The Stream and Watershed Science Graduate Certificate provides students with an understanding of the complex physical, biological and social systems involved in stream and watershed related issues. This certificate integrates many of the disciplines and professional areas of engineering, science, policy and management in the study of stream and watershed systems and the successful management of these systems. Students completing the certificate program will have a better understanding of research findings from diverse specialties and the field application of these findings in the management of streams and watershed systems.

The Stream & Watershed Science at University of Kentucky is a Graduate Certificate program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the university's main campus in Lexington, United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 1 year to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on August 21, 2027.
About Graduate Certificate in Stream & Watershed Science
Disciplines
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Graduate Certificate in Stream & Watershed Science at University of Kentucky
Entry Requirements
- Students seeking admission to the Graduate School must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the term for which s/he is admitted, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. An accredited U.S. institution is one that is accredited by the appropriate regional agency (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern or Western Association of Colleges and Schools). A recognized foreign institution is an institution that is recognized by that nation's Ministry of Education or similar authority as a postsecondary, academic degree-granting institution.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work is required by the Graduate School. Individual departments may require higher grade point averages.
- Submission of scores on the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) unless their chosen program indicates otherwise. The Graduate School has no minimum GRE score requirement; individual programs may set specific score requirements and in some cases may require the advanced portion of the GRE.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. The University of Kentucky requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based). For IELTS, a minimum mean band score of 6.5 is required. Students may also use the Duolingo English Test (only tests taken after July 15, 2019 will be accepted. The minimum score will be 115, and students recommended for admission may also be interviewed by a CESL evaluator. TOEFL essentials may also be used and the minimum overall score is 9.
- Domestic applicants (U.S. citizens or resident aliens) must pay a $65 application fee; international applicants must pay a $75 fee. The application fee is non-refundable.
English Requirements
- IELTSMin 6.5
- TOEFLMin 79
Career Opportunities after Completing Graduate Certificate in Stream & Watershed Science
The certificate requires completion of 12 credit hours and consists of a foundation course (BAE 532/CE 542 Introduction to Stream Restoration) and three primary focus areas: Stream and Floodplain Engineering and Science, Water Quality, and Policy and Management.
Completing the Certificate
Engineering and Science
- BAE 536/CE 546 Fluvial Hydraulics
- CE 642/BAE 642 Open Channel Flow
- CE 643/BAE 643 Mechanics of Sediment Transport
- GEO 451G Fluvial Forms and Processes
- GEO 721 Biogeomorphology
- GEO 731 Earth Surface Systems
- EES 585 Hydrogeology
Water Quality
- CE 547/BAE 547 Watershed Sedimentation
- CE 555 Microbial Aspects of Environmental Engineering
- CE 653/BAE 653 Water Quality for Surface Waters
- EES 530 Low Temperature Geochemistry
- PLS 455G/NRE 455G Wetland Delineation
- PLS 566 Soil Microbiology
Policy and Management
- AEC 445G Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics
- AEC 654 Natural Resources Economics
- CE 525 CE Applications of Geographic Information Systems
- CE 664/BAE 664 Watershed Management
- FOR 510 Herpetology
- NRE 556 Contemporary Geospatial Applications for Land Analysis
Tuition and Fee Information for Graduate Certificate in Stream & Watershed Science at University of Kentucky
How to Apply for Graduate Certificate in Stream & Watershed Science at University of Kentucky
1. Complete UK Graduate Application
2. $75 Application processing fee (non-refundable)
3. Official transcripts in English
4. English proficiency directly from testing center:
- TOEFL: 79 iBT
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 115
Deadline to Apply
- April 15 for Fall semester
- August 22 for Spring semester
- Some programs have earlier deadlines

United States of America, Lexington