Top Masters Programs in Geophysics and Seismology

Graduate degree in Geophysics and Seismology is offered by 22 American universities. This is a STEM-designated Graduate program that offers students a unique approach to teaching and learning. University of California-Los Angeles is having the highest number of enrollment for Geophysics and Seismology graduate program.

Stanford University logo
Ranked as:  #3 in Best National University
Tuition:  $55,011 per year
Total Cost:  $110,022 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  California
Acceptance:  5.19%

Geophysicists study Earth processes through laboratory experiments, computational and theoretical modeling, remote imaging, and direct observation. At Stanford, our research has both fundamental and strategic elements. Students benefit from this breadth of exposure and are sought after for careers in academia, industry, and government. Using high precision imaging and data analysis, our teaching and research focus on earthquakes, volcanoes, environmental hazards, energy, freshwater resources, and Earth's structure and geodynamics.

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Geophysics

  • GRE Required:  Yes
  • Research Assistantships:  2280
  • Teaching Assistantships:  1007
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Johns Hopkins University logo
Ranked as:  #7 in Best National University
Tuition:  $59,425 per year
Total Cost:  $118,850 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Maryland
Acceptance:  11.06%

Our Geophysics courses are aimed at students with a particular interest in physics and maths. Geophysicists use maths, physics and computer modelling to understand how the world works. The modular nature of the course enables you to gain a solid understanding of geosciences while tailoring your study programme to suit your interests. As the course progresses, you will be able to choose modules from specialist areas such as: surface processes, marine geophysics, volcanism, tectonics and geophysical techniques.

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MSci Geophysics

  • GRE Required:  Yes
  • Research Assistantships:  2378
  • Teaching Assistantships:  304
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University of California-Los Angeles logo
Ranked as:  #20 in Best National University
Tuition:  $28,131 per year
Total Cost:  $56,262 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  California
Acceptance:  14.33%

The Geophysics and Space Physics program offers study in Earth interior (seismology, gravity, thermal regime, geomagnetism, tectonics), geophysical fluid dynamics (turbulence, rotating systems, stability, hydromagnetism), n ar dynamics, planetology (orbital dynamics, planetary interiors, surfaces and atmospheres, solar-system origin), and space physics (magnetosphere, radiation belts, solar wind, magnetic fields, cosmic rays).

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Graduate Studies in Geophysics and Space Physics

  • GRE Required:  Yes
  • Research Assistantships:  1599
  • Teaching Assistantships:  2735
  • Financial Aid: Register to view the details
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61 universities offer the Master's program in Geophysics and Seismology.

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University of California-San Diego logo
Ranked as:  #34 in Best National University
Tuition:  $28,631 per year
Total Cost:  $57,262 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  California
Acceptance:  36.61%

San Diego State University and the University of California San Diego are accepting applications for the Joint Doctoral Program in Geophysics. The SDSU/UCSD Joint Program provides full access to the Geophysics curriculum of UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, with additional specialized courses and research opportunities offered by SDSU faculty. Successful candidates must meet doctoral admissions requirements of both universities.

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Scripps Institution of Oceanography

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The University of Texas at Austin logo
Ranked as:  #38 in Best National University
Tuition:  $22,886 per year
Total Cost:  $45,772 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Texas
Acceptance:  31.95%

Alumni Spotlights Audrey Pfeil Steve Weiner Taylor Childers Tim Shin Mary Hingst Jen Harold Jane Hornsby Alessandra Millican Julio Leva Lopez, PhD Sean Avitt, GIT Gerald Ebanks Sean Porse Alex Lamb.

Industry Career Search Oil, Gas, and Mining Industry Environmental Science Hydrogeology Industry Energy Earth Resources Industry Government Careers Academics and Postdoctoral Research.

Student Research Internships Shell Geophysics Internships for Summer 2021.

Career Resources For JSG Students Job Internship Opportunities Industry Career Search Oil, Gas, and Mining Industry Environmental Science Hydrogeology Industry Energy Earth Resources Industry Government Careers Academics and Postdoctoral Research Student Research Internships Shell Geophysics Internships for Summer 2021 Professional Organizations.

You must complete your application online: Shell 2021 Geophysics Internships.

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Shell Geophysics Internships for Summer 2021 - Jackson School of Geosciences

  • GRE Required:  Register to view the details
  • Research Assistantships:  Register to view the details
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Purdue University-Main Campus logo
Ranked as:  #51 in Best National University
Tuition:  $28,794 per year
Total Cost:  $57,588 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Indiana
Acceptance:  67.15%

Our geophysics faculty and students quantify the forces that currently shape the surface of our planet, from plate tectonics to mountain building, and the strength of the crust and mantle, from cold rocks that break as earthquakes to warm rocks that flow.

