• Overview
• Benefits
• Audience
• Admission Requirements
• Application Process

Overview

The demand for experienced and educated geologists is expected to grow significantly over the next decade.

To address this need the College of Continuing Education (CCE), in conjunction with the Sacramento State Department of Geology, is offering a 24-month Master of Science in Geology program. The master’s degree will provide students with the advanced knowledge and skills required to further their careers and conduct meaningful scientific research.

Benefits

Sacramento State is located on the banks of the historic American River and is a short distance from the San Francisco Bay and Delta region, providing ample opportunity for field experience in hydrogeology.

Sacramento State also has one of the largest on-campus well fields in the country, with 20 engineered wells for research and teaching. Well field facilities provide opportunities for students to get hands-on experience in aquifer testing, water sampling and geophysical logging.

Students will have access to the following equipment for field experiences:

• Water sampling and field testing tools
• Geophysical well logging (wire-line) including electrical resistivity, natural gamma, fluid properties, flow logging and acoustic televiewer
• Extraction and sampling pumps
• Hammer seismograph
• Electromagnetic tool

Convenient scheduling is offered to support working professionals. Classes are offered in the evenings, on weekends and during the summer.

Audience

We encourage new graduates to apply, as well as working professionals in the field. A mix of diverse student backgrounds enhances classroom interaction and the quality of the program for all participants. Teaching and research assistantships are available as funding allows.

Admission Requirements

Admission as a classified graduate student in Geology requires:

• A bachelor’s degree in geology or
• A bachelor's degree in another discipline AND 24 units of equivalent upper-division course work in geology, which must have been passed with a grade of "C-" or better and include: Physical Geology with Lab, Mineralogy, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Structural Geology and Field Geology

Application Process

We are currently working on rebuilding the graduate program and are planning to accept students again beginning fall 2014. Individuals interested in updating or expanding their professional skills and knowledge or "testing the waters" before applying to graduate school may enroll in graduate level geology courses. Up to 6 units earned prior to classification can be applied toward the master's degree program in geology at Sacramento State. Interested individuals should contact Candice Palaspas, program coordinator, at palaspas@csus.edu or (916) 278-2799.