Soil Science

The Master of Soil Science enhances professional skills and expertise essential to evaluating land for a variety of uses. These include wetlands protection and restoration, on-site waste disposal, forest management, horticulture, and agriculture. The program allows students to increase their technical knowledge as well as develop field skills for understanding how soils should best be managed to maintain environmental quality and human health. The program requires 30 credit hours, including enrollment in one field-based short course.

This program provides the soil science course credits that can help lead to Professional Licensure.

Eligibility

Admission to the program requires:

• Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or greater
• Adequate training in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and soil science

A panel of soil science faculty members will evaluate your application materials. In some cases, we will ask that an applicant take an undergraduate soil science course and other science courses that may be lacking prior to full admission.

Plan of Study

Once admitted to the program students will be assigned an adviser from the full-time faculty who will help plan their program. Our soil science faculty understands that field skills are indispensable for a complete education in the soil science field. Therefore, we have designed our program to require one credit in intensive field skills training.

Career Prospects

There is a need for advanced soil science training by busy professionals in the environmental sciences and health fields. Our students include professionals who want to develop new skills, keep up-to-date or earn a professional license. We understand that the demands of full-time employment and busy personal lives preclude these professionals from returning to our campus to pursue an advanced degree. Yet, career advancement often demands an advanced degree. The Master of Soil Science degree provides outstanding graduate education and professional development opportunities for practicing professionals in wetland restoration, land development, waste management, cooperative extension, and other public and private organizations and agencies engaged in soil and environmental sciences as well as land management.