Environmental Geosciences P.S.M.
With small classes and close faculty attention, the University of Northern Colorado’s P.S.M. in environmental geosciences offers tremendous flexibility, independence and applied experience. You’ll deepen your technological fluency, formulate creative approaches to scientific challenges and sharpen your communication ability. The program includes an internship with a geoscience company or agency, while providing opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills and collaborate with specialists from multiple scientific disciplines. You’ll graduate with a broad set of high-level competencies and a proven ability to tackle demanding scientific tasks.
Academic Mastery, Professional Polish
Innovative and experience-deep, the Environmental Geosciences P.S.M. program offers advanced scientific training for high-level careers in resource management, energy development, environmental regulation, public policy and related fields. You’ll conduct sophisticated fieldwork, data gathering and statistical analysis, while cultivating the managerial and communication skills necessary to lead and communicate about complex scientific inquiries.
Degree Option
P.S.M. in Environmental Geosciences
The Professional Science Master’s degree integrates high-level academic work with professional skill development. UNC’s program includes a three-credit internship in a corporate, government or nonprofit workplace and is certified by the Council of Graduate Schools through the Professional Science Master’s Association. You can complete the 30-credit program in 12 to 18 months.
Take the next step! Explore courses, contact information and admission requirements.
Your Future in Environmental Geosciences
The Environmental Geosciences P.S.M. qualifies you for high-level employment in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. You’ll be prepared for managerial jobs in industries such as resource extraction, technology and environmental regulation, or may pursue opportunities as an independent consultant or entrepreneur. UNC’s location is a major plus, as Colorado is a dynamic hub of cutting-edge activity in the environmental geosciences, with many opportunities for direct experience and specialized expertise in water, fossil fuels, mining, renewable energy and other sub-disciplines.
Consider UNC's P.S.M. in Environmental Geosciences if you want to:
- Seek advancement to the managerial level or above
- Are enthusiastic about fieldwork and hands-on experience
- Have in interest in pairing advanced academic knowledge with professional development
You’ll learn:
- Management and communication skills
- Data gathering and analysis
- Environmental regulatory standards
- Industrial employment practices
Sample courses:
- Global Change
- Petroleum and Energy
- Geographic Information Science
- Communication and Leadership

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Felicia Kruger
UNC Master's Student in Environmental Sciences
Felicia Kruger, a single mom from Arvada, was one of the first three students to enroll in the Professional Science Master's in Environmental Geosciences degree from UNC.
Despite having two young children and a job with the city's utilities department, Kruger wanted to further her education and was willing to put in the hard work to achieve her goals. So starting fall 2014, she added a twice-a-week commute to UNC's Greeley campus to her already-busy schedule, even though it meant 10- and 12-hour days that included being a teaching assistant in a geology lab.
She’s hoping to apply it to a position with the City of Arvada, or do environmental work with an engineering firm or an oil and gas company. "It would be great if something works out with the city because it's a great place to work," Kruger said. "But if it doesn't, an advanced degree gives me options."
Besides working hard, Kruger has this advice for new grad students: "The first semester is the hardest. Once you get through that and fall into kind of a rhythm, it gets a lot easier."
Beyond the Classroom
The P.S.M. program in environmental geosciences culminates in a three-credit internship with an industry or government employer. Colorado offers a wide variety of outstanding internship experiences with world leaders in industry, environmental technology and geoscience research. The region is home to major federal government facilities such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey and National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Where can your degree take you?
- Managerial job in energy, mining or other extractive industry
- Environmental regulation
- Research and development
- Independent consulting
- Entrepreneurship
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