Professional Master

Candidates for the Professional Master Degree must possess an appropriate geosciences undergraduate degree or its equivalent. Prerequisites are the same as those required for the Master of Science (Geology) Degree.

GGE Graduate Programs has information about the Graduate Application Process and Graduate Application Fee Waivers.

Professional Master's in Mineral Exploration

This non-thesis master’s degree program is designed for working professionals who want to increase their knowledge and skills, while gaining a thorough up-date of advances across the spectrum of economic geology, mineral exploration techniques, and mining geosciences. Admission to the program is competitive. Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum of two years of industrial or equivalent experience.

The program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, and no research is required. A minimum of 15 credit hours must be accumulated in five of the following core areas:

  • mineral deposits,
  • mineral exploration,
  • applied geophysics,
  • applied geochemistry,
  • applied structural geology,
  • petrology,
  • field geology,
  • and economic evaluation.

An additional 15 credit hours may be selected from the course offerings of the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering and allied departments including Mining Engineering, Economics and Business, Geophysics, Chemistry and Geochemistry, Metallurgy and Materials Science, and Environmental Sciences.

Selection of courses will be undertaken in consultation with the academic advisor. Up to 9 credit hours may be at the 400-level. All other credits towards the degree must be 500-level or above. A maximum of 9 credit hours may be independent study focusing on a topic relevant to the mineral exploration and mining industries.

Two new Graduate Certificates in Mineral Exploration (each certificate is 12.0 credits) are now offered for working professionals who want to increase their knowledge and skills, while gaining a thorough up-date of advances across the spectrum of economic geology, mineral exploration techniques and mining geosciences. The new Certificates in Exploration Methods and in Economic Geology represent attractive opportunities for working professionals to complete a Graduate Program in a short time (expected 2 semesters for completion in part-time mode and 1 semester as full-time student) and boost their careers. Courses are delivered in block mode (often 1- and 2-week modules), which allows working professionals to attend as part-time students. Furthermore, two certificates can be used towards a Professional Master’s degree in Mineral Exploration, which will allow part-time students to stack their education. Full-time enrolled students are expected to follow the Professional Master in Mineral Exploration which can be completed in 1 – 1.5 years (~3 semesters).

Center of Mineral Resources Science

PMMineralExplorationBrochure

Contact email: mineralexploration@mines.edu

Documents and Forms

A number of important forms can be accessed in interactive form at the Office of Graduate Studies website. Several forms (e.g., Admission to Candidacy form) must be filled out at that website and printed for signatures and submittal. The Graduation Application form should be completed and submitted online.

Following are the Thesis Committee Step-by-Step Guide for Graduation Commencement for May 2023 and December 2023.

Field Trip Forms (Three)