The programs can be completed entirely online and are available to on-campus students as well. The distance learning delivery mode allows students in remote locations to complete course assignments and communicate with faculty and other students anywhere and in their own time. The program maintains the high academic standards of the University of Florida.

The certificate programs are designed for scientists, extension agents, consultants, and others for professional development and continued education. Individuals working in, or interested in learning more about, soil and water resource management can become certified in a body of knowledge in these specializations without formally pursuing graduate degrees if they so desire. These certificate programs are not to be confused with certification programs. The certificates are awarded by the University of Florida and designated on the student's UF transcript.

*Note that these programs are "self-supporting". Per Florida Board of Governor Regulations 8.002, the term "self-supporting" describes a budgetary model and does not impact student financial aid eligibility. https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/8.002_Self-supporting_Market_Tuition_Rate_Program_and_Course_Offerings_05-10-23.pdf.

The Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) Department will continue to accept state agency employee (or UF EEP) tuition waiver for our online courses/programs, providing your agency's human resources department (or UF HR department) approves.  Enrollment is not guaranteed, but you will be contacted promptly if there are any problems with your submission.  Please note, some of our SWES DE graduate-level courses do have a distance learning fee (posted in schedule of courses) that the tuition waiver will not cover. Be sure to read about the program and process here: http://registrar.ufl.edu/registration/employee-education.html. 

Policy: UF Graduate Council Graduate Certificate Programs Policy

About the Programs

Each certificate includes a total of 12 semester hours of required core courses and elective courses. In addition to the course requirements for the graduate certificate program, the student must pass a competency exam that is based on the core courses completed (and does not impact GPA).

See individual Certificate Program details and their core and elective requirements, including course syllabi and descriptions, below. Note that course offerings in specific semesters may be subject to change.

Certificate Program Course Requirements

• Fertilizer Science and Technology

  This certificate program will provide students with a knowledge of soil nutrient interactions, irrigation effects of nutrient leaching, improved interpretation of soil test-based fertilizer recommendations, and technology-based fertilizer formulations to reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture. Program Brochure

  Core Courses Required

  SWS 5115 – Environmental Nutrient Management - 3 credits, offered every fall online

  SWS 6136 – Soil Nutrient Diagnostics for Ag Production - 3 credits, offered every summer online

  SWS 6117 - Fertilizer Technology, Production, and Use - 3 Credits, offered every spring online

  Elective Courses (Choose One)

  SWS 5234 Environmental Soil, Water, and Land Use - 3 Credits, offered every fall on-campus and online

  SWS 6134 Soil Quality - 3 Credits, offered fall even years online

  AGR 6422C Environmental Crop Nutrition - 3 credits, offered every fall online

  HOS 6412 Nutrition of Horticultural Crops - 3 credits, offered every spring online

  Apply For: Fertilizer Science and Technology Certificate

  Contact:

  For questions about the Fertilizer Science and Technology certificate program, contact Dr. Kelly Morgan (conserv@ufl.edu, 352-294-3157).

• Soil Ecosystem Services

  The functions performed by ecosystems that ensure natural cycles (e.g. water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen), processes and energy flows continue to provide an environment that supports life, including human life. Learn about valuation of services provided by soils and ecosystems from local to global scales and sustainable land resource management. This certificate program integrates the assessment of biogeochemical properties across complex soil-landscapes as well as socio-economic and cultural values.

  Core Courses Required (Choose Two - Six Credits)

  SWS 5050 Soils for Environmental Professionals, 3 credits, letter graded, offered every fall and spring

  SWS 5224 Environmental Biogeochemistry, 3 credits, letter graded, offered spring of odd years

  SWS 5234 Environmental Soil, Water, and Land Use, 3 credits, letter graded, offered every fall

  Elective Courses (Choose Two - Six Credits)

  AGG 6503 Nanotechnology in Food, Agriculture, and Environment, 3 credits, letter graded, offered every spring

  SWS 5305C Soil Microbial Ecology, 3 credits, letter graded, offered every fall

  SWS 5551 Soils, Water, and Public Health, 3 credits, letter graded, offered every spring

  SWS 5721C GIS in Land Resource Management, 3 credits, letter graded, offered every fall

  SWS 6134 Soil Quality, 3 credits, letter graded, offered in the fall of even years

  SWS 6932 Ecosystem Services: Theory, Methods, and Practice, 3 credits, letter graded, offered every fall

  Apply For: Soil Ecosystem Services Certificate

  Contact:

  For questions about the Soil Ecosystem Services certificate program, contact Dr. Sarah Strauss (strauss@ufl.edu, (239) 658-3468).

