Engineering professionals may find master's degree in ecohydrology beneficial

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as of 2008 engineers held about 1.6 millions jobs in the U.S. Professionals in this industry who would like to boost their careers may want to consider obtaining a master's degree that focuses on an emerging field, such as ecohydrology.

The University of Massachusetts (UMASS) is one school that now provides this degree option, the Massachusetts Daily Collegian reports. The new master's degree in civil engineering will allow students to focus in ecohydrology or fish passages. Individuals who enroll in this program will learn about dam and watershed management as well as stream restoration.

Students who are earning this degree will spend their time in and out of the classroom.

Brett Towler, professor in the school's engineering department, tells the newspaper that concerns about fish and the environment "really [shine] a light on a need for a marketable degree for engineers."

Professionals in this industry may want to obtain a master's degree that specializes in this field due to an increasing amount of opportunities. According to the BLS, jobs for environmental engineers will increase by 31 percent over the next eight years.

By Stephanie Hughes