M.S. Geological SciencesAbout the Program: Objectives and DescriptionCentral Washington University offers a Masters program in Geological Sciences that aims to prepare students for professional employment in geoscience careers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond or for continuing graduate studies at the doctoral level. We specialize in active and regional tectonics, structural geology, and geodynamics; climate change, paleoflood studies, and environmental geochemistry; geochronology, petrology, and volcanology; and seismic risk and GPS geodesy. This program normally leads to employment in consulting firms; in local, state, or federal government resource-based or planning agencies; in teaching at community colleges or at a secondary level; and to serve as a foundation for graduate studies beyond the M.S. level. It is also good high-level technical background for those interested in following related careers, such as environmental law, natural resource management, or teaching at the secondary level. The Department encourages an integrative, multi-disciplinary approach. Program's Student OutcomesThe goal of the M.S. program is to produce professional geoscientists with the ability to conduct original and meaningful scientific research. Professional geologists possess a broad grounding in geosciences and sophistication in their area of concentration.
Admission Requirements, Application, and Program RequirementsThe application deadline for fall term is February 1.Additional details about admission requirements, supporting materials, and program requirements are described in the CWU Online Catalog. Application for admission is available at Central Washington University's Office of Graduate Studies and Research. If you wish to be considered for a teaching or research assistantship, you MUST ALSO fill out the Graduate Assistantship section of the application. Contact Graduate Studies at (509) 963-3101 or masters@cwu.edu with questions about the application process. Areas and Electives in SpecializationCourse requirements are tailored to the individual student's
academic background, professional goals, and research interests
through advising from the graduate faculty and thesis committee
chair. The greatest departmental strengths are field-based studies in
active and
regional tectonics; continental dynamics, GPS geodesy, and seismology;
climate change, environmental geochemistry, and geomorphology; and
petrology and volcanology. Research projects have been completed around the globe including Antartica, Chile, China,
India, Indonesia, Italy, Tibet, and the western US. Central Washington University lies on the Columbia River Basalt plateau, adjacent to the crystalline core and majestic volcanoes of the Cascade Mountains. Seismicity and active volcanism of the Cascadia subduction zone, highly deformed rocks of northern Washington and British Columbia, and a water- and natural-resource based economy in central Washington provide ideal opportunities to study a wide variety of geologic problems. Opportunities for SupportThe Department of Geological Sciences offers both teaching and
grant-supported research assistantships. The teaching
assistantships are allocated through the Office of Graduate
Studies and Research and require an incoming or graduate GPA of
3.0. In addition to designated departmental assistantships,
university-wide TA's are allocated to qualified minority
candidates. Research assistantships will usually be granted to
second year students who are working on projects supported by
external grants to Geological Sciences faculty. As part of the regular
graduate school application, you MUST complete Graduate
Assistantship section of the application.
Second year students must reapply for support using the
Assistantship
Application to be considered for support for their second year. Persons of disability may make arrangements for reasonable accommodations and printed material in alternative format by calling 509-963-2701 or by leaving a message on TDD 509-963-3323. Central Washington University is an AA/EEO/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University |