• Soil, Water, and Public Health

  Soil and water quality are critically linked to the health of both ecosystems and human populations. Learn the various ways that soils, water, and public health interact, and how those interactions can be predicted, quantified, and controlled.

  Core Courses Required

  PHC 6313 Environmental Health Concepts in Public Health, 3 credits, offered in the fall on-campus, every spring and even year summer C-Semester online*

  SWS 5308 Ecology of Waterborne Pathogens, 3 credits, offered in the spring on-campus and online

  SWS 5551 Soils, Water, and Public Health, 3 credits, offered in the spring on-campus and online

  Elective Courses (Choose One)

  PHC 6052 Introduction to Biostatistical Methods, 3 credits, offered in the fall*

  SWS 6366 Biodegradation and Bioremediation, 3 credits, offered in the spring even years on-campus and online

  SWS 6992 Aquatic Toxicology, 3 credits, offered in the spring odd years on-campus and online

  *Note: For PHC Graduate-Level DE Courses, PHHP Controls The Tuition and Fee For These Courses, Contact Them Directly For Further Information On Tuition And Fees They Assess*

  Apply For: Soil, Water, and Public Health Certificate

  Contact:

  For questions about the Soil, Water, and Public Health graduate certificate program, contact Dr. Julie Meyer (juliemeyer@ufl.edu, 352-294-3138).

• Sustainable Agroecosystems

  The courses included in this certificate program, offered in collaboration with the Agronomy Department, are intended to provide the student with a diverse, interdisciplinary background that emphasizes sustainability, resource management, valuation of ecosystem services, system productivity, and profitability. See the Agroecology at UF website for more information.

  Core Courses Required

  ALS 5155 Global Agroecosystems, 3 credits, offered in the fall

  AGR 5444 Ecophysiology of Crop Production, 3 credits, offered in the spring

  SWS 5050 Soils for Environmental Professionals, 3 credits, offered in the fall and spring

  Elective Courses (Choose One)

  AGR 5511 Crop Ecology, 3 credits, offered in the fall

  AGR 6422C Environmental Crop Nutrition, 3 credits, offered in the fall

  PLS 5632C Integrated Weed Management, 3 credits, offered in the fall

  SWS 5208 Sustainable Agricultural and Urban Land Management, 3 credits, offered in the fall

  SWS 5246 Water Resource Sustainability, 3 credits, offered in the spring of odd years

  Apply For: Sustainable Agroecosystems Certificate

  Contact:

  For questions about the Sustainable Agroecosystems certificate program, contact Dr. Rose Koenig (rlkoenig@ufl.edu, 352-273-3495).

• Sustainable Land Resource and Nutrient Management

  Soils perform various functions including (i) food and biomass production, (ii) environmental interaction (storage, filtering, and transformation of nutrients and contaminants), (iii) serving as biological habitat, and more. To manage this critical zone minimizing adverse impacts on the environment while optimizing production and services requires knowledge of sustainable land resources and nutrient management.

  Core Courses Required

  SWS 5050 Soils for Environmental Professionals, 3 credits, offered in the fall and spring

  SWS 5234 Environmental Soil, Water, and Land Use, 3 credits, offered in the fall

  Elective Courses (Choose Two)

  SWS 5115 Environmental Nutrient Management, 3 credits, offered in the fall online

  SWS 5208 Sustainable Agricultural and Urban Land Management, 3 credits, offered in the fall

  SWS 5551 Soils, Water and Public Health, 3 credits, offered in the spring

  SWS 5605C Environmental Soil Physics, 3 credits, offered in the spring

  SWS 5716C Environmental Pedology, 4 credits, offered in the spring

  SWS 6134 Soil Quality, 3 credits, offered in the fall of even years

  Apply For: Sustainable Land Resource and Nutrient Management Certificate

   

  Contact:

  For questions about the Sustainable Land Resource and Nutrient Management certificate program, contact Dr. Allan Bacon (allan.bacon@ufl.edu, 352-294-3119).

• Wetland and Water Resource Management

  Water is critical to sustain life, agricultural production and preservation of natural ecosystems such as wetlands. Understanding the hydrologic cycle, soil-water interactions, and how anthropogenic activities influence water balance and quality is essential for sustainable water resource management. Wetland management generally involves activities that can be conducted within, and around wetlands, both natural and man-made (constructed), to protect, restore, manipulate, or provide for their functions and values. To reduce wetland losses, improve and preserve soil and water quality of wetlands requires knowledge on wetland biogeochemistry. Assessment of ecological indicators is critical to optimize management of wetland ecosystems.