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Geology and Geophysics

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University of Washington-Seattle Campus logo
Ranked as:  #55 in Best National University
Tuition:  $30,294 per year
Total Cost:  $60,588 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Washington
Acceptance:  55.86%

Geosciences are key to addressing critical issues of our time: natural hazards, land and resource management,the impacts of climate change. The Masters in Earth and Space Sciences, Applied Geosciences (MESSAGe) is designed for students who are ready to make an impact and wish to have a lead role in geology, geomorphology, environmental geology or engineering geology.

The mission of the Department of Earth and Space Sciences is to further the understanding of Earth, the solar system, and their histories. Get a MS or PhD examining Earth's interior structure, chemistry, motion, and dynamics; geologic hazards; processes affecting the surface environment; the surrounding space environment; planetary processes; and geobiology.

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Earth and Space Sciences

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Texas A & M University-College Station logo
Ranked as:  #67 in Best National University
Tuition:  $22,743 per year
Total Cost:  $45,486 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Texas
Acceptance:  63.27%

Work leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geology is designed to give the candidate a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of his or her professional field and training in methods of research. The final basis for granting the degree shall be the candidate’s grasp of the subject matter of a broad field of study and a demonstrated ability to do independent research. In addition, the candidate must have acquired the ability to express thoughts clearly and forcefully in both oral and written languages.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Geology

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Colorado School of Mines logo
Ranked as:  #89 in Best National University
Tuition:  $39,800 per year
Total Cost:  $79,600 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Colorado
Acceptance:  54.97%

The Geophysics offers both traditional, research-oriented graduate programs and non-thesis education programs designed to meet specific career objectives. The program of study is selected by the student, in consultation with an advisor, and with thesis committee approval, according to the student’s career needs and interests.

We are excited to announce the addition of several NEW graduate degree programs, starting in Fall 2019! Specific requirements to be published this spring. Click here to begin the application process.

Master of Science, Non-Thesis: Geophysics or Geophysical EngineeringComputational Geophysics Track Now Available.

Master of Science, Thesis and Non-ThesisHydrologic Science and Engineering: Hydrogeophysics.

Master of Science, Thesis and Non-ThesisHumanitarian Engineering: Humanitarian Geophysics.

This is a multi-disciplinary, non-thesis masters degree for students interested in working as geoscience professionals in the petroleum industry. Students gain admission to the program by application to any of the three sponsoring departments. Students are administered by that department into which they first matriculate.

Students may obtain a thesis-based Master of Science degree in either Geophysics or Geophysical Engineering. To obtain the Master of Science in Geophysical Engineering, the course work and thesis topic must meet the following requirements in addition to those associated with the Master of Science in Geophysics:.

The student’s dissertation topic must be appropriate for inclusion as part of an engineering degree.

This program is suitable for student who desire careers in research or academia. To obtain the PhD in Geophysical Engineering, the course work and thesis topic must meet the following requirements in addition to those associated with the PhD in Geophysics:.

In addition to specific professional development course requirements, and a requirement to demonstrate fluency in a language other than English, PhD students in the Geophysics must also engage in a practical teaching experience in an ongoing Mines course. This experience must take place within a single semester and involves a range of teaching methodology, including planning and delivering lectures and labs, holding office hours, and developing and grading assignments or quizzes.

We encourage you to as early as possible for the term for which you wish to be considered. Credentials may be received separately in the Office of Graduate Admissions, and will be included with submitted application file. Priority consideration for both admission and available funding is given to the earliest competitive applications to the program. Click here to begin your application process.

To be reviewed for your desired entry semester, your application must be complete, with all credentials received by the Office of Graduate Admissions, by the posted deadlines.

We require the following for applications to the Geophysics graduate program:.

The Geophysics has no minimum required test scores or GPA for admission to the graduate program. Average scores of applicants accepted into the program for 2017-2018 are:.

Applications may take several weeks to review. You will be notified by the Office of Graduate Admissions when a decision is reached.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all credentials are received in time to meet the above deadlines. If you cannot meet the deadlines, you may contact the Graduate Admissions office to be considered for admission for a subsequent term.

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Graduate Program - Department of Geophysics

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University of Colorado Boulder logo
Ranked as:  #97 in Best National University
Tuition:  $32,980 per year
Total Cost:  $65,960 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Colorado
Acceptance:  84.2%

The geophysics Ph.D. course requirements, residency requirements, and the requirements for the Comprehensive Examination are formulated within the regulations of the Graduate School. In case of a conflict between those documents and the requirements stated here, the rules of the Graduate School apply.

A core of graduate courses, included in the minimum of 30 semester hours required for all Ph.D. is specified for students completing the Ph.D. in geophysics. This core coursework is designed to assure competency in appropriate subject matter at the Ph.D. level.

A three-semester sequence of geophysics courses: Earth and Planetary Physics I, II, and III (course numbers 6610, 6620, and 6630, cross-listed in the Geology, Physics, and Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Departments). These three courses do not have to be taken in any particular order. A student may petition the Geophysics Program Committee to substitute another course for one of these three core courses, but not for than one.

