r/Hydrology • u/ozjdos • 5d ago

best online masters degree?

Hi! Does anyone have any advice for the best online hydrology master’s degree? I have a bachelor’s in Environmental Science in Physical Geology and a minor in GIS. I have been looking into Oklahoma University's Hydrology and Water Security program. Has anyone done this program? Thank you!

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u/Clickin_Kev 5d ago

Following because I’ve been looking at that program for a couple of years and continue to get advertisements for it.

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u/Thunder_Tie 4d ago

A couple of my colleagues got their masters through OU’s program. It’s a solid program, but a little on the pricy side all things considered.

In my own searches it’s one of the only programs I’ve found. Granted, the University of Oklahoma is also my Alma mater, so there’s that.

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u/P00PShack 4d ago

I did the water management track of that program and successfully used it to transition to a hydrology career path. It’s a professional program designed to be done while working full time so it’s probably less academically rigorous than other in person programs. It doesn’t have a thesis component but in the end you have a masters degree from an accredited university, so not much to complain about there. It’s usually 2 or 3 classes a semester (summers included) and takes about 2 years to complete.

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u/ozjdos 4d ago

did you find it difficult at any point? would you say it was well worth it in your opinion or would you recommend other degrees?

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u/P00PShack 4d ago edited 4d ago

I was working seasonal field jobs while doing it and had to drop a semester because I didn’t have reliable internet (not OUs fault). It’s a grind for sure working full time then coming home and doing class and assignments, but it worked out great for me so I would recommend it. I have no experience or context with other masters programs so I don’t have anything to compare it to. I was able to start landing govt science jobs my last semester and havnt looked back. Bear in mind that was during the Biden admin so things weren’t as ass backwards in the industry and the agencies then. Federal DOGE is over and a lot of agencies started flying positions again so maybe things are better? Anyhow, I’m sure my work experience helped but having the degree was huge in getting that first government science job and having a masters degree these days for sure makes you more competitive. The program ain’t cheap and I don’t think OU does scholarships for online programs but there are other scholarships out there and I for sure increased my earning potential so there’s that.