Water Resources, Certificate
Study water where it matters most, the arid Southwest, alongside faculty tackling real water challenges. Because these irreplaceable resources are strained by population growth and climate change, their management is increasingly in demand from many perspectives.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Water Resources undergraduate certificate description
The certificate program in water resources covers topics related to hydrologic science and their application to water resources management. The sequence of classes offered through the certificate program builds from a foundation in geological sciences up to water policy and design aspects of hydrology, as selected by you.
Why earn a water resources certificate at ASU?
The School of Earth and Space Exploration is one of the few schools to unite scientists and engineers under one roof, with faculty who lead NASA and NSF missions, build flight instruments and run field campaigns on all seven continents.
Additional information
SESE undergraduates have access to research labs, a meteorite collection, and the Marston Exploration Theater, a state-of-the-art 3D theater and planetarium. Students can join clubs and student chapters, work in faculty research labs, attend the school 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 16 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 water resources requires 16 credits, of which 12 credits must be upper division. 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 minor requirements. |
||
|
GLG 108 Water Planet
(SCIT)
or
SOS 182 Water Planet
(SCIT)
4 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 4 |
|
GLG 327 Earth's Critical Zone
or
SOS 374 Earth's Critical Zone
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
GLG 470 Hydrogeology
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.
|
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Analyze scientific data to quantify and make predictions about water flow at or near Earth’s surface in response to gravitational, atmospheric, topographic, and hydrologic characteristics of the medium through which it moves.
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of the hydrologic cycle and the interactions among physical, biological, and chemical components of a particular geologic setting.
Analyze scientific data to quantify and make predictions about water flow at or near Earth’s surface in response to gravitational, atmospheric, topographic, and hydrologic characteristics of the medium through which it moves.Enrollment requirements
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 water resources certificate prepares you for
The demand for individuals with industry-specific water resources skills is clear.
Students who earn a certificate in water resources can advance their career and become more marketable to employers. Exciting career opportunities in this field exist within government agencies, private sector consulting, engineering firms and nonprofit organizations, though most career areas require more training than a certificate alone can provide.
Career opportunities include:
- hydrologist
- soil and water conservationist
- water or wastewater engineer
- water resources technician
Sample career settings include:
- environmental industry
- governmental agencies
- nonprofit organizations
- private voluntary organizations
- regulatory agencies
- utilities
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.
