Skip navigation links

Watershed Management

Certificate

Online

Course Delivery

7

Courses

$100 per course

Tuition

2 weeks per class

Minimum Duration


Program Overview

Watershed management requires an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. Law, policy, community planning and development, stakeholder involvement and resource economics contribute as much to solutions as engineering, biology, hydrology and chemistry. To meet this challenge the Michigan Water Environment Association and the Institute of Water Research (IWR) at Michigan State University have teamed up and developed an interdisciplinary educational program that offers professionals and advanced students with responsibilities or interests in watershed management a unique opportunity to acquire certification online. Those that will find these courses beneficial include Consultants; Policy Makers; Civil and Environmental Engineers; Instructors and Researchers at Universities; Landscape Engineers and Architects; Public Works Personnel; Regulatory Staff; Scientists; and Advanced Degree Students.

Program Outcomes

Benefits from taking this online course include having a better understanding of the interdisciplinary approach to watershed management. Participants and students completing all seven modules will be awarded a certificate in watershed management from the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA). They will also receive a complimentary one-year MWEA Membership. The MWEA represents more than 2,000 water quality professionals statewide who are dedicated to preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources. The MWEA brings together a diverse group of individuals whose careers involve the water environment and who have similar objectives from a variety of backgrounds. MWEA provides a forum for all water environment topics.

Career Outlook

 

Those taking the set of courses will be well informed on watershed management and have a better understanding of the complexity and multi-disciplinary nature of the subject. They will have earned a certificate in Watershed Management from a well-established environmental organization and will be better positioned to compete for positions that take a watershed management approach to solving real-world problems.

A Top-Ranked Education

  • 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
  • 123rd Global University —  U.S. News & World Report, 2024

 

Headshot of Throckmorton

Liz Throckmorton 

Course Administrator, Institute of Water Research

Course Information

 

The seven online courses offered are:

  1. Basics of Hydrology
  2. Addressing Water Quality
  3. Socioeconomic Considerations, Institutions & Management Issues
  4. Developing & Implement Watershed Management Plans
  5. Tools & Modeling for Watershed Management
  6. Understanding Soil Erosion & Sediment and Pollution
  7. Historical & Legal Issues of Watershed Management

An additional course on Best Management Practices for Drains and Water Resources Maintenance is also available.

This program is not offered for university transcript-able credit, but is offered for certification. There are 7 modules that must be completed to receive Watershed Certification from the Michigan Water Environment Association.

Open Enrollment

 

To participate in this program: 

Online courses are designed to be flexible to accommodate personal schedules. In general each course should be completed within two to three weeks. Participants are expected to complete the entire program within 24 months. Courses need not be taken sequentially and can be taken simultaneously.

Each course is offered entirely on line and can be accessed 24/7. Each course cost: $100 each.

Register Here 

Tuition & Fees

  

 In-State Tuition  Out-of-State Tuition  Flat Fees
 $100 per course $100 per course $30 initial one-time fee 

 

Cost of Attendance


The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.

Program Overview

Watershed management requires an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. Law, policy, community planning and development, stakeholder involvement and resource economics contribute as much to solutions as engineering, biology, hydrology and chemistry. To meet this challenge the Michigan Water Environment Association and the Institute of Water Research (IWR) at Michigan State University have teamed up and developed an interdisciplinary educational program that offers professionals and advanced students with responsibilities or interests in watershed management a unique opportunity to acquire certification online. Those that will find these courses beneficial include Consultants; Policy Makers; Civil and Environmental Engineers; Instructors and Researchers at Universities; Landscape Engineers and Architects; Public Works Personnel; Regulatory Staff; Scientists; and Advanced Degree Students.

Program Outcomes

Benefits from taking this online course include having a better understanding of the interdisciplinary approach to watershed management. Participants and students completing all seven modules will be awarded a certificate in watershed management from the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA). They will also receive a complimentary one-year MWEA Membership. The MWEA represents more than 2,000 water quality professionals statewide who are dedicated to preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources. The MWEA brings together a diverse group of individuals whose careers involve the water environment and who have similar objectives from a variety of backgrounds. MWEA provides a forum for all water environment topics.

Career Outlook

 

Those taking the set of courses will be well informed on watershed management and have a better understanding of the complexity and multi-disciplinary nature of the subject. They will have earned a certificate in Watershed Management from a well-established environmental organization and will be better positioned to compete for positions that take a watershed management approach to solving real-world problems.

A Top-Ranked Education

  • 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
  • 123rd Global University —  U.S. News & World Report, 2024

 

Headshot of Throckmorton

Liz Throckmorton 

Course Administrator, Institute of Water Research

Course Information

 

The seven online courses offered are:

  1. Basics of Hydrology
  2. Addressing Water Quality
  3. Socioeconomic Considerations, Institutions & Management Issues
  4. Developing & Implement Watershed Management Plans
  5. Tools & Modeling for Watershed Management
  6. Understanding Soil Erosion & Sediment and Pollution
  7. Historical & Legal Issues of Watershed Management

An additional course on Best Management Practices for Drains and Water Resources Maintenance is also available.

This program is not offered for university transcript-able credit, but is offered for certification. There are 7 modules that must be completed to receive Watershed Certification from the Michigan Water Environment Association.

Open Enrollment

 

To participate in this program: 

Online courses are designed to be flexible to accommodate personal schedules. In general each course should be completed within two to three weeks. Participants are expected to complete the entire program within 24 months. Courses need not be taken sequentially and can be taken simultaneously.

Each course is offered entirely on line and can be accessed 24/7. Each course cost: $100 each.

Register Here 

Tuition & Fees

  

 In-State Tuition  Out-of-State Tuition  Flat Fees
 $100 per course $100 per course $30 initial one-time fee 

 

Cost of Attendance


The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.

The MSU Value Promise

You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.

MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.

MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.


Next Steps