Online Master's Degree and Graduate Certificate in Environmental Geology

#9 Top Public National University U.S. News and World 2024

$9,060 Complete the certificate program for $9,060 or the master's program for $24,160

100% OnlineA world-class education wherever you are

Why choose a degree in Environmental Geology?

Geology is a diverse field that can lead to many different career paths. Our Environmental Geology programs will provide you with the advanced geological knowledge and critical skills needed to lead in the field. It’s customized for working professionals, allowing you to complete your degree in less than two years without interrupting your career, or you may spread out the coursework to fit your schedule.

Our curriculum works around your schedule!

Through coursework and a capstone project (M.S. students only) you’ll gain expertise that is needed in the private and public sector to solve environmental problems, including groundwater modeling, contamination and bioremediation issues, analysis of geodata and other geophysical applications. Check out the course offerings here.

Certificate Program

The Environmental Geology graduate-level certificate is a 12-credit program allowing a student to gain more skills in a growing field as well as obtain micro-credential that can be added to a resume and LinkedIn! It also provides an ideal bridge into the 32-credit hour online Master’s degree should students desire to continue on for an advanced graduate degree.

Master's Program

The M.S. in Environmental Geology program is designed to meet the high demand for advanced geology expertise used in applied industry sectors, including modeling of groundwater flow, characterization of contaminant migration, groundwater and contaminant geochemistry, and environmental geophysics.

What skills will students gain?

How to develop and apply robust numerical models of complex groundwater flow regimes using in part, python.
How to apply state-of-the-art water chemistry and bioremediation strategies using the Geochemist's Workbench.
How to understand and apply a suite of environmental geophysical methods.

Where do graduates get jobs?

Environmental regulations
Consulting
Geochemistry
Hydrogeologic investigation
Pollution abatement and hazardous waste remediation
Educator

Where are alumni working?

AECOM
Burns and McDonnell Engineering
Black and Veatch
Ramboll
United States Geographical Survey

Application Deadlines

Master's Degree
- Apply by December 15, 2024 to start in Spring 2025
- Apply by April 15, 2025 to start in Summer 2025
- Apply by August 1, 2025 to start in Fall 2025
Certificate
- Apply by January 10, 2025 to start in Spring 2025
- Apply by May 15, 2025 to start in Summer 2025
- Apply by August 15, 2025 to start in Fall 2025

Hear more from others

Dr. Jenna L Shelton
Associate Program Director with the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
U.S. Geological Survey

"There is a lot of possibility to integrate what you enjoy about geology into a career at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), so really focus on what you love about geosciences. We geologists tend to be passionate about our major, and that passion can absolutely guide your career. I started at the USGS as a Research Hydrologist studying water-rock interactions and stable isotopes because those interested me.”

Madeline Bruno
Spring 2024 Certificate Graduate

"I really enjoyed GEOL 517/ATMS 517! It was nice to learn data science skills that I could turn around and implement immediately in my day-to-day job as a geologist, while also learning about atmospheric science since I did not know anything about it until this course. Professor Klees is also REALLY good at engaging students in the online platform, and has that course set up in a very intuitive way."

Geoffrey Stillwell
Science Educator and Current Online Environmental Geology Graduate Student

"I am beginning to teach introductory environmental science at a community college in Fall 2022, so by having an up-to-date background in the geosciences I can teach more relevant and beneficial information to my students. I thought the program [at Illinois] was close enough to my home so that I could make an appearance on campus occasionally if I wanted to as well as the flexibility to focus on the topics I had in mind for education. I felt this would lead to an interesting research project."

Cory Pettyjohn
Teaching Assistant Professor and Faculty Program Coordinator of the Online Environmental Geology Programs

"One of my favorite roles as the Online Faculty Coordinator for the certificate and master's programs is partnering our students with Illinois faculty and project mentors in the public and private sectors on customized capstone research projects. These dynamic projects demonstrate our students’ abilities to become industry leaders, excel in project management, and work in dynamic team environments."

Wendkouni Hermann Nikiema
Current Online Environmental Geology Graduate Student

"I work for John Deere on long shifts. With the Environmental Geology program, I have time during weekends to work on my homework and review the courses, or early in the morning between 2 am to 7 am (within the week) after getting off work. My employer is also flexible and I manage with them as needed so I can complete my coursework."

Heather Miller
SESE Online Programs Coordinator and ESE Instructor

"This is a truly unique program, where students will engage with world-renowned faculty as well as practitioners in the private and public sector. Students have an opportunity to learn from a wide variety of professionals, apply skills in real-world situations, as well as customize their educational path to meet their professional and personal goals, which sets this program apart from others. We look forward to working with each and every student throughout their time in the program!"