Freshwater Sciences, MS: Water Policy (Professional) MS
Become a freshwater expert capable of analyzing scientific and economic data to create water policy recommendations that solve complex problems and protect valuable water resources.
More than 95% of our students land well-paying jobs in their chosen field or begin a PhD program right out of school. Our job placement rate is high because faculty and staff work with students to explore freshwater careers, build a network and develop the professional skills that will help them land a job.
Required career development coursework helps you develop essential leadership skills and build real-world connections through practicum in water policy consulting, mock interviews, resume-building activities, elevator pitches and mentorships with industry leaders in water-related organizations. In addition, the School of Freshwater Sciences is home to the Center for Water Policy, which connects water policy experts from throughout UW System.
An internship with a water-related business, government or nonprofit organization gives you the experiences and connections to launch your career while you’re still in school.
Schedule a Graduate Program Information Session
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
On Campus
Become a Change Maker.
The School of Freshwater Sciences has longstanding connections to industry leaders, nonprofits, advocacy organizations and natural resources agencies who advise our program and actively hire our graduates. Here are some of the areas where our graduates succeed:
- environmental consulting
- public health
- resource management
- water policy and advocacy
- science communication and education
- community outreach
Advance Your Career with a Professional Science Master’s Focused on Water Policy
Whether you’re a full-time student, a working professional or somewhere in between, the professional science master’s degree will help you advance your career and become a change-maker. Students accepted to the program:
- Gain real-world skills through research opportunities and internships with companies in the private sector, nonprofit organizations and government agencies who are working on the Great Lakes, local beaches and urban waterways.
- Learn from faculty who are experts in water science, policy and economics.
- Build a network of professionals as passionate about protecting water as you are.
No GRE required for application. No thesis required for graduation.
You must meet Graduate School requirements in addition to the following to be considered for admission:
A bachelor’s degree in economics, environmental policy, political science, public policy, journalism/communications, biology, or other appropriate natural science, social science, or engineering discipline.
Applicant must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. All of an applicant’s undergraduate coursework completed before award of the first undergraduate degree is included in the GPA computation. For courses that were repeated for credit, each attempt is included.
Those whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 should contact Aaron Thiel, Graduate Program Manager, for guidance. Applicants may be considered for admission if they are able to provide evidence of their ability to succeed in graduate study.
All applicants, including UWM students, must upload an official or unofficial transcript into the Panthera admission application system for all work done at higher education/postsecondary institutions. All applicants who are admitted to the Graduate School will be required to submit an official transcript with the degree posted within two weeks of the beginning of their first semester of enrollment.
The reason statement is an essential part of the application. It is used to determine the appropriateness of your educational and professional goals and serves as an example of your ability to express yourself in writing. Your reason statement should include:
- your reasons for pursuing graduate study
- your specific background interests and background in the field
- any relevant skills or training you’ve acquired
- any academic awards or honors you have received
Submit a current resume that clearly articulates your professional experience.
Submit a scholarly writing sample that demonstrates critical thinking and writing skills.
Three letters of recommendation are required by persons who can attest to your scholarship and/or research potential and your success in graduate school at the School of Freshwater Sciences.
List relevant courses taken at previous institutions. Please include course number, course title, credits and final grade (example: BioSci 150, Foundations of Biological Sciences, 4 credit, A-). The following prerequisites are strongly recommended:
- at least one semester coursework in three of the following at the college level: chemistry, biological sciences, microeconomics, statistics, political science, and advanced algebra or calculus.
- one additional semester of statistics, microeconomics, geographic information system, chemistry, or biological sciences.
The minimum degree requirement for the MS Water Policy (Professional) track is 32 graduate credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| FRSHWTR 510G | Economics, Policy and Management of Water | 3 |
| FRSHWTR 585G or ATM SCI 500G | Applied Water Statistics and Data Manipulation 1 Statistical Methods in Atmospheric Science | 3 |
| FRSHWTR 781 | Water Law for Scientists and Policy Makers | 3 |
| FRSHWTR 810 | Professional Development for Water Leaders | 3 |
| FRSHWTR 890 | Science Communication | 3 |
| FRSHWTR 900 | Colloquium in Freshwater Sciences | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| FRSHWTR 471G | Introduction to Sensing Networks | |
| FRSHWTR 502G | Aquatic Ecosystem Dynamics | |
| FRSHWTR 504G | Quantitative Freshwater Analysis | |
| FRSHWTR 506G | Environmental Health of Freshwater Ecosystems | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Select 12 credits in consultation with the students major advisor | ||
| Graduate Internship | ||
| FRSHWTR 980 | Graduate Internship | 1 |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
All students in the professional science track are required to participate in an internship research experience, generally between the first and second years of the program. Internship experiences focus on complex regional, national, and global water problems and often involve authentic, practical problems in the field. The program coordinators provide resources and internship opportunities with industry, government, and non-profit organizations. It is the responsibility of the student and advisor to identify the internship and the direct supervisor within a specific organization and submit a proposal that identifies goals and objectives of the internship. Proposals will be reviewed and approved by the advisor. Alternatively, a group project may occur in lieu of an internship and should provide students with training and experience in performing professional-level work that involves managing group dynamics and applying technical expertise to solve complex, multidisciplinary water-related problems.
Graduates of our MS professional programs have high job placement rates. More than 95% of those tracked are working in a water-related job or enrolled in a PhD program.