Advance your expertise in soil science by deepening your understanding of soil health, management, and sustainable practices.
Credential Type
Graduate Certificate
Cost (2024)
$6,795 - $9,060
Delivery Format
Online
Program Length
9 - 12 Credit Hours
Enrollment
Fall or Spring
Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor's degree required
Benefit 1
Gain deep knowledge of soil properties and conservation.
Benefit 2
Enhance career prospects in environmental and soil science.
Benefit 3
Implement sustainable soil management practices.
Overview
This certificate is for environmental scientists, agronomists, and land management professionals.
It allows you to explore in-depth courses on soil science and conservation, enhancing your expertise and practical skills in sustainable land management.
Skills You Will Learn
Upon completing this certificate, you will:
- Understand and apply principles of soil conservation to manage land use effectively and solve related problems.
- Learn how soil characteristics influence erosion control and develop strategies to mitigate soil erosion.
- Gain insights into effective water management practices influenced by soil properties.
- Develop skills in cropping intensity and land-use planning based on soil assessment.
- Understand the biological, physical, and chemical controls over soil nutrient availability and how to manage these for optimal plant growth.
- Acquire the ability to summarize and critically analyze scientific literature relevant to soil and plant sciences.
- Learn about and apply analytical and quantitative methods used in soil science research.
- Develop skills to communicate and interpret research findings effectively in the context of plant and soil science.
- Master the basic principles of soil fertility, including nutrient cycling, fertilizer use, and lime application strategies.
- Explore the critical environmental functions of soil organic matter, learning methods to characterize and understand its dynamics in ecosystems.
Build Skills that Matter
Gain the knowledge and practical experience needed to excel in your field and create meaningful impact.
Course Details
The Soil Science & Conservation Certificate consists of the following requirements:
- Complete NRES 474: Soil and Water Conservation (3 Hours)
- Complete two approved graduate-level courses
- Complete at least nine credit hours
Approved graduate-level courses that meet this requirement are:
- NRES 438: Soil Nutrient Cycling (3 Hours)
- NRES 488: Soil Fertility and Fertilizers (3 Hours)
- NRES 586: Soil Organic Matter (4 Hours)
- Complete two courses from either Crop Sciences (CPSC) and/or Horticulture (HORT)
- Take courses for academic credit and earn a "B" or better for all courses
Other courses as approved by the certificate advisor.
For students wishing to complete both the soil and water certificates, NRES 474 will count for the specific required course for both certificates, but students will only earn the second certificate by completing a third course from the list of approved graduate-level courses.
How to Enroll
Applying for this Certificate
To apply for a graduate certificate program, you'll need to start an online application through the University of Illinois Graduate College.
The following items are required for your application:
- Bachelor’s degree: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A=4.0), or comparable GPA for an international applicant, for the last two years of undergraduate study is a minimum requirement for admission.
- Professional resume: This should include personal information (name, address, telephone number, and email address), academic background, work experience (start and end dates for each position and a brief description of responsibilities), educational training, professional associations, and leadership experiences. Please limit your resume to two pages.
- English proficiency scores (international students only): If you are a non-native English speaker, you must upload your TOEFL or IELTS scores directly to your application. Review the Graduate College’s English proficiency requirements for more details on possible exemptions.
Receiving your Certificate
For all students, after courses are completed, confirm your completion of the requirements.
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