  Core Courses Required

  SWS 5050 Soils for Environmental Professionals, 3 credits, offered in the fall and spring

  SWS 5248 Wetlands and Water Quality, 3 credits,  offered in the fall

  Elective Courses (Choose Two to Three, 6 Credits Required)

  SWS 5247 Hydric Soils, 2 credits, offered in the as a hybrid course in the spring

  SWS 5716C Environmental Pedology, 4 credits, offered in the spring

  SWS 6134 Soil Quality, 3 credits, offered in the fall of even years

  SWS 6448 Biogeochemistry of Wetlands and Aquatic Systems, 3 credits, offered in the fall

  SWS 6932 Wetlands and Watershed Seminars, 1 credit, offered in the fall and spring

  Apply For: Wetland & Water Resource Management Certificate

  Contact:

  For questions about the Wetland and Water Resource Management certificate program, contact Dr. Mark Clark (clarkmw@ufl.edu, 352-294-3115).

Eligibility

Applicants must have earned a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. Students wishing to enroll in one of these graduate certificate programs should have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in soil, water and ecosystem sciences or an equivalent degree in an allied field such as geology, natural resources, biology, ecology, hydrology, microbiology, environmental science, horticultural science, environmental engineering, agricultural engineering or agronomy.  If your bachelor's degree is not in soil and water science or you don't have an equivalent degree in an allied field, you will generally have to complete pre-requisite courses (Chemistry 1 with Lab, Chemistry 2 with Lab, Biology 1 with Lab, and Biology 2 with Lab) at a local institution before applying for admission to the program. It is not necessary to be admitted to the Graduate School to earn a certificate, but students who later enroll in a graduate program may petition to transfer up to 15 UF graduate-level credit hours (grade B or better) to their graduate degree program. To qualify for a certificate, students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better for the entire program. A grade of C in one course only will be accepted, providing the overall 3.0 average is maintained. No grade below C will be accepted.

Tuition & Fees: 2024 - 2025

Tuition/fee figures are projected estimates for 2024 - 2025 for graduate students entering UF for the first time.  Tuition/fees for continuing students may be different.

Enrollment

Important Note: Enrollment is restricted to one graduate certificate program offered in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences. Requests for enrollment in more than one graduate certificate program offered in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences will not be approved.

Apply at least 1 month before the semester begins, see academic calendar for dates/deadlines. 

Submit the online application and pay the $30 application fee for the graduate certificate program you are interested in joining, at least one month prior to the semester beginning.  In the certificate application process, the Office of Admissions must complete the following review before your application is referred to your department:

• Determination of satisfactory conduct record
• Application fee payment of $30
• Validation of transcripts and degrees
• Verification of residency classification

You are required to send an official transcript to the UF Office of Admissions as soon as possible after applying:

UF Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
P.O. Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000

Prerequisites and Computer Requirements

Prior to enrolling in any course, the student must ensure that either the prerequisites for the course, if any, have been met, or he or she must obtain approval from the course instructor to waive the requirement. Students must have a computer with access to the internet and a UF Gatorlink account. High-speed connections to the internet are a prerequisite.

• Technology Recommendations

  The technology checklist provides recommendations for students enrolled in distance education graduate programs. It is the responsibility of the student to have access to a personal computer (or laptop) and to the Internet and to maintain the functionality of peripherals (e.g. webcam and audio system) to successfully participate in distance education courses offered by the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences.

  • Personal computer or laptop with sufficient hard drive space to store course materials (see http://ufonline.ufl.edu/resources/computer-requirements/ for hardware recommendations).
  • Operating system: Windows 7 or higher recommended. If Mac OS X is used, version 10.7 or higher is recommended. Windows can also be installed on late-model Mac computers, either on a separate partition of the hard drive or in a virtual machine (but requires up to 60 GB of hard drive space).
  • Software:
    • An office software suite (UF provides Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus free to students through GatorCloud
    • PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat
    • A media player such as VLC Media Player (recommended), Windows Media Player, iTunes
    • A web browser (Chrome or Firefox is recommended for most uses of eLearning in Canvas)
    • Antivirus software
  • High-speed internet access (e.g. fiber, broadband, cable modem)
  • Video card capable of displaying web-based video content
  • Webcam
  • External microphone and speakers or headphones with microphone (headset with built-in microphone is recommended for chat sessions)

Requesting the Certificate Designation During the Final Semester

At the beginning of the semester in which you are taking your last course or courses in the graduate certificate program, please visit ONE.UF and apply for the graduate certificate  in order to have the designation of completion of the certificate placed on your UF transcript.

Contact

For more information about a certificate program, see the contact listed under the program description. For assistance or questions with the application process, registration process, etc, please contact the Academic Support – Graduate Programs, Michael Sisk, by email (mjsisk@ufl.edu) or phone (352-294-3152).