Freshwater Sciences: Dual Degree

Dive in to an exciting field

Water is one of our most vital resources, and it’s often under threat. Whether you want to lead cutting-edge water research or develop water policy to ensure safe water resources for all, Alverno’s freshwater science dual-degree program can prepare you for a rewarding career. Through a partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM), you can earn a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in just five years.

How the program works

This dual-degree program saves you time and money by combining just three years of Environmental Science or Integrated Natural Sciences undergraduate studies at Alverno with UWM’s two-year Master of Science in Freshwater Sciences and Technology. Milwaukee is a global hub for freshwater research and innovation, and there’s no better place to study freshwater than on the shores of Lake Michigan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.

You’ll begin your studies at Alverno, where our small class sizes will ensure you receive individualized attention, personalized feedback and form close relationships with faculty and classmates. Here, you’ll build a strong foundation in science and research. In your third year of studies, you can seek admission to UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences. For acceptance, you must successfully complete UWM’s admissions requirements (except for completion of the bachelor’s degree).

If you go on to UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences, you’ll receive a bachelor of science from Alverno after you complete the required 120 credits (your UWM credits will transfer back to Alverno). If you do not go on to UWM, you can complete your fourth year at Alverno to earn a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or Integrated Natural Sciences, or you can choose to receive an associate’s degree in Integrated Natural Sciences from Alverno with no additional coursework.

As a freshwater science major, you will learn how to:

• Use evidence-based conclusions: You will gather data and analyze both the information and the source to evaluate the validity and the viewpoint. Environmental problems have stakeholders from various perspectives and by looking at the problem from various viewpoints you will make better decisions, based on evidence.
• Find creative solutions: environmental issues can be complex, but a multi-disciplined background will help you develop adaptive strategies for both existing problems and practices, to mitigate the negative impacts.
• Communicate to diverse audiences: Scientific issues affect everyone, so being able to clearly communicate your findings to general audiences and to scientific audiences is key.
• Manage your time and grow as a professional: The dual degree 3+2 program will require focus and professionalism to complete the Alverno requirements in a timely manner, and to network with the UWM School of Freshwater Science faculty.

Freshwater science majors are ready for:

Students are not required to complete an internship while at Alverno. However, the professional track of the graduate degree does require an internship, and the thesis track requires a substantial amount of independent research. Milwaukee offers many options in freshwater-related internships, including the Water Technology Accelerator at the Global Water Center, Riveredge Nature Center, Urban Ecology Center, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other environmental organizations.

• Graduate school
• Environmental law and consulting
• Nonprofit /environmental justice advocacy
• Governmental regulatory work
• Corporate sustainability careers
• And more!