To achieve the Master of Science (M.S.) degree, students may elect the non-thesis option, based exclusively upon coursework and a project report, or the thesis option. The thesis option is comprised of coursework in combination with individual laboratory, modeling and/or field research performed under the guidance of a faculty advisor and presented in a written thesis approved by the student’s committee.

• M.S. Non-Thesis Option: 36 total credit hours, consisting of coursework (30 hours), and Independent Study (six hours) working on a research project with HSE faculty.
• M.S. Thesis Option: 30 total credit hours, consisting of coursework (24 hours), and research (six hours). Students must also write and orally defend a research thesis.

HSE also offers a combined baccalaureate/masters degree program in which CSM students obtain an undergraduate degree as well as a Thesis or Non-thesis M.S. in Hydrology. In the Combined DegreeProgram as many as six credit hours may be counted towards the B.S. and M.S. non-thesis degree requirements.