Skip to main content
Skip to main menu Skip to spotlight region Skip to secondary region Skip to UGA region Skip to Tertiary region Skip to Quaternary region Skip to unit footer

Slideshow

Water Resources Certificate

The purpose of the program is to train students to manage our scarce water resources for the maximum benefit of the world's population, while at the same time preserving the ecologic integrity of our aquatic resources. The Water Resources Certificate prepares students for careers in environmental science and management.

Undergraduate Certificate in Water Resources

There are four requirements to obtain the certificate.

  1. An enrolled undergraduate student must complete three credit hours in five of the following six categories:
    • Water Resource Foundations
    • Water Quality Foundations
    • Hydrologic Processes
    • Biological Interactions
    • Management, Economics, and Policy
    • Applications

    A list of classes that can be used to meet each of the categories is available at: Undergraduate Water Certificate Class List.

  2. There are three seminar options:
    • Attend six seminars in person. Ms. Yearwood will add you to the seminar listserv so that you receive notifications of upcoming seminars.
    • You may substitute up to three online seminars for three in-person seminars, with a total of six seminar write-ups.
    • If your schedule does not allow you to attend seminars in person, you can watch eight online seminars on the subject of WATER with a total of eight seminar write-ups. A wide range of WATER online seminars can be found at CUAHSIC Cyberseminars.
  3. Submit Your Packet
    • The packet should include one seminar write-up per page with your name, student ID, and date on the page. The write-up should also include the title of the seminar, the presenter's name and date, and the summary should be 1–2 paragraphs summarizing the materials presented.
    • If the seminar is an online seminar, the seminar must be on the subject of water, please indicate this in the date it was viewed along with the other information listed above.
  4. Graduating the Certificate
    • In Athena, you should apply to the graduate the certificate in the semester you are graduating.
    • Ms. Yearwood will meet with the Program Director to review your transcript to ensure that you have met all requirements. Ms Yearwood then prepares the Official Certificate, clears the certificate in Athena, notifies the UGA Registrar, who adds the Certificate to your transcript. The Certificate is signed by Program Director and the Dean of the School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The Certificate is then mailed to the student’s home address on record following graduation.

Graduate Certificate in Water Resources

Program Description

The Graduate Water Resources Certificate provides incentives and structure for graduate students in water-related fields by developing an improved understanding of the biophysical, social, and institutional aspects of terrestrial and aquatic systems.

There are over 100 faculty across the UGA campus in nineteen academic units who teach, conduct research, or otherwise have an interest in the field of water resources.

We use a broad definition of water resources that includes hydrology, water quality, limnology, aquatic ecology, bioremediation, biofiltration, wetland and stream restoration, water economics, law, and policy.

Meeting these pressing water resource challenges requires trained professionals with skills in management, economics, hydraulics, and water quality.

This greater knowledge base and enhanced skill set will strengthen graduates’ credentials for professional employment and enable greater multidisciplinary communication among future water resource professionals.

The objective of the Graduate Certificate Program is to better utilize existing resources to foster an integrated approach to water resources.

Certificate Requirements:

The Graduate Water Resources Certificate is granted upon completion of a UGA graduate degree.

The Certificate requires that students complete 18 credit hours, including three credit hours from each of the following six categories:

  • G1. Hydrology and Environmental Chemistry
  • G2. Environmental Considerations
  • G3. Social Institutions
  • G4. Economics
  • G5. Environmental Policy
  • G6. Advanced Tools and Methods

A partial list of classes that can be used to meet each of the categories is available at: Graduate Water Certificate Class List

These classes have been selected to provide a broad base in the physical, biological, economic, and social components of water resources issues and problems.

Note that substitution is allowed upon approval by the Water Resources Certificate Program Director.

The certificate program is expected to add no more than one semester to most students’ programs because most students will be required to take some of these classes for their primary degree requirements.

Applying for the Certificate

Contact Jenny Yearwood who will contact the UGA Registrar’s Office to add the Graduate Certificate to your program of study.

Support Warnell

We appreciate your financial support. Your gift is important to us and helps support critical opportunities for students and faculty alike, including lectures, travel support, and any number of educational events that augment the classroom experience. Learn more about giving.