Master of Irrigation Engineering at Utah State University

The Irrigation Engineering at Utah State University is a Master 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 Logan , United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 2 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on August 29, 2027.

About Master of Irrigation Engineering

The irrigation engineering program at USU has long been recognized as the best program of its kind in the nation, and possibly the world. Many of the prominent irrigation engineers in the United States and around the world are graduates of the USU program, and the programs faculty continues a tradition of leadership in international development projects in several dozen countries across the globe. Projects have been conducted in Latin America, the Caribbean region, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. At USU, irrigation engineering students are exposed to classroom instruction, laboratory work in hydraulics, remote-sensing, and more. They also have the opportunity to conduct field work.

Students may study in the following areas:

Integrated Water Management: In this area, students study a broad range of topics related to irrigation, including the use of treated wastewater in irrigation, conjunctive use of surface and ground water, water policy, training tools for improving water management, and many others.
Crop Water Requirements: Students studying crop water requirements focus on the evapotranspiration (ET) of agricultural crops and other vegetation based on weather station instrumentation and or lysimeter measurements or flux systems, such as eddy covariance and Bowen ratio. It is important to estimate ET to understand water requirements and to lead to improvements in water management. This sometimes also includes measurements and/or estimations of crop production.
Irrigation System Operation and Maintenance: This area focuses on the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems, which sometimes includes organizational development and institutional strengthening of water users' associations. Topics include specific procedures, operational plans, maintenance plans, and irrigation system administration.
Remote Sensing and Spatial Apps: This is the application of ground-based, airborne, and satellite remote-sensing technologies with Geographical Information Systems for evapotranspiration estimation, irrigation system mapping, crop identification, crop yield estimation, water balance and efficiency estimations, and many others.
On-farm Irrigation Methods: Students will learn to design and evaluate on-farm irrigation methods, including surface (furrows, borders, and basins) and pressurized (sprinkler and micro-irrigation) methods. This may also include other topics, such as pressure regulation, water application uniformity, water filtration, chemigation, and many others.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Irrigation Engineering at Utah State University

Entry Requirements

Have the requisite degree for your intended program by the time you are matriculated.
3.0 or higher GPA for the terms that include your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits.
Score at or above the 40th percentile on appropriate admissions test.
- Some programs may accept a portfolio in place of admissions test score. Contact the department for details.
Meet any additional requirements for the program.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6
TOEFLMin 71

English Program Requirements

Students who do not demonstrate the required English proficiency scores, but are academically qualified, may be considered for admission to the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) on the Logan campus. If admitted, students complete required English language courses before beginning their academic coursework.

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Irrigation Engineering

Graduates in irrigation engineering work primarily in the following careers:

Irrigation system design, construction, and installation
Consulting and technical advising
Teaching and training
Research

Irrigation engineers also perform various projects, including:

Design farm irrigation and drainage systems
Design irrigation conveyance, distribution, and drainage systems
Manage the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems
Develop manuals on operation, design, and evaluation
Evaluate and analyze the performance of irrigation systems
Build irrigation and drainage systems
Design and build center pivots, linear moves, and other pressurized systems
On-farm irrigation system sales
Develop and apply flow measurement methods and devices
Develop automation techniques, devices, and systems
Develop and apply mathematical models
Develop and apply remote sensing technologies
Management transfer of irrigation projects to farmer organizations
Train farmers, technicians, engineers, and others working with irrigation systems
Teach irrigation engineering courses
Perform research in irrigation engineering
Agricultural extension
Provide guidance to environmental preservation efforts and water sharing
Manage fresh-water resources
Help develop irrigation development policies
Work on agricultural development projects

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Irrigation Engineering at Utah State University

How to Apply for Master of Irrigation Engineering at Utah State University

1. Visit Our Website

a. Go to gradschool.usu.edu/apply/ to start the application process.

b. Read all admissions requirements on our website.

c. Click on the “Apply Now” button to create an account to apply.

2. Fill Out Application

a. Fill out the following information:

i. Personal

ii. Demographic

iii. Misdemeanor/Felony information, if necessary

iv. Citizenship

v. Academic History

vi. Intended Program of Study Information

vii. NOTE: You cannot submit supplemental items until you have filled out all personal and demographic information, submitted the application, and paid the application fee.

b. Make sure to select the correct entry term (e.g., Spring 2022, Fall 2022, etc.)

c. Submit the application and pay the fee.

i. If you have a waiver code, use it in the discount code box to waive the fee.

3. Supplemental Items

a. Log back into the USU Recruit Application Portal.

b. Enter your application to submit items.

c. Required supplemental items may include, but are not limited to, the following (Please check with your intended program for specific details):

i. Transcripts

1. USU applicants do not need to send transcripts. We pull them from our system for you.

2. All other applicants, please send your official transcripts to the following address:

a. School of Graduate Studies

Utah State University

0900 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322-0900

b. Please note that in order to be considered official, the transcript must (1) be sent directly from the institution to Utah State University, or (2) be forwarded by the applicant with the transcript remaining in the original, unopened envelope from the institution.

ii. Letters of Recommendation

1. Fill out the recommendation request forms. Recommendations must come from referee, not from applicant, to be considered valid.

iii. Statement of Purpose

iv. Test Scores

1. GRE Scores

a. Send to school code 4857

2. MAT Scores

a. Send to school code 2273

3. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

d. International applicants must also include:

i. Proof of English language proficiency through one of the options below.

1.TOEFL Scores – 71 or higher

a. Send to school code 4857

2. IELTS Academic Scores – 6.0 or higher

a. Upload student copy to application, clearly showing TRF number.

b. Our test score processor will upload official scores.

3. Completion of at least 24 credits of post-secondary/university course work taught in the U.S. in English, excluding English as a second language courses. Courses must have been taken at an accredited college or university to be considered for direct admission.

4. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

ii. A certified English translation of any transcript originally penned in another language.

1. Due to COVID-19 constraints, Utah State University is temporarily accepting unofficial transcripts from international applicants. Upon admittance, students will be required to submit an official transcript before registering for classes.

iii. Proof of Financial Support

1. Affidavit of Financial Support

2. Bank Statement Copy

iv. Passport Copy

v. International applicants can direct any questions not related to the information above to the Office of Global Engagement.

Master of Irrigation Engineering at Utah State University

Utah State University

United States of America, Logan