Bachelor's in Geological Engineering Degree Online & On Campus

Why earn a Geological Engineering degree?

Application Deadlines

Fall:: Aug. 15
Spring:: Dec. 15
Summer:: May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Geological engineering is a hybrid field. It applies geology to engineering problems and engineering to geological problems. The field is broad and diverse. Geological engineers work with engineers and scientists of many sorts. But, overall, all geological engineers are focused on the safe use of natural resources and protecting people and property from harm caused by geological forces. Geological engineering is a hybrid field. It involves applying geology to engineering problems and engineering to geological problems. The field is broad and diverse, and geological engineers work with engineers and scientists of many sorts. Geological engineers are focused on the safe production and use of natural resources, on building and construction projects of many sorts, and on protecting people, property, and the environment from harm caused by human or natural forces.

Geological Engineering Program Specializations

Besides a comprehensive and high-quality program, we offer four unique opportunities for undergraduate geological engineering students who choose to specialize:

A petroleum concentration includes coursework designed to prepare students for employment in the petroleum industry while they complete their B.S. in Geological Engineering.
A geotechnical concentration prepares students for a career in goetechnical engineering after they complete their bachelor's degree in Geological Engineering.
A water resources concentration provides a strong background in hydrogeology, water resource production, groundwater contamination and remediation, and water quality and lab analyses.
A combined program allows students to earn a master's degree in addition to a bachelor's at an accelerated pace.

ABET Accredited Program

This bachelor's degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Accreditation is a critical factor to consider if you plan to pursue a license as a Professional Engineer.

On-Campus or Online Geological Engineering Degree

Satisfy the eligibility requirement to sit for the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, passing the FE exam is required as the first step to pursue a license as a Professional Engineer in all 50 states.
Gain access to the Wilson M. Laird Core and Sample Library, a vast resource containing 40,000 cores from nearly every oil well drilled in North Dakota.
The F.D. Holland Jr. Geology Library is one of the largest geoscience libraries in the upper Midwest.
Generous scholarship support available and excellent instructors with a wide range of backgrounds.
Smallest class sizes of any engineering discipline at UND.
This flexible online degree allows students to continue to work and keep up with personal obligations.

What can I do with a Geological Engineering degree?

101k

Median annual salary for mining and geological engineers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Graduates of UND's geological engineering program play critical roles in many industries, including mining, energy exploration, education and more. Geological engineers are in demand in careers such as:

Environmental engineering
Geological engineering
Petroleum geologist
Hydrogeology
Remote sensing/GIS
Mining
Mapping and surveying
Teaching

Geological Engineering Major Skills

A Geological Engineering degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

Geology
Geographic Information Systems
Geotechnical Engineering
Soil Science
Geologic Mapping
ArcGIS (GIS Software)

Geological Engineering alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

American Engineering Test, Inc.
Barr Engineering Co.
Center for Energy and Environment
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Archaeological Research, Inc.
BJ Services Company

Geological Engineering Degree Courses

Best Online Geological Engineering Bachelor's Programs

#4 Bachelors Degree Center
#7 Value Colleges
#10 College Values Online

UND is regarded as one of the top academic and research institutions in the nation for online engineering education. Our Geological Engineering program consistently ranks among the best for educational quality, affordability and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
Employment rate and graduate salary

Online Geological Engineering Degree

1#

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

160+

online programs

UND is one of the most affordable online engineering colleges in the region. For this program, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare the online Geological Engineering degree cost and you’ll see UND is lower tuition than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Flexible Online Geological Engineering Classes

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

Lesson modules
Streaming video content
Virtual libraries
Posted lectures
Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Campus Visit

While the majority of your courses are offered online, you’ll come to campus to complete portions of the program. Here, you’ll extend and apply the knowledge you’ve learned online through hands-on activities. Our students find tremendous value in having the opportunity to personally interact with their instructors and fellow students.

SUMMER LAB REQUIREMENTS

Engineering Club for Online Students

The Society of Distance Engineering Students is a club for online engineering students. You'll have the chance to meet and work with students who study online and those who attend classes on UND's campus. Even though you might be far apart, you can still study and work together easily.

Top-Tier Geological Engineering Degree Online

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

Affordability
Student satisfaction (retention rate)
Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

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Yes, the undergraduate Geological Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Accreditation makes our program invaluable for candidates aspiring to obtain a Professional Engineer license. All UND programs are also fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

A typical expectation is about 3 hours of work per credit, so about 8 or 9 hours per 3 credit class. Most classes will have a few hours of lecture each week and then students must be motivated to study and practice the concepts outside of class.

The 128 credit hours required for completing our Geological Engineering degree program, online or on campus, are expected to take approximately four years for a full time student.

Yes, our students have the flexibility to change the modality of their program from an online to an on campus format. Some students have decided they prefer an in person experience and moved to campus, while vice versa some students find that the online format works better for them.

Yes, there are many scholarships available to all students, with many alumni sponsored scholarships specifically for each discipline. In geological engineering, a famous benefactor in the oil and gas business Harold Hamm has made many scholarships available. Most scholarships are awarded based on GPA, meeting a minimum course load, or other various criteria depending on the requests of the donor.

Leaders in Engineering

Helping you fulfill your aspirations is our highest priority. We'll work with you to design a custom educational plan that meets your goals.