Certificate Program

At present, two Graduate Certificates are offered. The Graduate Certificate in Economic Geology and the Graduate Certificate in Exploration Methods each comprise 12.0 credit hours. For each Graduate Certificate up to 3.0 credit hours can taken at the 400-level, with the remainder being at the 500- or 600-level. Courses counted towards the completion of one Graduate Certificate may not be double counted towards the completion of a second Graduate Certificate. Courses work conducted as part of the Graduate Certificate program may be counted towards the completion of a Professional Master’s Degree in Mineral Exploration.

Admission to the Graduate Certificate program is restricted to individuals holding an undergraduate degree in geology or related fields. The admission is competitive. Applications will be reviewed by an admission committee comprising faculty members involved in the program delivery. Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience.

Official transcripts are required for successful application to the Graduate Certificate program. Applicants are required to submit a CV, a statement of purpose/motivation, and pay application fees ($60-80). The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is waived for applicants with more than two years of professional experience in the mineral industry and no recommendation letters are required.

Part-time, on-job students:

In the on-job mode courses can be visited as a part-time student offering the possibility to complete the program at your own pace. Most block courses are offered once a year and special block courses are offered every two years. Block courses are 5-14 day short-courses offered as half-day lectures and labs on campus, field camps are 5-14 day full-day courses offered at the end of the Spring semester (May and June).

Full-time, resident students:

As a full-time student, each Graduate Certificate can be completed in one semester. Full-time students have the option to attend block courses as well as semester-long courses.

Combining certificates:

Course worked conducted for the Graduate Certificate in Economic Geology and the Graduate Certificate in Exploration Methods can be combined to count towards the completion of a Professional Master’s Degree in Mineral Exploration. This allows part-time, on-job students to complete their education in stages, while maintaining their employment in industry.

Please contact the program coordinator Mary Doherty if you have any additional questions.