Geology

What are geologists? They are trained scientists who understand the Earth's natural processes, manmade technologies, and the intersection of the two. They work with raw data to evaluate the causes and consequences of significant geological events and material discoveries.

Geologists help identify and mitigate such large-scale geological hazards as earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods. They work in fossil fuel exploration and production, overseeing the extraction of raw resources to meet society's energy needs. They are also climate scientists who address the impacts and future of climate change at a global level.

Geologists may enter the workforce with an undergraduate degree, but many employers prefer graduate-level study. All undergraduate programs should be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET).

Degrees in Geology

Bachelor Degrees

A 4-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Arts (B.A.) degree in Geology should familiarize students with the fundamental origins, structural composition, and physical properties of the Earth. Students at this level explore major natural processes and events, and become versed in the global distribution of raw earth materials and natural resources.

Bachelors can usually find work as entry-level technicians for mining companies, environmental firms, and government entities. Some employers will finance in whole or part an established employee's graduate education. Entering the workforce after earning a bachelor's can thus be a strategic way to pursue subsidized graduate studies while gaining valuable industry experience.

In addition to general education, Geology majors take classes in:

  • Mineralogy & Petrology
  • Physical Geology
  • Structural Geology
  • Stratigraphy & Sedimentation
  • Invertebrate Paleontology
  • Hydrogeology
  • Environmental Geology
  • Field Geology Methods

Bachelor programs may focus on general Geology, Petroleum Geology, Engineering Geology, or Environmental Geology. Environmental geology students study topics like natural resources, water and air quality, planetary history, soil science, and environmental law.

Engineering geology students learn to apply their scientific knowledge to real-world interactions between built and natural environments, specifically in the geo-construction industry. They may explore, for example, remote sensing technologies, soil mechanics and rock slope stability, and contaminant hydrogeology.

Petroleum geology students at this level may study, for instance, statistics, applied geophysics, petroleum & well logging, depositional environments, and geochemistry. In general, major resource companies prefer applicants from accredited geology graduate programs, although the American Association of Petroleum Geologists says these requirements are flexible during “boom times” when the supply of geologists lags demand.

Which jobs are available to students with a B.S. or B.A. in Geology?

  • Petroleum Geotechnician
  • Disaster Assistance Scientist (FEMA)
  • Environmental Field Geologist

Master Degrees

In graduate school, students who haven't already done so should pick an employment sector and design an educational plan based on this choice. Aspiring petroleum geologists, for instance, will ultimately need a graduate degree to become full-title professionals in the oil and gas sector.

For those planning to ultimately earn a Ph.D., a master's degree is useful for learning how to conduct experimental research. Even where doctoral programs do not require Ph.D. applicants to hold a master's, acquiring one could prove a valuable learning experience.

It's not uncommon to combine a graduate degree in Geology with a degree in a related field, such as Civil Engineering. Additionally, some students pursue an MBA after a master's in Geology; business skills are highly valued in this line of work.

Students at the master's level typically collaborate with a faculty committee and advisor to plan graduate coursework around their interests. They may be required to submit a thesis to a graduate committee in order to finish the program.

Incoming master candidates are usually expected to have completed at least a year of college-level Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry. Graduate transfer applicants may need to submit GRE scores. The top geology schools expect applicants to have an undergraduate degree from an ABET-accredited institution.

What kinds of jobs are available to master degree-holders?

  • Research & Development Geophysicist
  • Operations Supervisor — Water Management
  • Principal Geosciences Consultant

Here are some examples of master's-level coursework in Geology:

  • Advanced Structural Geology & Tectonics
  • Carbonate Depositional Systems
  • Subsurface Methods

Doctoral Work

Master geologists can get solid, well-paying jobs, but more extensive career options await those who finish a 1- to 3-year Ph.D. at one of the best geology schools in the U.S. Students who anticipate, for instance, organizing their own research projects or teaching at some point should consider a Ph.D.

Geological positions that require a Ph.D. include:

  • Seismic Stratigrapher
  • Atmospheric Scientist (NASA)
  • Geochemical Research Scientist

Ph.D. candidates may pursue specialized research in, for example:

  • Urban Geology
  • Paleoecology
  • Geoarchaeology

We found 386 schools offering geology degree programs in the U.S.

>> See all 386 Geology Colleges in the U.S.

