MS Geology at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Programme overview

Students in the Master of Science program can follow the "standard" (or thesis) option or the "applied geology" (or non-thesis) option. The non-thesis option is intended as a terminal degree for students preparing for professional work in environmental and engineering geology or in applied geophysics and who have already been admitted to the program.

Faculty: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Champaign, IL, United States

What you will study

Required courses listed include GEOL 599 Thesis Research (8 max applied toward degree).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

The admission requirements of the Graduate College apply. Completion of at least one year each of study in college-level calculus, chemistry, and physics are required for admission to graduate work in geology. For more information, write to the department contact. Under special circumstances, students can be admitted at the beginning of the spring term. Graduate Teaching Experience Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program. Financial Aid Candidates for graduate degrees are usually supported through fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or work-study programs. Fellowships and assistantships include tuition and service fee waivers. Awards for financial assistance are based principally on a candidate's academic record, statement of

Domestic applicants: USD 14,908 a year (2026-27). Illinois resident rate. Tuition only for new and continuing graduate students, Fall 2026-Spring 2027 at full-time (12 credit hours per term). Non-Illinois U.S. resident tuition for this programme: $32,204. Excludes campus and mandatory fees, health insura Source

International applicants: USD 32,204 a year (2026-27). International rate. Tuition only for new and continuing graduate students, Fall 2026-Spring 2027 at full-time (12 credit hours per term). Excludes campus and mandatory fees, health insurance, housing and other expenses as the source states them separately Source

Not all graduate programmes offer admission in all terms; term availability is set by each programme of study.

Graduate applicants apply online through the Graduate College application; deadlines and term availability are set by each programme. Medicine, law and veterinary medicine applicants apply directly to their colleges.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply

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