S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources
Department of Watershed Sciences
Specializations are available in Geomorphology, and Earth Surface Processes as part of this degree. For additional degree information, see the program page or the Department of Watershed Science website.
To be awarded the Master of Science (M.S.) in Watershed Science, students must:
A. Complete the Required Course (1 credit)
B. Complete a Committee-Approved Program of Study
An M.S. Program of Study requires a minimum of 29 additional credits for both Plan A and Plan B students, including:
- Thesis Research (WATS 6970 ): 6-15 credits for Plan A students, 2-3 credits for Plan B students.
- Elective Courses: 14-23 credits (depending on the total number of research credits taken) for Plan A students, 27-28 credits (depending on the total number of research credits taken) for Plan B students.
C. Complete the Following Graduation Requirements:
- Responsible Conduct of Research training (ideally by the end of the first semester)
- Approved Supervisory Committee
- Present at the WATS Graduate Research Symposium
- Approved thesis proposal (Plan A) or project/paper (Plan B)
- Successfully defend the thesis (Plan A) or project/paper (Plan B)
- Submission of the thesis (Plan A) or project/paper (Plan B) to the USU Merrill-Cazier Library
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
D. Fulfill the USU School of Graduate Studies general graduation guidelines
- Degree Verification: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.
- Overall Graduate GPA at least 3.0 with no grades of C- or lower: Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for courses on their Program of Study. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.
- Course Number Acceptability: An M.S. Program of Study must include at least 18 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above. Credits in the following areas are not acceptable in a degree program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 5000.
- Matriculation Start Semester: An M.S. degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by a student’s supervisory committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review and approval.
- Coursework Validity: Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.
- Thesis Research Credits: An M.S. (Plan A) degree requires the preparation and defense of a thesis. A minimum of 6 credits of Thesis Research (WATS 6970) are required, but no more than 15 Thesis Research credits can be included in an approved Program of Study.
An M.S. (Plan B) degree requires the production and defense of a paper or project. A minimum of 2 credits of Thesis Research (WATS 6970) are required, but no more than 3 Thesis Research credits can be included in an approved Program of Study.
- Successful defense and submission of thesis (Plan A) or paper/project (Plan B) to the USU Merrill-Cazier Library
- Approval of academic forms required for doctoral students by the School of Graduate Studies
- Supervisory Committee
- Program of Study
- Thesis/Project Approval
- Appointment for Examination
- Record of Examination
- School of Graduate Studies and USU Merrill-Cazier Library thesis review and approval
- Graduation Check Request
- Application for Graduation ($15.00 fee)