Geology Schools Ranked By US News and World Report

1
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ  |  Total Enrollment: 34488

Degrees Offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's, First-professional degree
1
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI  |  Total Enrollment: 38103

Degrees Offered: Bachelor's, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's, First-professional degree
3
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus
University Park, PA  |  Total Enrollment: 40571

Degrees Offered: Less than one year, One but less than two years, Associate's, Two but less than 4 years, Bachelor's, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's, Doctor's
3
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX  |  Total Enrollment: 49996

Degrees Offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's, First-professional degree
5
Stanford University
Stanford, CA  |  Total Enrollment: 18549

Degrees Offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's, First-professional degree
6
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA  |  Total Enrollment: 1968

Degrees Offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's
7
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA  |  Total Enrollment: 10090

Degrees Offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's, First-professional degree
8
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI  |  Total Enrollment: 40658

Degrees Offered: Bachelor's, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's, First-professional degree
9
University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley, CA  |  Total Enrollment: 31277

Degrees Offered: Bachelor's, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's, First-professional degree, First-professional certificate
10
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA  |  Total Enrollment: 24279

Degrees Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's, First-professional degree, First-professional certificate

Browse All 386 Colleges With Geology Programs


Title City State Enrollment
University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks AK 7132
Auburn University Main Campus Auburn University AL 21860
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa AL 19277
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham AL 14951
University of North Alabama Florence AL 5601
University of South Alabama Mobile AL 11673
Arkansas Tech University Russellville AR 4970
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock AR 10968
University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello AR 2323
University of Arkansas Main Campus Fayetteville AR 15346
Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus Tempe AZ 44126
University of Arizona Tucson AZ 34488
Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ 19964
California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA 1968
California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks CA 2766
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona CA 18424
California State University - Bakersfield Bakersfield CA 6397
California State University - Chico Chico CA 15912
California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson CA 12848
California State University - Stanislaus Turlock CA 7062
California State University - East Bay Hayward CA 12705
Columbia College Sonora CA 3340
California State University - Fresno Fresno CA 19056
Crafton Hills College Yucaipa CA 5054
California State University - Fullerton Fullerton CA 28381
California State University - Long Beach Long Beach CA 30918
California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 19593
California State University - Northridge Northridge CA 29066
Hartnell College Salinas CA 7757
California State University - Sacramento Sacramento CA 25714
Harvey Mudd College Claremont CA 719
California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino CA 14909
Humboldt State University Arcata CA 7433
Loma Linda University Loma Linda CA 3153
Los Angeles Southwest College Los Angeles CA 5710
Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen CA 17393
Occidental College Los Angeles CA 1729
Pomona College Claremont CA 1574
San Francisco State University San Francisco CA 26826
San Diego State University San Diego CA 31609
San Jose State University San Jose CA 26698
Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara CA 13834
Sierra College Rocklin CA 17517
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park CA 7402
University of California - Riverside Riverside CA 13015
University of California - Berkeley Berkeley CA 31277
University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara CA 19962
University of California - Davis Davis CA 26094
University of the Pacific Stockton CA 5609
University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 36890
Whittier College Whittier CA 2682
University of Southern California Los Angeles CA 29194
Adams State College Alamosa CO 8188
Colorado College Colorado Springs CO 1942
Colorado School of Mines Golden CO 3738
Fort Lewis College Durango CO 4285
University of Colorado at Boulder Boulder CO 29352
Colorado State University Fort Collins CO 26807
University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center Denver CO 13737
Western State College of Colorado Gunnison CO 2325
University of Connecticut Storrs CT 19393
George Washington University Washington DC 20527
University of Delaware Newark DE 19072
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton FL 21046
Florida International University Miami FL 31945
Florida State University Tallahassee FL 33971
University of Florida Gainesville FL 45114
University of Miami Coral Gables FL 13963
University of South Florida Tampa FL 35561
Columbus State University Columbus GA 5187
East Georgia College Swainsboro GA 1313
Georgia Southwestern State University Americus GA 2622
University of West Georgia Carrollton GA 8959
Georgia Southern University Statesboro GA 14184
Georgia State University Atlanta GA 23625
University of Georgia Athens GA 31288
University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo HI 2874
Cornell College Mount Vernon IA 987
University of Dubuque Dubuque IA 953
Iowa State University Ames IA 26845
University of Iowa Iowa City IA 28311
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls IA 14106
Boise State University Boise ID 16287
Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg ID 8949
Idaho State University Pocatello ID 13040
University of Idaho Moscow ID 11635
Augustana College Rock Island IL 2230
Bradley University Peoria IL 5951
Eastern Illinois University Charleston IL 10637
Illinois State University Normal IL 20755
Northern Illinois University Dekalb IL 23248
Northwestern University Evanston IL 16952
Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais IL 2859
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale IL 22552
University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 24942
University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign Champaign IL 38465
Western Illinois University Macomb IL 13089
Wheaton College Wheaton IL 2827
Depauw University Greencastle IN 2223
Ball State University Muncie IN 19004
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