Geology Graduate Degrees and Information

Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy - Geology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Geology requires original research in a specific area of geology, and demonstration of broad knowledge in the field of geology. It is preferred that students enter the program with an MS already completed. Requirements include: 1) completing 42 credits beyond your MS; 2) passing a set of comprehensive examinations showing depth and breadth of knowledge in geology and the student’s area(s) of emphasis; 3) completing a Dissertation research proposal; and 4) completing and defending a written Dissertation, which may consist of papers for publication. Students should plan on taking three to four years to complete the Geology PhD program. Graduate stipends and tuition support are based upon a three to four year PhD program.

Doctor of Philosophy - Watershed Science

Graduates are prepared to work as hydrologists, wetland specialists, and watershed managers for federal and state agencies. Because USU’s watershed science program is designated as a Western Regional Graduate Program, students from participating western states qualify for in-state tuition. For more information, visit http://wrgp.wiche.edu. Students in the program study water-related physical processes, including climate, surface and ground water, river formation, soil sciences, and water chemistry. This discipline focuses on protecting aquatic systems and includes coursework in hydrology, geomorphology, stream restoration, water pollution, climate change, and aquatic habitats. Each student has an individualized plan of study created for them by their graduate committee. Students are able to take courses in other departments on campus, including civil and environmental engineering; plants, soils, and climate; and geology. This program encourages students to gain a broad-based education in areas related to watershed systems and water resource use. Specializations are available in Climate Adaptation Science, Geomorphology, and Earth Surface Processes as part of this degree. 

Doctor of Philosophy - Ecology

Ecology degree programs at Utah State University are administered by the interdepartmental Ecology Center. Students earn their degrees in Ecology while maintaining residence in one of the participating home departments (BIOL, ENVS, PSC, WEES). The Ecology Center itself does not directly admit students or grant degrees. Students must first apply to and be admitted to one of the Ecology Center’s participating home departments, and then they can opt to major in Ecology in accordance with their faculty advisor and graduate program coordinator. The Ecology Center aims to promote research and graduate education in ecology and to provide expert, professional information and advice for decision-makers. The research carried out by the center’s associates covers the full spectrum of ecology.

Master of Science - Geology

The Geology MS involves advanced study, and has a focus on original research. The program prerequisite is the completion of a BS or BA in geology or other geosciences-related or engineering program. 30 credits of graduate work are required for the MS degree. The recommended distribution is 20 credits of coursework and 10 credits of thesis. Students should plan on taking two years to complete the MS Geology program. Graduate stipends and tuition support are based upon a two year MS program.

Master of Science - Watershed Science

Master of Science - Ecology

Ecology degree programs at Utah State University are administered by the interdepartmental Ecology Center. Students earn their degrees in Ecology while maintaining residence in one of the participating home departments (BIOL, ENVS, PSC, WEES). The Ecology Center itself does not directly admit students or grant degrees. Students must first apply to and be admitted to one of the Ecology Center’s participating home departments, and then they can opt to major in Ecology in accordance with their faculty advisor and graduate program coordinator. The Ecology Center aims to promote research and graduate education in ecology and to provide expert, professional information and advice for decision-makers. The research carried out by the center’s associates covers the full spectrum of ecology.

Master of Science - Applied Environmental Geoscience (non-Thesis)

The Applied Environmental Geoscience MS degree is a terminal degree program, requiring a combination of advanced courses selected from geology offerings, as well as additional courses relating broadly to the geosciences. The AEG-MS degree is also offered through USU's Statewide Campuses. Students in this coursework-focused program are generally not eligible for departmental assistantship support. A total of 32 credit hours is required for the AEG-MS. The recommended distribution is 29 credits of coursework and 3 credits of thesis. Approximately one-half of course credits should be from outside of Geology (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, or Natural Resources). Program Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Earth Science, or related science discipline. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon a faculty advisor agreeing to mentor the AEG-MS applicant.

Graduate Certificate - Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration (PBC)

The purpose of the Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration is to provide training for graduate students wishing to gain depth in techniques and principles for restoration of riverine habitats and environments.

Graduate Certificate - Geographic Information Science (GIS) (PBC)

Utah State University’s online Geographic Information Science (GIS) certificate is designed for graduate students or professionals wanting skills and experience applying industry standard GIS and remote sensing tools to natural resource issues. Students who complete the program will receive a graduate-level certificate in Geographic Information Science. Their USU transcript will list the courses and grades received to complete the program. The certificate is complementary to a wide variety of graduate programs, and is available as a standalone certificate. However, credits obtained from the certificate may be applied toward a graduate degree.

Climate Adaptation Science

Additional Information

Students are responsible for informing themselves of current polices and requirements.

• Please refer to the USU General Catalog. Much useful information will be found at the School of Graduate Studies website under the “Current Students” tab.
• The School of Graduate Studies will have most of the forms you will need.
• Useful source of information, including details of the USU Student Code, is found at Student Affairs.
• The Office of Equity covers discrimination & sexual harassment/misconduct, Contact them with any concerns.

