Online Education for Working Professionals
Apply hazard analysis and effective communication to lessen the impact of hazard events
on communities.
Add geophysical and social aspects to your hazard mitigation toolkit.
Learn causes and mitigation strategies for a range of natural hazards and their impacts on society. This interdisciplinary certificate introduces cultural complexities in dealing with geological hazards. Formulate hazard maps, warnings, and strategies for communication and planning. Explore electives in geoinformatics, volcanology, volcano seismology, or anthropology in international development. This certificate provides training to those with backgrounds in physical sciences, geosciences, social sciences, computational sciences, civil engineering, and environmental engineering. The average salary for geological engineering jobs is about $70,000 per year.
Photo by Jose Fredy Cruz Centeno.
3 courses in 3 semesters.
| Department | Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences |
|---|---|
| Admissions requirement | BS degree. |
| Contact | Luke Bowman |
| Length | 3 courses in 2-3 semesters |
|---|---|
| Effort | 3 hours per credit per week |
| Each course | 3 credits |
| Total credits | 9 |
| Course type | Online or on-campus |
| Modality | Watch class recordings on demand |
| Cost | Based on credits and course type |
| Already enrolled? | Speak with your advisor. |
Progress quickly with a compact curriculum.
Work with the program advisor to select courses that fit your interests and pre-requisite skills.
Take 6 credits of required courses.
Take a 3 credit elective course.
The minimum completion time is two semesters.
Here is a typical schedule.
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| GE 5150 SS 4120 |
GE 5660 GE 5180 GE 5195 GE 5515 |
Interested in taking a single, online course? Enroll as a non-degree seeking student.
Upon completion of the Certificate the student should be able to:
- Identify geophysical as well as sociocultural aspects pertaining to natural geological hazards.
- Compose a complete hazard mitigation plan that includes appropriate physical hazards and social vulnerabilities/risks that pertain to real settings and demonstrate the sharing of the plan to various stakeholders appropriate to the chosen settings.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using computational tools commonly used for hazard mapping.
Michigan Tech was founded in 1885.
The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and widely respected by fast-paced industries, including automotive development, infrastructure, manufacturing, and aerospace. Michigan Tech graduates deliver on rapid innovation and front-line research, leaning into any challenge with confidence.
The College of Engineering fosters excellence in education and research.
We set out as the Michigan Mining School in 1885 to train mining engineers to better operate copper mines. Today, more than 60 percent of Michigan Tech students are enrolled in our 17 undergraduate and 29 graduate engineering programs across nine departments. Our students and curriculum embrace the spirit of hard work and fortitude our founders once had. Our online graduate courses are the same, robust classes taken by our doctorate and masters candidates, taught directly by highly regarded faculty, with outstanding support from staff. We invite working professionals to join these courses, bring their own experience and challenges as part of the discussion. Leverage the national reputation of Michigan Tech to advance your career in tech leadership.
Meet the online certified instructors.
Students have the flexibility to review class recordings later.
Luke Bowman
Assistant Teaching Professor Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
Teaching Statement
Dr. Waite teaches on topics of natural hazards, earthquake seismology, and time analysis in geosciences.