We are dedicated to a greater understanding of Earth processes through research, service to the geosciences, and outreach to the general public and K-12 classrooms.

A land-grant institution founded in 1888, New Mexico State University is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution under Title III and Title V programs administered by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education. Ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as a Research University with high research activity, NMSU's research expenditures exceeded $133 million for FY13. In addition, according to the most recently available statistics from the National Science Foundation, NMSU ranks third in research expenditures by Hispanic Serving Institutions.

Our department offers a MS degree in Geological Sciences. Students are successful in getting jobs with oil companies and in environmental geology, and several have continued into Ph.D. programs at Universities such as Stanford, UCLA, Louisiana State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, the University of Oregon, and Purdue, among others.

NMSU is located in the southern part of the Rio Grande rift, which provides an ideal setting for a wide variety of geologic studies. World-class exposures are ideal for class field trips as well as local MS projects.