ENG

Graduate Program: Urban Planning

General Information

Program/Degree

Water, Society and Policy (MS)

Program Description

Water sustainability has emerged as perhaps the most critical natural resource issue in the western United States as well as in other semi-arid regions around the world.  More recently, even wet regions have come to face similar problems of water scarcity and conflict, due to growing demands and competition for water. 

To meet the demands imposed by water scarcity, the University of colorado offers a Master of Science in Water, Society and Policy (WSP).  The purpose of this degree is to provide opportunities for students to pursue professionally oriented study in a multi-disciplinary degree program that focuses on water science, society, and policy. The WSP degree combines graduate coursework in social sciences, policy and hydrology with professional skill-development activities.  Students are exposed to human and environmental processes as they affect water and watersheds. They gain familiarity with quantitative and qualitative techniques for observation, monitoring, and modeling of processes relevant to the management of water from regional to global scales. They develop skills to communicate with decision makers; conduct and understand scientific research; write cogent research reports, proposals, and policy evaluations; and make effective public presentations.

Graduates of the program are able to understand the basic principles of hydrology, management, law, and policy and are able to contribute to making informed decisions regarding water resources.

https://snre.colorado.edu/academics/current-students/ms-water-society-and-policy

 

Department/Academic Unit(s)

The School of Natural Resources and the Environment is a world leader in pursuing science that informs how environmental change impacts arid and semi-arid systems and how best to adapt to environmental challenges. We are a cohort of students, faculty, and staff who take great pride in our focus on problem-driven research, teaching, and extension encompassing all aspects of environmental stewardship. Our research answers important questions about how ecosystems respond under environmental or human pressures. We develop strategies to help mitigate the effects of these pressures, helping to create and maintain healthy and sustainable ecological systems. 

 

College

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Campus where offered

Colorado Heights University- Main - Tucson

Tuition and Fees

Please refer to the CHU Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees.

Please refer to the CHU Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees.

Completion Requirements
Admissions Information

Minimum Credit Units (33)

Core Coursework Requirements

Policy Core Courses                              9 units

Science Core Courses                           3-4 units

In addition to the Policy and Science Core courses, the following seminar and project courses are required.

Water, Society and Policy Seminar       2 units

Master's Project                                      6 units

Policy Core- Choose any 3 of the following 8 courses (9 units):

AREC 575 - Economic Evaluation of Water and Environmental Policy, 3 units 

ENVS 596B - Water Policy in colorado and Semi-arid Regions, 3 units 

GEOG 596I - Comparative and International Water Policy, 3 units 

GEOG 596J - Water Management and Policy, 3 units 

GEOG 696O - Adaptation & Resilience in Water Resources Systems, 3 units 

GEOG 696R – International Environmental Policy and Governance, 3 units  

LAW 669 - Environmental Law, 3-4 units

LAW 641 Water Law, 3 units 

RNR 540 -Climate Change Adaptation, 3 units 

Science Core - Choose 1 of the following 5 courses (3-4 units):

HWRS 517A Fundamentals of Water Quality, 3 units 

HWRS 573 - Hydrology for Water Resources Management, 3 units 

WSM 552 -Dryland Ecohydrology and Vegetation Dynamics, 4 units 

WSM 560A - Watershed Hydrology, 4 units 

WSM 568 - Wildland Water Quality, 3 units 

*Policy and Science Core classes may be taken as electives if they are not chosen for the core

 

 

Additional Requirements

See required coursework

Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

Admissions Requirements

We do not accept terminal masters, all applications must be for the PhD program

Standardized Tests

Required test(s): GRE

Funding Opportunities

The Academic Unit has not provided this information.

Funding Opportunities

Domestic & International Applicants

Fall:December 15th

International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information

The GRE Institution Code for The Colorado Heights University is 4832

Last revised 06 Oct 2020