Geological engineering

The M.S. in geological engineering is a 30-credit program with a thesis and non-thesis option.  

Thesis option

The thesis option emphasizes research, technical specialization and developing new knowledge through advanced coursework, making it well suited for students pursuing research careers, technical leadership or doctoral study.  

Non-thesis option

A non-thesis option prepares students for industry roles and focuses on engineering practice, design and professional application through advanced coursework and project-based experiences.  

View the program handbook

Explore program courses in the University Catalog

Areas of emphasis

• Transportation engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Ecohydraulics and water resources engineering

Learning outcomes

The M.S. in geological engineering thesis option is designed for students interested in research, innovation and advanced technical investigation. Through graduate coursework and independent thesis research, you’ll develop expertise in engineering analysis, geoscience applications, site characterization, geologic hazards and subsurface systems. You will be prepared for careers in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, infrastructure design, research and other fields requiring advanced knowledge of earth systems and resilient engineering solutions.

The M.S. in geological engineering non-thesis option is designed for students seeking to apply advanced engineering knowledge to professional practice. Through graduate coursework, technical projects and applied problem-solving, you’ll strengthen skills in engineering analysis, technical communication, geoscience applications and infrastructure solutions. You will be prepared for careers in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, infrastructure design, engineering management and other technical fields addressing real-world earth systems challenges.

Program formats

The M.S. in geological engineering thesis option is a research-focused program that combines advanced coursework with independent investigation under faculty mentorship.  

The M.S. in geological engineering non-thesis option is a professionally focused program emphasizing advanced coursework, applied problem-solving and technical communication. Instead of completing a thesis, students demonstrate their skills through a technical report or paper and public presentation.  

Faculty expertise

Faculty areas of expertise include:  

• Water resources, hydraulics and ecohydraulics
• Environmental engineering and water quality
• Structural engineering and resilient infrastructure
• Transportation engineering and mobility systems
• Geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics
• Construction, pavements and materials engineering
• Sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience
• Watershed science and ecosystem restoration
• Natural hazard mitigation and infrastructure resilience
• Applied engineering research with industry and community partners

Find a faculty advisor

Professional licensing

Completion of the program will count towards eligibility for the Professional Engineer's License (PE) to practice Engineering, which requires a four-year degree from an ABET-accredited school, four years of experience under a PE and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles of Practice in Engineering (PE) Exams.

Clubs

The College of Engineering offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.

Learn about clubs related to your major:

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)
• Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE) 

Funding for the thesis option is competitive and faculty may provide graduate funding through a variety of external agencies and industry partners. Contact Engineering faculty to learn more about these funding opportunities or explore graduate fellowship programs.

Funding for the non-thesis option is generally not available in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships. This degree is designed as a professionally oriented, coursework-based program rather than a research-funded graduate track.

University of Idaho is committed to making graduate education accessible and helping students navigate the cost of earning an advanced degree. In addition to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, many graduate students receive funding through assistantships, research opportunities and other forms of academic support.

Here are a few key resources to help you understand graduate tuition, funding opportunities and available financial support:

• Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step in accessing federal financial aid and certain institutional funding opportunities.  
• Estimate your cost of attendance: Visit U of I’s cost of attendance page to explore estimated tuition, fees and living expenses associated with your graduate program.  
• View a breakdown of tuition and fees: Visit the Student Accounts page to explore current tuition rates, fees and detailed cost information based on your program, residency status and enrollment level.
• Explore scholarships and graduate funding opportunities: Graduate students may qualify for scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities based on academic achievement, area of study and professional experience.  
• Learn about assistantships: Many graduate programs offer Research Assistantships (RAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs), which may provide tuition support, stipends and valuable professional experience. Assistantship availability and funding levels vary by program and department. 

If you have questions about financial aid, scholarships or graduate funding, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors and graduate program staff can help you explore options and make informed financial decisions throughout the admissions process.  

View financial aid resources

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. 

For more funding options, visit the College of Graduate Studies’ funding website.

Recognized STEM Program

This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.

Learn more about STEM approved CIP/degree codes

Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities. 

Program contact: 
Andrew Tranmer
andyt@uidaho.edu

Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001

Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page. 

Find Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering faculty advisor contacts.

Applicants for the M.S. in geological engineering must meet the following admission requirements:

Program availability

• Concentration: Thesis and non-thesis
• Semester intake: Fall, Spring or Summer
  • Eligible for expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
  • Eligible for 4+1 admission for U of I undergraduates
  • Eligible for out-of-state tuition waiver through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) for qualifying applicants.  
  • Open to international applicants, including those requiring F-1 or J-1 visa status
• Deadlines: General application deadlines
• Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates 

University requirements

• Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar field 

  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. Official transcripts sent by the issuing institution(s) will be required if admitted.

    View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.

• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• GRE: Not required
• Letters of recommendation: Three
• Resume  
• Statement of Purpose  
• Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).  
  • Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.  
• Application Fee: $50 

Application and admission process

Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.

Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, recommender information, required program-specific materials and their intended program and start term.

Applicants seeking a thesis concentration are encouraged to identify and contact a potential faculty advisor or major professor during the application process. Early identification of an advisor can help ensure that a faculty member in the applicant’s area of interest has capacity to supervise the student and appropriate research opportunities are available. Applicants should consult the College of Engineering website to identify faculty whose research aligns with their academic and research interests.

Applications are reviewed for admission by the academic program. Only complete applications, including required letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee, will be forwarded for evaluation and admission decision. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications early to allow sufficient time for a thorough review.

International students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas must provide financial documentation demonstrating their ability to cover the cost of attendance. This documentation is required only after admission.  

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.