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About U.S. Water Concerns
In this class, water is examined as a natural and societal resource, water infrastructure challenges, industry-related water pollution, and future changes due to climate change.
What are Water Studies?
U.S. Water Concerns, a professional water studies online certificate course, encompasses a range of issues including water, the study of water management, its scarcity, effects of climate change/pollution, infrastructure challenges, and the impact of these variables on water availability and quality.
Upon completion of this course, you will gain a basic understanding of:
- How population, climate, geology, and hydrology impact the supply of water resources
- How water resources and usage in the US compares with that in other countries
- Water issues that can arise in “wet” and “dry” areas
- Virtual water
- Agricultural use of water and how it impacts the shape of the land and economics
- Types and sources of water pollutants
- Condition of water infrastructure in the US and public health concerns
- Water and wastewater treatment processes
- How hydrology models are used to predict flooding and methods of stormwater control
- Water conflicts between US and neighboring countries
- Water conservation initiatives and their relationship with water quality
Course overview from Dr. Randi Brazeau
Course information
U.S. Water Concerns runs April 1 – May 1, 2025. Students must register by April 10.
The four-week course is entirely online and self-paced. You can complete the class anytime within the four weeks the course is available.
The tuition for this course is $475, with a $35 transaction fee. No textbooks are required.
You will receive a certification of completion after you successfully complete all three Water Studies courses.
You may also request to receive a digital badge for each class that will be embedded with the competencies learned. This badge can be added to your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or even share it with your current or future employer.
Instructor, Dr. Randi Brazeau
Dr. Randi Brazeau, P.E., received her B.S. and M.E. degrees in Civil Engineering at the University of Florida. After working as an engineering analyst with Kimley-Horn and Associates for two years, she completed a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – Environmental Water Resources from Virginal Tech under Dr. Marc Edwards. Currently, she is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at MSU Denver where she has been since 2012.
Randi teaches a variety of environmental science courses and teaches integrated science for pre-service elementary education students. In addition to advising Environmental Science students, she also serves as a primary advisor for Environmental Engineering. Her main research interests include decontamination of premise plumbing and public health after contamination events, surface water quality in response to mining and hazardous waste spills, urban surface water quality, and learner centered pedagogies in undergraduate STEM disciplines.
U.S. water studies job outlook & career opportunities
Upon completing this self-paced online certification course, you could pursue various professions in U.S. Water Concerns such as:
Water Resource Manager: Address U.S. Water concerns and manage water allocation on a federal level.
Environmental Policy Analyst: Developing regulations to mitigate water pollution and promote conservation.
Water Infrastructure Engineer: Design and implement sustainable water infrastructure projects.
Water Quality Specialist: Monitoring and addressing water pollution issues.
Climate Change Effect Coordinator: Develop strategies to address climate change impacts on water resources.
Water Conflict Mediator: Assist in the resolution of disputes concerning U.S. water rights.
The demand for professionals with expertise in U.S. Water Concerns at a federal level is growing due to:
- An increased awareness of water infrastructure challenges and the need for sustainable solutions.
- Concerns about water conservation and efficient resource management.
- Water pollution and the urgency to address environmental impacts.
- Growing recognition of the impact of climate change on water availability and quality.
- Escalating conflicts over water rights, requiring more mediators & policymakers.
Complete the full certificate with these other courses:
Colorado Water and the American West
Colorado Water and the American WestWater Law
Water LawOne World One Water Center
The One World One Water Center (OWOW) is a collaboration between Metropolitan State University of Denver and Denver Botanic Gardens. The OWOW Center strives to prepare an educated, empowered, solution-oriented Colorado citizenry to protect and preserve our precious water resources.
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