Groundwater hydrology
Master of Science
Testing the waters
Water is life. Communities increasingly rely on groundwater for everything from irrigation to industrial cooling and drinking water. Groundwater hydrology experts are fundamental for sustainable water resource management and environmental protection.
Master of Science in groundwater hydrology coursework is designed to deepen your understanding of the concepts and professional practices used in groundwater related roles. You’ll learn to take and understand common measurements in groundwater investigations such as well water depth, well flow, water pH and temperature. You’ll gain proficiency in analyzing and interpreting hydrological data results. You’ll also design and compute data from groundwater tests commonly used in the field.
This graduate program prepares working professionals in geology, geological engineering, environmental science and water use planning with practical concepts and real-world analytical skills. Graduates go on to lead water management projects, , develop sustainable practices, protect natural ecosystems and inform policy or planning decisions related to water use.
Overview
Related Topics
Dig deeper into how water works
Application information
Requirements to apply for the groundwater hydrology M.S. degree include:
- Education level: Bachelor's
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
- Number of references: Three
Program availability
- Concentration: thesis and non-thesis
- Semester intake: Summer, Fall and Spring
- Eligible for 4+1 admission
- Eligible for Expedited admission
- Eligible for international admission
- Deadlines: general application deadlines
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Contact information
Earth and Spatial Sciences department contact:
Thomas Williams
tomw@uidaho.edu
Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001
Find Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences faculty advisor contacts.
Costs, funding and research
To learn about various ways to fund your graduate degree, check out Graduate Funding.
For detailed information about the cost of attendance, visit Financial Aid.
Beginning Fall 2026, M.S. students appointed as Teaching Assistants will receive an annual support package that includes:
- Base stipend: $18,985.20 for the 9-month academic year
- In-state tuition: fully covered by the program
- Out-of-state tuition: waived for non-resident students
- Health insurance: fully covered
- Summer support: additional scholarship up to $8,000, depending on funding availability
Real-world experience
Many of your courses will include a lab, and you’ll also have opportunities to contribute to faculty research projects, including:
- Polar meteorology and remote sensing in arctic environments
- Regional climate change in the western United States
- Forest disturbances and environmental change
- Human adaptation to climate change in high latitudes
- Natural resource applications of GIS in quantifying carbon fluxes
Degree fit
This graduate degree could be a good fit if you:
- Majored in geology, geological engineering, environmental science or water-use planning
- Appreciate hands-on learning and experience
- Aspire to do fieldwork in a professional consulting capacity
- Value logistics and modeling of real-world scenarios
Related clubs and organizations
- Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
- Geo Club
- Super Group
- College of Science Ambassadors
Career outcomes
Current job openings
345 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Hydrologists
$89,685 - Natural Sciences Managers
$152,874
* Career data provided by Lightcast.