The M.S. degree program in Geology focuses on fundamental questions in Earth Sciences ranging from how the Earth formed, how it has evolved through time, and how it operates and is changing today. Geologists at WSU study regions of the Earth from its deep interior to its highest mountains, they study Earth materials from the building blocks of the planets to the magmas that erupt from volcanoes to the sands on the seashores, and they study the Earth and its hydro-geochemical cycles on timescales from its very beginnings to the present day.
The primary goal of the Geology M.S. program at WSU is to prepare students for professional employment in a broad range of geoscience careers (environmental consulting, minerals/petroleum industry, local/state/federal resource-based or management agencies, teaching), or for serving as a foundation for continuing to graduate studies at the Ph.D. level. WSU offers specialization in multiple subdisciplines, including structure/tectonics, petrology, geochemistry, geophysics/geodynamics, and sedimentology/stratigraphy.
The goal of the M.S. program is to produce broadly trained, professional geoscientists with the ability to conduct original scientific research. In addition to course work, the primary requirement for the M.S. degree is preparation of a thesis that should represent a publishable contribution to the geoscience
community. Each program is designed in consultation with a faculty advisor to meet the needs of the student.
Specialization is offered in:
Sedimentology — Stratigraphy
Structural Geology – Tectonics
Minerology Petrology — Geochemistry
Hydrogeology — Biogeochemistry
Geophysics — Geodynamics
September 2025
Washington State University
370 Lighty Student Services Building,
PULLMAN,
Washington,
99164, United States
A grade point average equivalent to a U.S. grade of “B” (3.0) or better is required
BA/BS degree in a related field (some prerequisite course work may be completed after admissions)
GRE tests requirement are waived until further notice.
The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 7.
A TOEFL score of at least 600 (Paper-Based), 250 (Computer-Based), or 96 (Internet-Based) is required
Deadlines:
Fall Semester: January 10
Spring Semester: July 1
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.