Degree Programs
Three graduate degrees are offered: the M.S., Engineer, and Ph.D. For those students with sufficient preparation, the M.S. degree requirements can be completed in three quarters of full-time graduate study. A thesis is not required for the M.S. degree. The Engineer degree requires an additional year of study beyond the M.S. degree. During this additional year about two-thirds of the student's effort goes into coursework and one-third into a thesis project. The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of three years of study beyond the M.S. degree and often takes longer. The Ph.D. dissertation must demonstrate originality and advanced research ability.

In a typical year, the Graduate Environmental and Water Studies Program has about 100 students. About 60 of the students are enrolled for the Ph.D. degree, with the remaining 40 or so working toward either the Engineer degree or the M.S. degree.