Overview

The Geology BA degree from Portland State University builds on a foundation of physics, chemistry, and math to help you better understand earth systems and processes.

Learn from and work alongside our faculty who are leading researchers in the field of geology. Their areas of expertise include volcanology, geochemistry, structural geology, urban systems, glaciology, hydrogeology, meteorites, and planetary science, and active tectonics.

They bring their research back to your classes, providing you with breadth and depth of knowledge in geology as a discipline.

Work with community partners on projects. Our partners include the City of Portland, the state departments of Water Resources and Environmental Quality, environmental consulting firms, K-12 institutions across Oregon, the U.S. Geological Survey's Oregon Water Science Center housed on our campus, and the Cascade Volcano Observatory across the river in Vancouver, Washington.

Our research facilities include surveying equipment, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, a teaching laboratory with sensors and data loggers, and a web-based data clearinghouse with regional geoscience data.

Career opportunities:

Demand for geoscientists is high and expected to increase over the next 10 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. PSU's bachelor's degree in geology prepares you to fill that need.

Our graduates find jobs with government agencies at the federal, state, county, or city level; independent consulting firms working with engineers, architects, and planners; and in the construction, mining, and petroleum industries.

PSU's program also gives you a strong foundation if you're interested in pursuing graduate studies or careers in teaching, science writing and editing, and environmental law.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Computer Based Geology Laboratory

Numerical Modeling of Earth Systems

Structural Geology and Tectonics

Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

Field Methods in Geosciences

Geologic Mapping

Engineering Geology

Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-07-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-05 00:00:00
Starting 2026-09-30 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-06 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

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Credits

180 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Geology View 477 other Bachelors in Geology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

You must have a cumulative (overall) grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale.
Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement. You may be admitted to Portland State University and an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) pathway if you do not meet PSU's English Language Proficiency Requirement. Learn more about PSU’s English language programs.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Out-of-State

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12999 USD / year

≈ 12999 USD / year

Living costs

Portland

United States

1271 - 2262 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Geology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Career opportunities:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Portland

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners