Program Overview
Professional Science Master’s Program in Water Resources Management
As managing our freshwater resources is critical for an aquatic ecosystem and human well-being in sustainable socio-economic development, the demand for water professionals continues to grow. The PSM in Water Resources Management program is an interdisciplinary and practical graduate program that prepares graduates to develop or advance their careers in water resources and environmental sustainability management. Actively engaging students through our nationally accredited Environmental Quality Testing Laboratory, Environmental Quality Modeling and Simulation Lab, Water Resources Research Institute, and required internship at potential employer sites, the water resources program trains graduates to develop marketable skills in water or environmental quality management, including water quality monitoring, assessment, and treatment; water quality modeling and simulation; hydrological analysis; performance analysis of green infrastructure; best stormwater management practices; scientific process; effective scientific communication; geospatial analysis; stream restoration, and other skillsets.
Degree Requirements
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree and a background in business, economics, planning, mathematics, science, or engineering, are encouraged to apply to any of the PSM program tracks. To graduate, students must complete a minimum of 35 – 36 credit hours, depending on the concentration, which can be completed within two years of full-time study. The interdisciplinary nature of the program provides not only a deep knowledge of the physical, chemical, and biological sciences applicable to urban systems, but it is ideal for skill-building in environmental policy, communication, business management, project management, ethics, and leadership.
All three PSM degrees are applied sciences, and they allow working professionals to bring their own professional experience into the program to advance or retool their careers.
Each PSM may be completed as a certificate. When combined with the required core and professional courses, students receive a PSM degree.
All three curricula fulfill the knowledge requirements of the Professional Science Master’s degree, approved by the National Professional Science Master’s Association (NPSMA).