Envision yourself solving some of the most critical issues of our time associated with river and coastal systems. In an effort to combine knowledge and experience, Tulane University and the US Army Corps of Engineers (through the Engineering Research and Develop Center’s Graduate Institute) have teamed up to offer a group of courses which explore many river science and engineering topics for university students, practicing water managers, and employees of public entities, NGOs, and for-profit organizations.
With this cerificate you can elevate your job capabilities to tackle major concerns such as stream restoration, bank stabilization, flood risk reduction, beach renourishment, offshore dredging, and even seawalls for flood protection. Located near the banks of the lower Mississippi River and atop the Mississippi delta, Tulane University is uniquely suited to offer programs that address river and coastal science and engineering. The US Army Corps of Engineers has immense practical experience as it has had broad responsibilities for the management and operation of river systems across the United States since the birth of our country.
The target audience for this certificate early career government and industry employees from across the nation, but the graduate certificate program is also available and is being pursued by Tulane graduate students in other SSE departments on top of their primary degree program.
All graduate level courses for graduate degree-seeking students are available for certificate students. Many are offered in a hybrid distance learning format – self-directed modules are assigned, followed by a topical weekly webinar which can be attended in person, online, or by watching the recording. The webinar is used for live online class discussions, the review of case studies, laboratory demonstrations, student presentations, and even live-streamed field work. Students from any location can participate, as long as they have access to the internet. Significant efforts are made to accommodate the schedules of working students, thus making the program well-suited to full-time employees working to enhance their knowledge and skills. Since all graduate classes taught in RCSE are available to certificate students, prospective students should examine the course list.
What is a Graduate Certificate?
A graduate certificate is a short program of study focused on a particular topic. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, certificates are the fastest-growing form of post-secondary credentials.
Within the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering (RCSE), this certificate program has been accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The graduate certificate is “individually customizable” by the student. A student can choose to take “river” or “coastal” classes because they teach skills they require, or a student may blend coursework across the disciplinary spectrum. Prospective students are encouraged to discuss what works best for them with the Program Coordinator at the time of application into the program.
The certificate may be a stand-alone educational accomplishment which allows students to gain considerable knowledge about systems that will be immediately applicable to current or future employment, or it may be “stacked” into a future graduate degree at Tulane. All graduate degrees in RCSE are SACS accredited, including the non-resident Master's degree.
What should you do if you are interested in the program? If you would like to ask more questions or receive more information, please use the Inquiry Form. If you are ready to apply, please click on the “Apply Now” button below. After your application has been reviewed, you will be notified of acceptance into the program, and granted non-degree Tulane graduate student status. You will also be provided with information on how to access the Tulane online registration website when the course registration period opens.
The majority of successful applicants to the program will have an undergraduate degree in a field of science or engineering. However, students in other fields who have a keen interest in rivers may seek special permission to enter the program from the RSCE chair, Dr. Ehab Meselhe (emeselhe@tulane.edu). Government employees should follow the training regulations appropriate to their agency, and not complete registration until permissions have been granted.
If you have additional question about the program, feel free to contact the program coordinator, Dr. Barb Kleiss (bkleiss@tulane.edu).
