Water Resource Engineering

Graduate Program Fact Sheet
Water Resource Engineering

A career in water resource engineering can be varied, exciting, and rewarding. A water resource engineer may manage the clean water supply chain entering into a household, or observe and analyze the wastewater leaving for infectious diseases, such as Covid-19. They may test the temperatures of water in creeks and rivers to ensure healthy survival of the local fish population. A water resource engineer may build modeling systems to study the course of water flow during an emergency weather event; or, they could work in dam removal or restoration. These are just a few examples of potential career pathways for the future water resource engineer.

Water Resources Engineering | M.S.

The Water Resources Engineering (WRE) degree program is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to undertake life-long careers in water resources engineering and system design.


Water Resources Engineering | Ph.D

The Water Resources Engineering (WRE) degree program is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to undertake life-long careers in water resources engineering and system design.


Water Resources Engineering | Graduate Certificate

When you earn a graduate certificate in water resources engineering online from OSU, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the hydrologic cycle, including the processes that drive precipitation, runoff and groundwater dynamics. You’ll develop skills related to numerical groundwater modeling and water quality assessment while studying the social, economic and technological factors that impact water resources management.



Graduate Student Support

How to Apply

The online application, a downloadable application form, and contact information are available from the Graduate School. You may also write to the Graduate School, Oregon State University, 2900 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331; telephone them at 541-737-4881, or email at [email protected].

A student wishing to be admitted to any graduate program at Oregon State University must complete an application form, pay the application fee, and submit photocopies of all official transcripts. International students must also submit recent TOEFL scores and certify sufficient funding to complete the required degree. The Office of Admissions provides a more complete listing of required documents and application steps. Detailed information for both domestic applicants and international applicants is also available.

Program Requirements

  • Entrance Requirements: All students entering the WRE degree program will be required to show basic competence in chemistry, physics, mathematics to integral calculus, and advanced competence (upper-division) in one science or engineering field.
  • Program Requirements: Students will complete a standard MS (45 cr.) or PhD (108 cr.) program based in water resources engineering but allowing for significant coursework in another field.
  • Exit Requirements: Students graduating from the program must show that they have a total of 37 cr. of water-related coursework based on the American Institute of Hydrology (AIH) standards. Up to 22 credits of this may be met by coursework taken elsewhere, including as an undergraduate, though it is expected that many of the requirements will be met by OSU coursework.

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