MS Geological Sciences at Arizona State University

Programme overview

In the Master of Science program in geological sciences, you receive fundamental graduate training in geology. You are encouraged to cross subject boundaries and pursue new understandings of Earth and the solar system. Geology at ASU lives inside the School of Earth and Space Exploration, where you study Earth alongside planetary scientists, astrophysicists and instrument builders.

What you will study

30 credit hours and a thesis Required Core (1 credit hour) SES 502 Exploring SESE Research (1) Electives or Research (22 credit hours) Other Requirements (1 credit hour) SES 501 SESE Colloquium (1) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) SES 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information Substitutions for courses listed as Other Requirements may be made with department approval.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for further graduate study or for careers in geochemistry, field geology, geomorphology, structure and tectonics, mineralogy and petrology, geophysics, planetary geology, hydrology, volcanology, Earth observation and remote sensing, and related areas, including geoscience education. Career examples: data scientist, environmental consultant, GIS or mapping specialist, materials analyst, planetary scientist, research geologist, Some students go on to doctoral programs in the field of geological sciences..

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of purpose three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

Explore more study programmes

Engineering