By Illinois Online

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is expanding its online offerings with two innovative programs, designed to meet the growing demand for advanced skills in environmental and engineering geology.

Launching in spring 2026, the graduate certificate programs in Engineering Geology & Subsurface Investigations and Environmental Remediation & Compliance will provide targeted, workforce-driven training for geologists, engineers and environmental professionals.

Both 12-credit-hour, fully online programs are offered collaboratively by the School of Earth, Society & Environment (SESE) and the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE). The partnership brings together Illinois’ internationally recognized expertise in earth sciences and engineering, ensuring that students gain both the geoscientific foundation and applied technical skills needed to solve real-world problems.

“As a former industry geological engineer at Burns & McDonnell-turned-educator, I've seen firsthand how critical it is to bridge real-world practice with academic innovation,” said Cory Pettijohn, Director of the Environmental Geology Graduate Programs and the College of Liberal Arts & Science’s Dean’s Fellow for Online Graduate Programs. “My mission in spearheading these certificates is to empower professional learners in industry to upskill through flexible programs that directly benefit their careers and communities.”

Go to the sidebar below for a closer look at each program.

Advancing Illinois’ Land-Grant Mission

The new certificates are part of the university’s ongoing effort to expand access to high-quality, flexible education for professionals across the globe. Both programs are 100% online and feature 8- or 16-week courses, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace.

The certificates are also stackable, enabling professionals to build a customized educational portfolio that aligns with their career goals and apply credits earned toward the 32-credit-hour M.S. in Environmental Geology or the 36-credit-hour M.S. in Civil Engineering online programs if they wish to advance their studies.

“Illinois is a land-grant university at its core, and these programs extend that mission by bringing world-class education directly to professionals wherever they are,” said Pettijohn, who is also a teaching assistant professor. “I know that when learning is relevant and flexible, it can transform a working professional’s career trajectory without uprooting their life.”

A Model for Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The launch also represents a broader initiative to expand collaborative, cross-college programs at Illinois, an effort led by Pettijohn through a Dean’s Fellowship for Online Graduate Programs in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS).

Since beginning his fellowship in August, Pettijohn said that one of his goals has been to foster and highlight collaborative programs between colleges.

“These new joint certificates with Civil & Environmental Engineering are a great example of that effort in practice,” he said. “By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across campus, we’re preparing students to tackle complex problems that don’t fit neatly into a single field.”

The partnership builds on a long history of collaboration between geology and civil engineering in areas such as engineering geology and environmental remediation – fields that have always required interdisciplinary expertise.

Pettijohn added that each program was developed with input from industry professionals to ensure that the curriculum remains aligned with evolving employer needs and delivers workforce-ready skills.

He also pointed out that the initiative underscores Illinois’ leadership in lifelong learning and workforce development, aligning with the Boldly Illinois 2030 vision.

“Career readiness is at the heart of our curriculum, and every course is built to deliver skills professionals can apply on the job immediately,” Pettijohn said. “Our goal is to cultivate forward-thinking leaders by providing an education that not only advances individual careers but also sparks innovation across the industries we serve.”

Applications for both programs are open for Spring 2026. Apply by January 10, 2026, to secure your seat.

See application deadlines for other start dates.


Here's a Closer Look at Each Program

Engineering Geology & Subsurface Investigations

Designed for geologists, geotechnical engineers and construction professionals, the Engineering Geology & Subsurface Investigations Graduate Certificate delivers targeted, workforce-ready training in geotechnical and subsurface analysis – essential skills to address modern infrastructure and environmental challenges.

Students will gain expertise in:

• Geophysical Characterization – Applying seismic, electrical and electromagnetic surveys to non-invasively investigate subsurface conditions.
• Engineering Geology Integration – Using rock and soil mechanics to evaluate slope stability, seismic risk and complex sites.
• Soil Mechanics & Geotechnical Foundations – Mastering soil classification, shear strength, consolidation and foundational engineering principles.

Graduates will be prepared to design and implement safe, resilient and cost-effective projects such as road embankments, tunnels, dams and landslide mitigation systems.

Students will also develop the ability to communicate geological insights within multidisciplinary teams – a skill increasingly valued in engineering design and environmental consulting.

Environmental Remediation & Compliance

The Environmental Remediation & Compliance Graduate Certificate is geared toward working environmental and regulatory professionals such as consulting engineers, remediation specialists and regulatory professionals seeking advanced training, as well as transitioning STEM professions including scientists and engineers looking to enter the growing fields of environmental remediation and compliance.

Students will build advanced knowledge in:

• Treatment Technology Design – Engineering chemical and biological processes to treat water and contaminated environments.
• Pollutant Fate & Cleanup – Understanding how pollutants move, transform and can be remediated under different conditions.
• Hydrogeochemistry & Bioremediation – Applying microbial and geochemical processes to mitigate contamination.

Graduates will be equipped for roles such as remediation engineer, compliance manager or environmental consultant, applying their expertise to challenges like PFAS cleanup, groundwater and soil remediation and regulatory compliance.