program and submit an application fee along with the following materials:
- A Statement of Interest in the environmental assessment or environmental justice certificate program. This 1- or 2-page narrative should summarize your education, employment history, your long-term career goals, and how this certificate will help you achieve these goals.
- Official undergraduate transcript.
- A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with your academic work or qualified to offer judgment on your ability to undertake graduate-level work (former professor of instructor, workplace supervisor).
Current KU graduate students wishing to enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Geology program will apply through the Graduate School. A student must be in good standing with their graduate degree program in order to participate in the certificate program. A graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for admission. Awarding of certificates will be handled consistent with guidelines and timing of degree awards of the Graduate School. Completion of the certificate will appear on the graduate transcript. KU graduate students should submit the following materials:
- A Statement of Interest in the environmental geology certificate program and its relationship to your graduate course of study.
- An unofficial copy of your KU transcript.
- A letter of support from your graduate degree program (your advisor or graduate director).
Application decisions will be made by consensus of the PSM-EG Committee. In the event of no consensus on an applicant, the decision will default to the decision of the PSM-EG Academic Director.
This program may be completed entirely online, with the exception of the required Field Workshops. The Field Workshops are offered at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park or at the KU Lawrence Campus, and can be completed over one day or weekend.
The PSM-Environmental Geology degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| PFS 804 | Project Management for Professionals | 3 |
| PFS 802 | Managing Teams and Leading People | 3 |
| or PUAD 854 | Innovation and Organizational Change |
| PFS 803 | Financial Management for Professional Success | 3 |
| PFS 730 | Writing and Speaking for Decision Makers | 3 |
| or PFS 801 | Interpersonal and Persuasive Communication Skills for Managers |
| |
| |
| EVRN 721 | Environmental Regulation and Policy | 3 |
| GEOL 751 | Physical Hydrogeology | 3 |
| GEOL 753 | Chemical and Microbial Hydrogeology | 3 |
| GEOL 755 | Site Assessment | 3 |
| |
| GEOL 536 | Geological Log Analysis | 1 |
| GEOL 855 | Field and Laboratory Methods: Environmental Geophysics | 1 |
| GEOL 856 | Field and Laboratory Methods Special Topics: _____ | 1 |
| |
| GEOL 715 | Geochemistry | 3 |
| GEOL 791 | Advanced Topics in Geology: _____ | 1-5 |
| EVRN 510 | Advanced Environmental Applications in Geospatial Techniques | 3 |
| EVRN 730 | Environmental Toxicology | 3 |
| EVRN 736 | Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 |
| |
| |
| GEOL 814 | Professional Science Masters Environmental Geology Capstone I | 1 |
| GEOL 815 | Professional Science Masters Environmental Geology Capstone II | 2 |
