Hydrogeology

Hydrogeology at Illinois State knows the important role hydrogeologists play in the environment. That’s why our program focuses only on the field of hydrogeology. This ensures you get all the tools you need for a successful career in the private sector, government, or academia.

You’ll conduct research that makes a real, positive impact. Our broad view of hydrogeology means you can explore your interests in the hydrologic cycle. Some recent research projects include:

• Surface water-groundwater interaction
• Nutrient cycling
• Impacts of humans and global change in hydrologic and water resource systems
• Flow in karst systems
• Sediment transport

Our core curriculum lets you claim the title of hydrogeologist when you graduate. You’ll be able to work in a variety of areas all over the world, such as the private sector, government, or higher education.

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a master's program must:

• have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
• present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term. If accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

The GRE is not required for this program.

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

Undergraduate Degree and Coursework

You must have an undergraduate degree in Geology with courses in:

• Mineralogy
• Petrology
• Sedimentology 
• Stratigraphy
• Structural geology 
• A course in field-mapping

Additionally, there are requirements for secondary science and math which include two semesters of chemistry, physics, and calculus.

You may be considered for the program without these courses but would need to be completed at Illinois State before graduating with your MS.

GPA

Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a master’s program.

Statement of Goals

Upload a one to two-page statement of your academic and professional goals. Be sure to include:

• the general area of research in which you are interested
• the faculty member(s) with whom you are interested in working with for research (i.e., major professor)
• your plans after completing graduate school

Recommendation Contact Information

Submit names and email addresses of three references for letters of recommendation within the online application.

English Proficiency (International Students Only)

Minimum English proficiency scores for international students are a 79 on the TOEFL internet-based (iBT) or 6.5 overall band score on the IELTS. International students can visit the International Admissions site.

Admission Dates and Deadlines

Graduate Assistantship Information

The department strives to provide financial assistance to all graduate students admitted to the program. During the school year, this support is usually either through teaching or research assistantships. During the summer, support can be through a research assistantship or an internship.

Graduate assistants receive:

• monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
• a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
• a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

A graduate assistantship usually involves teaching two or three laboratory sections of Principles of Geology, a general education introductory geology course. Other forms of graduate assistantships may also be available. Assistantships that focus on research are subject to funding supplied by an external grant source and are arranged through individual faculty members.

To be considered for an assistantship, you must be admitted to the Hydrogeology program and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

In some cases, students with GPA less than 3.0 may be admitted on probation and will be considered for assistantship after completing one semester with satisfactory performance.

International students must have a TOEFL iBT speaking sub-section score of 24 or IELTS (academic exam) speaking sub-section score of 8. 

For more details, view the graduate assistant handbook.

Cost & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

Graduate Coordinator