Water@PSU: For Students

Many PSU departments offer water-related courses that will prepare you for careers in water science, such as Geology, Geography, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science and Management, Chemistry, Biology and more. These departments also have some specific degrees and certificates that can help you achieve your goals. If there are additional resources or opportunities you think are missing, please let us know at waterpsu@pdx.edu.

Minor and Certificates

Water Resources Minor | Graduate Certificate in Hydrology | Graduate Certificate of Hydrogeology | Lake & Reservoir Management Certificate | Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information System (GIS) | River Restoration Certificate | Advanced River Restoration Certificate | Wetland Delineation Certificate 

Water Resources Minor

Offered through the Department of Geography, this minor explores the intersection of sociopolitical and biophysical dimensions of water resources within the context of climate change, population growth, and social justice. In 28 credits, students will learn about current and emerging issues in water resource management.

Graduate Certificate in Hydrology

Offered through the Department of Environmental Science and Management, this certificate develops student expertise in hydrologic research and is accompanied by a certification with the American Institute of Hydrology. Students are trained in water resource management and equipped to pursue employment in the private and public sector.

Graduate Certificate of Hydrogeology

The Graduate Certificate of Hydrogeology at PSU provides practicing geologists an opportunity to upgrade their hydrogeology credentials while continuing to hold full-time jobs. This certificate is designed for professionals and students interested in the field of hydrogeology. It can represent a portion of a professional geologist’s recognized training, as well as a portion of the background needed by registered geologists in the state of Oregon.

Lake & Reservoir Management Certificate

The Lake & Reservoir Management Certificate can be earned by undergraduate or graduate students. Students who complete the certificate will be prepared to take active roles in and contribute to management of lakes and reservoirs. In addition, this certificate is designed to provide the academic background required by the NALMS Professional Lake Manager certification program. 

Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information System (GIS)

The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems provides introductory and in-depth study into the design and application of geographic information systems (GIS) technology. Students enrolled in this program will complete 20 credits of coursework at Portland State University. Courses in the program will be taken by students admitted solely to the certificate program, or concurrently enrolled as Masters and Doctoral students in a degree program at PSU.

Reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of GIS, the certificate consists of core introductory courses, advanced topics and applications development courses drawn from the Geography, Urban Studies and Planning, and Geology departments at PSU. The certificate program is administered by the Department of Geography.

River Restoration Certificate

The PSU Environmental Professional Program’s River Restoration Certificate is the first of its kind in the country and is designed to extend the knowledge and skills of environmental professionals working on river restoration or mitigation projects. The Restoration Program offers courses across a range of topics in river science and management including stream ecology, site evaluation and assessment, and restoration design. Instructed by both regional and national experts and practitioners, the River Restoration curriculum is focused on collaborative planning, restoration theory, and field expertise using actual restoration projects. Graduates are awarded a certificate of completion once they have finished all the required coursework.

Advanced River Restoration Certificate

The Advanced Certificate in River Restoration at Portland State University is intended for professionals who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in the latest river restoration techniques. The Advanced River Restoration program offers cutting-edge courses taught by senior practitioners or academics with recognized names and respected track records of innovation in river restoration both nationally and internationally.

The Advanced River Restoration certificate program is taught in conjunction with River Restoration Northwest and offers rotating courses each year. The courses can be taken individually or collectively can be used to earn the Advanced River Restoration certificate from Portland State University.  Students seeking to earn an Advanced River Restoration certificate must have previously earned the EPP River Restoration Certificate.

Wetland Delineation Certificate

The PSU Environmental Professional Program's Wetland Delineation Certificate provides in-depth and field-based training in the delineation, evaluation and restoration of wetlands. The certificate and related course work are based on the US Army Corps of Engineers standards and focused on wetland soils, plants and hydrology. The certificate is also recognized by the Society of Wetland Scientist for professional certification. Student who earn the certificate will acquire the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to conduct wetland delineations and implement environmental projects in wetland ecosystems. Though the information covered in these courses is nationally applicable, they will be of greatest benefit for those working on wetlands in the Pacific Northwest.

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Updated: September 30, 2025