One semester of graduate-level applied mathematics selected from the list of Approved Math Courses on the Academics page. The student may petition the Geophysics Program Committee to substitute a comparable mathematics course for one of these courses. It is recommended, though not required, that students fulfill this requirement either before, or at the same time as, they take their first of the three core Earth and Planetary Physics courses.

The CU Graduate School requires a total of at least 30 semester credit hours. Possible additional courses could include, but are not restricted to those listed on the Academics page.

A research project, preferably involving original research, must be written up as a paper (comparable to publishable quality) and provided to the committee members 2 weeks before the oral examination, where the student will briefly present the paper and answer any questions the committee has. Such a research project may be in the student proposed thesis area but could also be in an unrelated area of geophysics. The oral exam can include basic questions of geophysics to test the student understanding of fundamental concepts. It is recommended that geophysics students complete their comps exam before the end of their 5th semester.

The proposed exam tests both geophysics knowledge as well as research skills.

By the time of the Comprehensive Examination, the student has applied for and been admitted to the Geophysics Program. Geophysics should be listed as the department on both the candidacy form and the examination report.

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Geophysics Ph.D. Program

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What kind of scholarships are available for Graduate Programs in Geophysics and Seismology?

We have 155 scholarships awarding up to $1,270,915 for Masters program in for Geophysics and Seismology, targeting diverse candidates and not restricted to state or school-based programs.

Scholarship nameAmountCredibility
George and Lavinia Blick Research Fund$25,000High
ASNT Fellowship Award$20,000High
Kathryn D. Sullivan Earth and Marine Science Fellowship$6,000Medium
AISES Intel Growing The Legacy Scholarship Program$5,000Medium
AISES ExxonMobil Scholarship$3,000Medium

Find scholarships and financial aid for Geophysics and Seismology graduate programs

$500 $20000

Are there universities offering online Master's in Geophysics and Seismology?

Best Online Masters Programs in Geophysics and Seismology - Updated 2023 Online Master's in Geophysics and Seismology

Are there colleges for the Geophysics and Seismology Masters program that do not require GRE/GMAT?

Quite a few accredited universities have waived off the GRE score requirements for admissions to Masters programs. 59 offer Graduate programs in Geophysics and Seismology. Below are listed 4 universities that do not require GRE/GMAT for admission to Master's program. For viewing the all the schools that have waived off GRE/GMAT for the admission, use Match Me Masters.

No GRE schools for Masters in Geophysics and Seismology

Which are the accredited universities that offer phd/doctoral programs offered in Geophysics and Seismology?

11 universities offer graduate PHD program in Geophysics and Seismology

Best Geophysics and Seismology graduate PHD programs

Are there any one year masters programs in Geophysics and Seismology?

A full-time Master’s program is usually a 2-year program, but there are accredited and Nationally ranked universities that offer 1-year and 18-month Master’s programs. An 18-month program can be completed in one year because if you are able to complete the credit requirements, you can get the degree in 1 year.

2 Universities offer On-campus Masters's Program within One Year - 18 months. The tuition for a Master's can range from $16,615 to $30,294.

On-campus Masters 1 year - 18 months in Geophysics and Seismology

What is the GRE score required for admission to Master's degree in Geophysics and Seismology?

Gre score requirements differ from school to school. Most colleges do not publish the cutoff scores. For example 59 universities offer Master's programs in Geophysics and Seismology.

University of Houston: GRE General scores to be sent directly to the program.

Gre score requirements for Master's program in Geophysics and Seismology

How much does it cost to get a Master's in Geophysics and Seismology and how to find the most affordable Masters program?

Master's degree in Geophysics and Seismology is offered by 59 US universities. The tuition for the Master's degree can range from $16,615 per year at University of Wyoming to $59,425 at Johns Hopkins University.

The tuition at public universities will be lower for in-state students when compared to private universities but you get more financial aid at private universities.

Most affordable Master's program in Geophysics and Seismology

Is it worth getting a master's degree in Geophysics and Seismology?

Before you invest 2-3 years of your life and anywhere between $40,000 - $110,00 of your hard earned money, students do ask as to what is the return on investment on the Master's degree. Here are some of the statistics from bls.gov.

Career Outlook

Employment of natural sciences managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 6,000 openings for natural sciences managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

The median annual wage for natural sciences managers was $137,940 in May 2020. Number of Jobs in 2020 was 79,000.

Career Opportunities with master's degree in Geophysics and Seismology


Job Title 2020 median Pay Number of Jobs Job Outlook What they do
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers $93,580 29,000 Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings for geoscientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth.
Hydrologists $84,040 6,500 Employment of hydrologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 700 openings for hydrologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust.

How can I compare the Geophysics and Seismology Graduate Programs?

Compare the GRE score requirements, admission details, credit requirements and tuition for the Master's Program, from 61 universities offering Graduate School Programs in Geophysics and Seismology. Compare Graduate School Programs in Geophysics and Seismology

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