Geology (M.S.)

Another Degree of Success
Geology (M.S.)

Geology (M.S.)

“The School of Geosciences at UL Lafayette emphasizes the importance of not only doing the work but doing a good job. Faculty and staff are invested in each student's future after graduation. I appreciate that as well as the community vibe that has made me feel at home for the past two years.”

Geological Adventures - Meet Bibi Aseeya Mohamed

Our Master of Science in Geology prepares you to enter the professional field or continue your studies toward a more advanced degree. The following fields are emphasized in coursework and research opportunities:

Environmental Geology
Geomagnetism
Geochemistry
Geophysics including 3D seismic visualization
Hydrology
Paleontology
Petroleum Geology
Petrology
Remote Sensing
Sedimentology
Stratigraphy
Computer Applications
Structural Geology

Our location in Lafayette, LA, helps make the School of Geosciences the ideal place to earn your graduate degree in geology. Our master’s degree in geology prepares students for exciting, well-paying, and rewarding careers in areas such as petroleum exploration and environmental geology. We offer a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to each student. All of our courses emphasize the interpretation of geologic data and problem-solving, which makes our students overwhelmingly successful!

Our consistent success in the American Association of Petroleum Geologist’s Imperial Barrel Award (IBA) competition demonstrates that we are the top program in the Gulf Coast region and one of the top programs in the nation in the area of petroleum geology. The IBA petroleum exploration student competition started in 2008, and we won the Gulf Coast section in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2018 beating other universities from Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In 2012, 2014 and 2018 we won the international competition, respectively beating 103, 122 and 168 universities from around the world. UL Lafayette Geology is the only team to win the international IBA competition more than once.

Explore our:

Related Programs

Environmental Resource Science M.S.

PhD in Earth and Energy Sciences

Geology at UL Lafayette

Two geology researchers from UL Lafayette conducting a water quality test in the marsh

Unique Geology In Our Own Backyard

Geology majors get unique opportunities at UL Lafayette, thanks to South Louisiana's impressive geodiversity. Explore, study, and get your hands dirty in Louisiana’s many rivers, swamps, bayous, beaches, and forests.

Combine lab and field work

Spend as much time outside in Louisiana’s natural environment as you do in the lab. Geology majors work closely with faculty, gaining important experience and a deeper understanding of geological and environmental issues locally and globally. Explore our research areas and how you can get involved with faculty research.

Student Organizations

Connect with students and professionals in our campus-based chapters for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, the Soil and Water Conservation Society, and the Association for Women Geoscientists.

Funding

Funding opportunities such as assistantships and fellowships can help pay for your degree while letting you earn valuable experience for your career.

Application Information

A young girl with a red shirt looking at her computer screen and pushing a key.

Application Deadlines

Fall: June 30 (Domestic)
May 15 (International)

Spring: November 30 (Domestic)
October 1 (International)

Note: Separate deadlines apply for funding consideration.

UL graduate student at commencement ceremony

Assistantship Application Deadlines

Fall: March 1

Spring: November 1

two researchers working in high grass marsh

Funding

Funding opportunities such as assistantships and fellowships can help pay for your degree while letting you earn valuable experience for your career.

Learn more about funding opportunities and how to apply >>

Contact

For more information about the program and funding availability, please contact:

Carl Richter, Graduate Coordinator
Phone: 337-482-6468
Hamilton Hall 314
Email: Carl.Richter@louisiana.edu

Geology According to Grad Students

Industry Connections Development Becoming the Expert Experience

Master of Science in Geology

“I love the geology graduate program for so many reasons. The professors are truly passionate about geoscience and care about their students. I have never had a geology professor in my time at UL that has not become a friend to me. The geology program offers an abundance of research and field opportunities as well. I have worked in a stable isotope lab since January 2021, and I am now doing my thesis work there as well. I have also been able to travel the country with my classmates and my amazing professors to see rock formations first hand. I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have been given in the geology program at UL and I would recommend the program to anyone interested in geosciences. I truly believe that the past 4 years have been some of the best of my entire life because of the geology program.”

Danielle Noto, Geology M.S. Student

Master of Science in Geology

"The decision to obtain both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UL Lafayette has been incredibly beneficial towards my career. It was not until I entered the workforce that I realized what a special program we have at UL Lafayette. The curriculum is quite unique in that it focuses on teaching applicable knowledge and skills which will prepare their students for entering the oil and gas industry. I have heard time and time again from managers who have hired UL Lafayette graduates that they are both amazed and excited at how well prepared these new hires are from day one. UL Lafayette graduates have the ability to step into their new positions and contribute immediately."

Blaine Cottam, Geology M.S. Alum

Master of Science in Geology

“I am extremely happy with my decision to attend the School of Geosciences at the ��Ƶ. My undergraduate geology education was excellent, but I graduated with little knowledge of petroleum geoscience or and connection with the oil and gas industry. However, after two years at UL Lafayette I was prepared to start my career in the industry. The Imperial Barrel Award program at UL Lafayette was an exceptional learning experience. The IBA program allowed me to develop the skills I needed to earn an internship with a local independent oil and gas company and eventually a full-time position with ExxonMobil. Even though the school has lots of resources and is expanding with a PhD program, it still maintains a small department feeling where I had the opportunity to regularly interact one-on-one with all of my professors. Thanks UL Lafayette Geoscience!”

Mike Lahey, Geology M.S. Alum

Careers in Geology

Alumni Spotlight: Mary Broussard

Broussard started her graduate work at UL Lafayette when she was working full time for Marathon Oil Co. "I needed a Master's degree and, at the time, the UL graduate program was small. The UL professors were willing and able to customize my course load to fit my work schedule," she said. "I took courses during my lunch break and in the evening. I was able to pursue a graduate degree with the help of the professors."

She said the practical and hands-on education worked well for her. "Compared to most programs, it offered real-world knowledge and applications," she said. "It gave me the skill set that I needed to excel in my career. It made me a well-rounded geoscientist."

Master of Science Geology/Earth Science, 1995

Senior Geophysicist at Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas

Career Opportunities

The oil and gas industry
Hydrology, Environmental, and Geotechnical Engineering companies
Federal state, and local government agencies (USGS, NASA, EPA, LDNR, LDEQ, etc.)
The mining and mineral industry
National research labs
Science educators
Geographic information specialists
Paleontology/museums
Oceanography

Program Requirements

In addition to satisfying the Graduate School application and admission requirements, you must also submit:

• Resume
• Statement of Purpose

The usual program requires 30 semester hours of graduate credit work, which comprises 6 hours of thesis credit and 24 hours of course credit. The 24 hours of course credit must include a minimum of 15 hours of graduate credit courses in geology. In addition, course level requirements for graduate work require 12 hours of 500 level courses, at least 9 of which must be in geology. Supportive graduate courses in a related field such as biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, petroleum engineering, physics, or statistics are encouraged. Except under special circumstances, a thesis is required. If the thesis requirement is waived, permission of the head of the department and substitution of suitable course work of not less than 12 semester hours are required.

Learn more about the M.S. in Geology curriculum in the .

Resources

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Geology (M.S.)

Geological Adventures - Meet Bibi Aseeya Mohamed

Related Programs

Geology at UL Lafayette

Unique Geology In Our Own Backyard

Combine lab and field work

Student Organizations

Funding

Application Information

Application Deadlines

Assistantship Application Deadlines

Funding

Contact

Geology According to Grad Students

Master of Science in Geology

Careers in Geology

Alumni Spotlight: Mary Broussard

Career Opportunities

Program Requirements

Resources

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