Water resources | Water resources, science and management option
Master of Science
Innovate in water management
Develop the scientific expertise and management skills needed to address today’s complex water resource challenges. This interdisciplinary master’s program blends coursework in hydrology, environmental science, resource management and policy, preparing you to manage water systems that support both people and ecosystems. You’ll learn to analyze data, assess environmental impacts and apply sustainable management practices across agricultural, industrial and natural resource settings.
Graduates are well-prepared for careers in water management agencies, environmental consulting firms, nonprofits and governmental organizations focused on water sustainability.
Overview
Innovate in water management
Application information
Applicants for the master’s in water resources program must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:
- 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
- Other requirements: Statement of research interests
Program availability
- Concentration: Thesis and non-thesis
- Semester intake: Fall and Spring
- Eligible for Expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
- Eligible for international applicants
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Contact information
Water resources graduate program contact: Timothy Link (tlink@uidaho.edu)
Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001
To find faculty advisor contacts, reach out to Water Resources steering committee members:
Elowyn Yager; eyager@uidaho.edu (Engineering)
Robert Heinse; rheinse@uidaho.edu (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences)
Erin Brooks; ebrooks@uidaho.edu (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences)
Kendra Kaiser; kkaiser@uidaho.edu (Idaho Water Resources Research Institute)
Manoj Shrestha; mks@uidaho.edu (College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences)
Dylan Hedden-Nicely; dheddan@uidaho.edu (College of Law)
Jeff Langman; jlangman@uidaho.edu (College of Science)
Andy Kliskey; akliskey@uidaho.edu (College of Art and Architecture, EPSCoR)
Timothy Link; tlink@uidaho.edu (College of Natural Resources)
Costs, funding and research
Graduate students are typically funded through a variety of sources. Funding opportunities are provided directly by faculty advisors, and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact potential major professors to develop a dialogue prior to applying.
To learn about ways to fund your graduate degree, check out the Graduate Funding page.
Visit Financial Aid to find detailed information about the cost of attendance.
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Are interested in natural resources
- Are passionate about interdisciplinary water issues
- Are interested in the integration of water science, policy, law and engineering
- Have strong research and analytical thinking skills
- Can communicate and work well with others
Hands-on learning
- Access to indoor and outdoor laboratories
- Distinctive combination of research, networking and community involvement
- Availability of the Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship
Clubs and organizations
- Idaho Water Resources Research Institute
- H2IdahO is a student club for those interested in water
- Graduate and Professional Student Association
- IdaH2O is a Master Water Stewards Program for community outreach
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,871 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Chief Sustainability Officers
$193,281 - Architectural and Engineering Managers
$169,180 - Natural Sciences Managers
$152,874 - Regulatory Affairs Managers • Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
$97,250 - Regulatory Affairs Specialists • Environmental Compliance Inspectors
$81,914
* Career data provided by Lightcast.