Water is essential for life and virtually all human activities. Increasing economic activities and our standard of living requires a reliable source of clean water. Because of the importance of water supply, water resources has developed as an interdisciplinary study integrating the physical sciences of hydrology and meteorology with social sciences, ranging from law to economics. Geography provides an ideal forum for the study of water resources because geography integrates the physical and social sciences and has developed tools such as GIS and remote sensing that are essential for managing water.

The Water Resources Policy certificate provides a working knowledge of water resources in sufficient detail to qualify graduates for professional positions involving water resources management and policy. To the prospective employer, the certificate is a professional endorsement that the recipient has completed four university courses on issues fundamental to water resources management and policy. A formal certificate issued by Texas State University, the College of Liberal Arts and a statement on the recipient's Texas State University transcripts recognize successful completion of the program.

Students with an undergraduate degree should contact the Texas State Graduate College at 512.245.2581 or visit their website.  You may also download a graduate application.  The cost of a complete Graduate College master's application is $10 in U.S. currency along with a formal transcript of credits.  The department must approve the application before the student will be activated into the CATS registration system.  Once approved, the student can register through CATS providing the prerequisites have been met.

Students with NO undergraduate degree should contact the Texas State Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 512.245.2364 or visit their website
A. Special Student Options
(certificate-seeking student, non-degree status)

Option I. Completed college work with 2.25 GPA or higher

• undergraduate application: (Texas Common Application www.applytexas.org and select the non-degree special student option)
• complete an Undergraduate Admissions Special Student Form
• minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 in previous university work
• not on suspension, dismissal, or enforced withdrawal at another institute of higher learning
• not eligible for financial aid
• application for special student status must be made prior to registration, and student must reapply each semester. Initial application fee is $40 and each subsequent reapplication fee is $10. Reapplication must be made prior to registration; thus, it is recommended that the student reapply early in the semester to take advantage of advanced registration. Advance registration will provide a better selection of class lecture and lab times. Enrollment as an undergraduate special student is limited to the GIS courses and cannot exceed 24 credit hours
• must clear Texas Success Initiative Program (TSIP) status. The Texas State TSIP office is located in ASBN 101; phone 512.245.3942 and www.txstate.edu/tsip. If you have not been a Texas State student, your previous institution can provide your TSIP record
• approval must be granted by the director of admissions and the Department of Geography. Once approved, the student will be activated in the CATS registration system and may register for courses

Option II. Completed High School Diploma or GED and have not been enrolled in any secondary or post-secondary for the last three years.

Undergraduate Application: (Texas Common Application www.applytexas.org and select the non-degree special student option)

• $40 U.S. currency fee in any secondary or post-secondary institution for the last three years
• high school diploma or equivalent and not enrolled in any secondary or post-secondary institution for the last three years
• not be on suspension, dismissal, or enforced withdrawal at another institution of higher learning
• not eligible for financial aid
• application for special student status must be made prior to registration, and student must reapply each semester. Initial application fee is $40, and each subsequent reapplication fee is $10. Reapplication must be made prior to registration; thus, it is recommended that the student reapply early in the semester to take advantage of advance registration. Advance registration will provide better selection of class lecture and lab times. Enrollment as an undergraduate special student is limited to the GIS courses and cannot exceed 24 hours
• must clear TSIP status. The Texas State TSIP office is located in ASB101; phone 512.245.3942 and website: www.txstate.edu/tsip/. If you have not been a Texas State student, your previous institution can provide your TSIP record.
• approval must be granted by the director of admissions and Department of Geography. Once approved, the student will be activated in the CATS registration system and may register for courses.      

B. Student with no prior college experience who has completed high school less than three years ago (degree-seeking status)

• student is required to meet general admission requirements (Texas State undergraduate catalog 2006-2008, page 18) and must go through new-student orientation
• texas common application: (www.applytexas.org) for Freshman Admission including one essay and information on extracurricular activities, $40 application fee and all credentials by the required deadline
• submit high school transcript with class rank and SAT or ACT
• take the SAT I or ACT and have your test results sent directly to Texas State.
• complete the texas recommended high school program
• acceptance letter will be sent to the student. Once approved, the student will be activated in the CATS registration system and may register for courses

C. Current Texas State students - non-Geography major

• provide name and social security number to the academic advisor or call 512.245.0372.
• verify prerequisite requirements are completed.

Water Resources Policy Certificate Course Descriptions

1. GEO 3434 - Water Resources Management

This course covers the formation, use, conservation and management of water resources. Through the use of professional sources, students will develop a working knowledge of the hydrologic, water quality, legal, economic, political and social factors that determine water availability, hazards, use, demand and allocation.
Prerequisite: GEO 2410, Introduction to Physical Environment
Graduate Substitution: GEO 5334 Applied Water Resources Management

2. GEO 4313 - Environmental Management

This course provides an analysis of the causes of environmental problems, from local to global in scale, and the evaluation of attempts to manage and solve those problems. Emphasis is on the role that geography can play in environmental degradation and management.
Prerequisite: GEO 2410, Introduction to Physical Geography
Graduate Substitution: GEO 5313 Environmental Management

3. GEO 4314 - River Basin Management I (Spring Only)

The purpose of this course is to study principles and practices of large-scale river basin management. Emphasis is on integrated management of land and water resources, including economic development and environmental protection issues.
Prerequisite: GEO 2410, Introduction to Physical Geography
Graduate Substitution: GEO 5390 or GEO 5395 River Basin Management

4. GEO 4341 -  Water Policy (Spring Only)

This course covers the evolution of water policy from the awareness of issues, through the political and legal process, to the implementation of specific plans, programs, and facilities.
Prerequisite: GEO 3434 and 4313 with a grade of “C” or higher

• no grade lower than a C in any of the required Water Resources Policy courses
• minimum 2.5 overall GPA for the four required Water Resources Policy courses.

Complete Application for Certification Completion form. (PDF format -- download by clicking the link or picking up in ELA 130)

Students can receive credit for only two courses from other institutions.  This must be approved by the academic advisor.

Course equivalences must have the Water Resources Policy advisor approval.  Students will receive a Water Policy Resource Policy Certificate, and the completion of the certificate will be noted on the transcript.

PRIMARY CONTACT
Undergraduate Staff Administrator
512.245.0372
jl06@txstate.edu

Dr. Richard Earl
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
512.245.3204
re02@txstate.edu

Dr. James Kimmel
Professor
512.245.3201
jk3201@txstate.edu