General Information

The geological engineering program at Missouri University of Science and Technology offers an on-line or on-campus Master of Engineering (ME) degree in geotechnics. This degree is primarily designed for working professionals whose upward mobility requires an advanced degree, but who do not wish to take an extended leave of absence to physically attend college. The program is an interdisciplinary master’s degree program without a required research component. Courses in geological, civil, and mining engineering can be applied to the degree and include areas such soil mechanics, foundations, rock mechanics, natural hazards, risk assessment, and geophysics, among other topics. For students pursing this degree online, all courses are offered with a flexible schedule to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals. Many students begin this degree with the Geotechnics graduate certificate; all courses used towards the certificate also apply to the ME in Geotechnics.

Geological Engineering is one of three programs in the Earth Sciences and Engineering Department at Missouri S&T, comprising one natural science degree program (Geology and Geophysics) and two engineering programs (Geological Engineering and Petroleum Engineering). Students in all three programs benefit from interdisciplinary education that spans both science and engineering domains, enhancing their skill sets and marketability in diverse industries, including energy, mining, and environmental consulting.

For more information, visit Missouri S&T Earth Sciences and Engineering.

Admission Requirements

• BS degree in geological engineering, geology, civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental science, or a related field. (For graduates of a non-engineering B.S. some bridging courses may be required).
• Prerequisite requirements include at least one introductory course in physical geology. GRE scores are not required.
• GPA: 3.0 for regular admission and 2.5 for probationary admission
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required
• English proficiency test score requirements (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo)

(international students only)

• Other requirements: Resume/CV, Statement of Purpose

Program Requirements

• Total number of credit hours of lecture courses: 30
• Minimum number of hours of geological engineering courses: 15
• Minimum number of hours of 6xxx courses: 9.

Required Core Courses (15 credit hours):

• GEO ENG 5331 or GEO ENG 5381: Subsurface Hydrology; Intermediate Subsurface Hydrology and Contaminant Transport Mechs (LEC 2.0 + LAB 1.0, offered every fall for 5331 and every spring for 5381)
• GEO ENG 5441: Engineering Geology and Geotechnics (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
• GEO ENG 5471: Rock Engineering (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
• GEO ENG 6400: Practice Oriented Project (LEC 3.0, offered every fall and spring)
• CIV ENG 5715: Intermediate Soil Mechanics (LEC 3.0, offered every fall) 

Elective Courses (15 credit hours):

• GEO ENG 5415: Soil Mechanics for Geoprofessionals (LEC 3.0, offered every summer)
• GEO ENG 6441: Geotechnical Construction Practice (LEC 3.0, offered every spring)
• GEO ENG 6477: Discontinuous Rock (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
• GEO ENG 6625: Applications in Geological Engineering (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
• CIV ENG 5716: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
• CIV ENG 5729: Foundation Engineering II (LEC 3.0, offered periodically) 

Other 4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx courses as approved by the advisor.

Course Availability

A full list of course availability and timing can be found here: https://cec.mst.edu/academics/course-availability/

Please note: During the semester a student will have completed nine hours of graduate credit, the student must formally plan the remainder of their graduate program in consultation with their academic advisor, and submit a Form 1 for approval, first to the department chair and then to the vice provost of graduate education.