New Environmental Geology Master’s Program Combines Technical, Professional Skills Education
OVERLAND PARK (Aug. 6, 2018) – Environmental geology is a growing field in Kansas City, with major area construction companies, engineering firms and government agencies experiencing an increased need for geoscience professionals. It is an interdisciplinary field that addresses and studies naturally occurring and man-made environmental hazards.
The KU Edwards Campus is meeting this growing need with a new, online Professional Science Master’s program with an emphasis in environmental geology. The program provides students with a combination of technical and professional skills courses targeted to their chosen field, and designed to help them accurately gather and effectively communicate scientific data.
“Since professional geologists are often traveling and working at field sites, it can be difficult to pursue a traditional graduate degree,” Mark Jakubauskas, director of science programs for the KU Edwards Campus, said. “In collaboration with professional geologists, the KU Department of Geology and the KU Edwards Campus created one of the first online master’s degrees in environmental geology in the country.”
Environmental geologists work both in the field and in the lab gathering data on geophysical events, performing site analysis and assessing potential geophysical impacts to the environment by development projects or waste disposal, among other duties. The results of this work are often shared in the form of reports or presentations to businesses, government officials or the public at large.
Stephen Hoffine, principal at Burns & McDonnell, a Kansas City-based engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting solutions firm, says education in environmental science, including geology, can lead to successful careers in a variety of fields, in Kansas City and beyond.
“The strong scientific and critical thinking that come with the geology degree lends to opportunities in many areas including consulting, federal, state and municipal government, industry and utility companies all look for employees with that background,” Hoffine said.
KU Edwards Campus Vice-Chancellor David Cook says the new program’s comprehensive training approach and accessible online delivery are valuable assets in developing skilled talent for Kansas City’s workforce.
“The Kansas City metro area stands out nationally for the variety of environmental and engineering companies that make their home here,” Cook said. “Offering a program like this at the Edwards Campus helps provide a pipeline of trained professionals who exhibit technical skills and strong management abilities.”
The PSM in Environmental Geology consists of 36 credit hours, with the majority of classes offered online. Three required, single-credit-hour short courses covering field and laboratory methods are taught in person at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park. These short courses are each designed to be completed over a single day or weekend, allowing out-of-town students to quickly complete their degree requirements. A shorter graduate certificate option is also available, consisting of 13 credit hours, which includes one in-person short course.
About The University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. Its mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world. The KU Edwards Campus at 127th Street and Quivira Road in Overland Park brings the high-quality academic, professional and continuing education programs as well as research and public-service benefits of KU to the Greater Kansas City community in order to serve the workforce, economic and community development needs of the region.
The PSM in Environmental Geology is supported by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle.