Financial Support and Residency

Note:  The WEES Department cannot pay for field trip & course-specific fees. Graduate students are responsible for paying these fees. Graduate students also need to contribute 20% of the subsidized student insurance costs if they choose this coverage. Students that do not need university health insurance must opt-out of this coverage and show proof of alternate insurance each semester.

Graduate Assistantships

• Graduate research and teaching assistantships, and their accompanying tuition/fee waivers, are available to students in our MS & PhD programs. Students in the AEG-MS program do not qualify for departmental assistantships but are encouraged to apply for other funding sources including department scholarships.
• Graduate research assistantships (RAs) are awarded to students according to the funding sources secured by individual faculty members. RA assignments are research-related and needs of projects may or may not directly relate to a student’s thesis.
• Graduate teaching assistantships (TAs) are limited in number. They are distributed at the discretion of the department. As a general rule, they are not automatically renewed for successive years. Sufficient progress toward degree completion is needed for additional years of TA funding (typically limited to two years for MS students).
• Grad students with TAs and RA appointments must be registered as full-time grad students.
  • Minimum of 6 credit hours until the required number of coursework and Thesis-research credits are completed as outlined in the student’s Program of Study (30 credits for MS, 42 credits for PhD)
  • If student remains in the program past completion of their POS, and they remain on an Assistantship, the minimum number of credits drops to 3 credits. Students must fill out a full-time at 3-credits form through the School of Graduate Studies.
• TA/RA appointments are typically for 50% time (20 hours per week)
  • You are a full-time student and a part-time university employee.
  • With a 50% appointment time, you may not accept additional university employment without permission of the School of Graduate Studies.
  • With an assistantship and being a full-time student, concurrent off-campus employment is very strongly discouraged.
• In order to gain continuing support beyond the second (MS) and third (PhD) semesters of study, you must have an approved Program of Study form on file in the School of Graduate Studies.

Tuition Support

If you are receiving a graduate teaching or research assistantship, a graduate fellowship, or most scholarships, the University provides a non-resident tuition waiver your first year. Fellowships and scholarships may cover in-state tuition portion. The WEES Department helps accomplish this through research funds and donations from generous alumni. The department also covers student body fees, but not course fees.

Utah Residency

USU can only cover the relatively expensive nonresident tuition for the first 12 months of your program. If you are a U.S. citizen and not a formal resident of Utah, you must take the steps to gain formal residency in your first year here. This includes, but is not limited to, things like gaining a Utah driver license, registering as a voter in Utah, and providing financial and tax information. Information about the steps toward residency and the required application form are on the Admissions website.

Government Financial Aid

As a graduate student, you may apply for financial aid, including work study, even if you have a TA or RA. If you qualify and receive work study or other forms of financial aid, then it may be used in conjunction with an assistantship and has advantages for both the department and student. Also, completing the FAFSA is required to be eligible for most department and university scholarships.

Student Health Insurance

Full-time graduate students receiving graduate assistantship support are required to have health insurance. All enrolled graduate students, including those less than full-time or not receiving assistantship support, are eligible for this insurance at subsidized rates.

If you receive an RA or TA, we will enroll you in a subsidized student health insurance plan and you are assessed a relatively affordable fee during registration [20% of the cost]. If you prefer to be covered by other insurance, you must actively document that coverage and each semester waive the USU insurance plan at the beginning of each semester.

Department Funding Sources

The WEES Department has several named scholarships that can be awarded to graduate students in support of research. To qualify, your Program of Study form must be on file in the School of Graduate Studies. Applications are conducted through USU’s Scholarship Universe system in the early spring semester and selections are made late in the spring semester. Awards are on the order of $1000-2000 but vary due to many factors.

Other Sources of Funding

• The School of Graduate Studies provides some travel support for meetings or conferences when you present. These funds are matched by the Department of Water, Earth, & Environmental Sciences or your advisor.
• The School of Graduate Studies, the college, Ecology Center, and other offices on campus offer grants and scholarships. These include:
  • Graduate Research and Creative Opportunity (GRCO) Grants from the School of Graduate Studies
  • Graduate Enhancement Awards from the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership
  • The Center for Intersectional Gender Studies and Research offers several grants and scholarships
  • The Ecology Center has funding for students enrolled and affiliated with the center
• Professional organizations, such as GSA, AAPG, SEPM, & Sigma Xi, and regional societies such as the Four Corners Geologic Society, Tobacco Root Geologic Society, and Colorado Scientific Society make competitive awards for thesis research. Grad students are encouraged to work with their advisors in seeking such support for their research.
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides Graduate Research Fellowships that can provide significant and prestigious financial support for research. These are very competitive and must be applied for immediately, in the first semester of a program. NSF also has various Dissertation Research Enhancement grant opportunities for somewhat later in a PhD student’s program.