*Note that this program is "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 Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) 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.
How to Apply
See the SWES Graduate Programs Application page for details on deadlines and application requirements.
Program Requirements
View the SWES Graduate Student Guide for details on program requirements.
Who to Contact
Samira H. Daroub, Distance Education Coordinator, sdaroub@ufl.edu
Michael J. Sisk, Academic Program Specialist, mjsisk@ufl.edu
Tuition/fee figures are projected estimates for 2025 - 2026 for graduate students entering UF for the first time. Tuition/fees for continuing students may be different.
About The Program
- Time to degree ranges from two to four years.
- Starting dates are Spring semester (January), Summer semester (May), or Fall semester (August).
- 30 credits for either thesis option or professional/non-thesis option (major paper required).
A limited number of UF graduate credits with grades of B or better taken as a non-degree or post-baccalaureate may be transferred into the program to meet degree requirements upon approval.
Note: Tracks are unofficial terms. No tracks appear in official lists in graduate catalog or on the student transcript.
Prerequisites
Students wishing to enroll in this graduate track should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university with a major in soil and water 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. Admission criteria include a "B" (3.0) grade point average or better for the last two years of the baccalaureate program. High speed internet access is mandatory.
For more information on the SWES program requirements, please see the SWESD Graduate Student Guide (PDF).
Career options
Many of our students are pursuing their M.S. degree online while working full- or part-time. Others come right from their undergraduate program. Whether in an existing job or looking for a new one, these are some of the positions our graduates have after completing their degree:
| Principal Planner, county government |
Owner, Home Inspection Co. |
Environmental Consultant |
| Science Teacher |
Senior Scientist,
Environmental Consulting |
Extension Agent |
| Environmental Attorney |
Research Scientist,
environmental remediation |
Environmental Specialist, state government |
Risk Assessor and Project Manager,
state government |
K-12 STEM Outreach Instructor,
private university |
Licensed Practical Nurse |
Business Development Manager,
land management company |
Owner, environmental consulting firm |
Environmental Health Specialist, county government |
| Natural Resource Specialist, federal government |
Environmental Consultant |
Adjunct Professor |
| Environmental Scientist |
Environmental Programs Administrator, county government |
Irrigation Consultant |
| Environmental Health District Director, state government |
Public Works Planning Manager, city government |
Water Quality Program Coordinator, public university |
| Senior Planner, county government |
Vice President,
environmental consulting firm |
Hydrologist, federal government |
