Field Geology, Certificate
Build a solid foundation in field-based geologic skills that strengthens your prospects for geology-related careers, internships or graduate school. Along the way, learn to produce professional geologic maps and interpretive technical reports.
Quick facts
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Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Field Geology undergraduate certificate description
The certificate program in field geology prepares you with the core knowledge base and field experience to identify, describe, collect and interpret a variety of types of geological field data.
Why earn a field geology undergraduate certificate at ASU?
Study in the American Southwest, one of the world's great natural geology classrooms. Through ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration, part of The College, you'll learn from faculty who run field programs and lead NASA- and NSF-funded research.
Additional details
As a School of Earth and Space Exploration undergraduate, you'll be based largely in ISTB4 on ASU's Tempe campus, home to research labs, a meteorite collection and the Marston Exploration Theater, a state-of-the-art 3D theater and planetarium.
Beyond the classroom, join clubs and student chapters, work in faculty research labs, attend the SESE colloquium and public astronomy nights and take part in field trips across the Southwest.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 15 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in field geology requires 15 upper-division credit hours. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be taken from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better can be used to satisfy certificate requirements. |
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GLG 310 Structural Geology
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
GLG 452 Field Geology II
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
GLG 455 Advanced Field Geology
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Interpret a variety of types of geologic field data.
- Prepare an interpretive written and illustrated technical report based on a geologic map they develop from field observations and data collection.
Interpret a variety of types of geologic field data. Enrollment requirements
Students must complete the following prerequisite courses or their equivalencies with a grade of "C" or higher (scale is 4.00 = "A") to pursue the field geology certificate:
GLG 101 Introduction to Geology I (Physical) and GLG 103 Introduction to Geology I Laboratory, or
SES 121 Earth, Solar System and Universe and SES 123 Earth, Solar System and Universe Laboratory, and
GLG 321 Mineralogy and GLG 451 Field Geology I
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this field geology undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Graduates who have completed this undergraduate certificate have a strong, field-based background; this is required for many entry-level jobs with resource mining, geotechnical and environmental consulting companies. It is also a strong asset for acceptance to many graduate research programs in the earth sciences.
Career opportunities include:
- geologic materials technician
- geologic sample test technician
- geoscientist
- geotechnician
- mining and geological engineer
Sample career settings include:
- environmental industry
- geotechnical industry
- mining and petroleum industries
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Earth and Space Exploration
|
ISTB4 795
sese-advising@asu.edu
480-965-5081
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
