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Online Graduate Certificate Geotechnics Geological Engineering

About the Certificate

The Geotechnics graduate certificate program is designed to provide formalized engineering education for professionals and graduate students seeking advanced knowledge in geotechnical engineering and related disciplines. The program is particularly well suited for practitioners in geology, geological engineering, mining engineering, civil engineering, and other fields that require a strong understanding of soil and rock behavior, site characterization, and geotechnical analysis.

Through a focused curriculum, students develop the technical skills needed to address complex geotechnical challenges encountered in infrastructure development, mining operations, environmental projects, and construction. Coursework emphasizes the principles of soil and rock mechanics, geotechnical investigation, foundation engineering, and engineering analysis, equipping graduates with practical knowledge that can be immediately applied in professional practice. The certificate also provides an opportunity for working professionals to enhance their expertise, broaden their career opportunities, and remain current with advances in geotechnical engineering.

Admission requirements to the certificate program include an undergraduate degree (BS or equivalent) and the necessary prerequisites to the required courses. (Prerequisites may be waived on a case-by-case basis by the course instructors.) A GRE score is not required for admittance into the certificate program.

The following courses (or equivalents) are required for admittance into the program:  
Physical and Environmental Geology  
Statics and Mechanics of Geological Materials  
MIN ENG 4823,
   or CIV ENG 3715,
   or GEO ENG 5415		 Rock Mechanics I,
   or Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering (Introductory Soil Mechanics),
   or Soil Mechanics for Geoprofessionals		  

Students must have an average cumulative grade of 3.0 (B-grade) or better in the four certificate courses and complete the requirements in 3 years or less to obtain their certificate.

Students who successfully complete the certificate program will be admitted to the Master of Engineering in Geotechnics , if they apply. The certificate courses will be counted toward the ME degree and no GRE score will be required for admission.

For online students applying to a graduate certificate program. (No GRE/GMAT required.)

Certificate Applicant 

The following are the courses offered in the program. Courses are 3 credit hours each, unless stated otherwise. The University reserves the right to change or cancel courses as needed. 

Total Courses: 4 (12 credit hours)

Required course:  
Intermediate Subsurface Hydrology and Contaminant Transport Mechs  
Engineering Geology and Geotechnics  
Rock Engineering  
CIV ENG 5715,
   or MIN ENG 6842		 Intermediate Soil Mechanics,
   or Advanced Rock Mechanics		  

Students will be able to take lower-level deficiency courses (prerequisites) online where available, but these will not count toward the certificate. In some cases, 3000 and 4000-level courses may be substituted for the courses listed above, if approved by the program coordinator.

Course availability may vary by semester (see course listings). Students should consult their academic advisor for appropriate alternatives or substitutions if needed.

Please refer to the Geotechnics section of the graduate catalog for more information.

This program is 100% online: no campus visits required.

Courses are semester-based. Students typically take one or two classes per semester and finish the program in one year.

  • Delivery: 100% online
  • Calendar system: Semester-based 
  • Typical program length: 1-2 years
  • Typical course load: 1-2 courses a semester (fall and spring)

Courses are offered asynchronously, meaning they do not have regular meetings. They may consist of various media and content — such as online discussions, videos, quizzes and recordings — that students review and complete at the time of their choice.

Learn more about our graduate programs at Missouri S&T by attending one of our virtual information sessions.

Attend Info Session

Pathway to a Master's Degree

Are you a working professional who wants to earn your master's degree, but you don’t have time to take the GRE/GMAT? Then start in a graduate certificate program. Graduate certificates were designed as a pathway to a master's degree.* The admission requirements are more relaxed and credit earned will count toward your degree. Once you successfully earn your graduate certificate, you can continue with the corresponding master's degree without having to take the GRE/GMAT.


Related Degrees

This graduate certificate may act as a pathway to the following master’s programs:

*Completion of a graduate certificate program does not automatically guarantee admission into a corresponding graduate degree program. To continue in a master’s degree program, you must apply.

Questions?

Missouri S&T Online Education

We are here to answer any of your questions about Missouri S&T’s online education programs.

Email Us  Request Info

Sylvia Skouby
Associate Director for Online Admissions

573-341-6903  |  stgrad@mst.edu

Earth Sciences and Engineering

Katherine Grote, PhD
Associate Professor of Geological Engineering and Online/Distance Coordinator

573-341-4100  |  grotekr@mst.edu
Department Website: ese.mst.edu

Amanda Goscicki
Office Support Assistant and Graduate Programs Support

573-341-4628  |   agoscicki@mst.edu