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Online Graduate Certificate Subsurface Water Resources Geological Engineering

About the Certificate

The Subsurface Water Resources graduate certificate program provides engineers, scientists, and working professionals with formalized education in the principles and practices of subsurface water resource engineering. The program emphasizes the sustainable development, management, and protection of groundwater resources while addressing the technical and environmental challenges associated with subsurface water systems. Students develop a strong foundation in groundwater hydrology, aquifer characterization, and the movement of water and contaminants through subsurface environments.

Coursework focuses on groundwater extraction, resource assessment, protection, and remediation techniques used to ensure safe and reliable water supplies. Students also explore methods for preventing and mitigating groundwater contamination, evaluating environmental impacts, and designing effective remediation strategies for polluted sites. The certificate equips graduates with practical knowledge and analytical skills that can be immediately applied in environmental consulting, water resource management, government agencies, and industry, while also providing a pathway for those interested in pursuing advanced graduate study.

The graduate certificate program is open to all individuals holding a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree in geology, geophysics, geological engineering, geotechnics or civil engineering or who are currently accepted into a graduate degree program in one of these fields at Missouri S&T.

The certificate program consists of four courses. In order to receive a graduate certificate, the student must have an average graduate cumulative grade point of 3.0 or better in the certificate courses taken.

Students admitted to the certificate program will have non-degree graduate status but will earn graduate credit for the courses they complete. If the four-course sequence approved by the graduate adviser is completed with a grade of B or better in each of the courses taken, the student will be admitted to the M.S. degree program in geological engineering or geotechnics, if they apply. The certificate courses taken by students admitted to the program will count toward their master’s degree.

Once admitted to the program, a student will be given three years to complete the program as long as a B average is maintained in the courses taken.

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 courses:  
   or GEO ENG 5332,
   or GEO ENG 4411
Subsurface Hydrology,
   Fundamentals of Groundwater Hydrology,
   Hydrogeology
  
Intermediate Subsurface Hydrology and Contaminant Transport Mechs  
   
Choose two courses from the following:  
Methods of Karst Hydrogeology  
Aqueous Geochemistry  
Risk Assessment In Environmental Studies  
Subsurface Exploration  
Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater and Soil  
Phytoremediation and Natural Treatment Systems: Science and Design  
Environmental Law And Regulations  
Environmental and Engineering Geophysics,
   Advanced Engineering and Environmental Geophysics
  
Advanced Subsurface Hydrology  
Environmental Geological Engineering  

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 Geological Engineering 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