• Great Lakes Water Studies Institute

Great Lakes Water Studies Institute

Located at the Great Lakes Campus on Grand Traverse Bay, the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute (GLWSI) at Northwestern Michigan College is strategically positioned to engage individuals and organizations, both locally and globally, in advancing skills, knowledge and understanding of the world’s dynamic water resources.

What We Offer

• The first associate's degree in Freshwater Studies in the U.S. »
• An associate's degree with a Marine Technology major »
• A new bachelor's degree with a Marine Technology major »
• Multiple career pathways including bachelor's degree programs
• Innovative education, internships and research opportunities
• Collaboration with industry, government, universities and community
• Unique assets: R/V Northwestern, ROV, hydrographic sonar, water research laboratory

Freshwater Studies Program - Create Your Career In Water »

NMC offers multiple pathways to complete an ASA or AAS in Freshwater Studies. Inquire about our 1 + 1 hybrid Freshwater Studies Program. Complete your first year online and join us on campus for a second year of coursework by the Grand Traverse Bay.

View a model schedule here »

For more information, contact one of our advisors:

• Cathy Jarvi , Freshwater Studies Program Advisor, cjarvi@nmc.edu, (231) 995-3333
• Constanza Hazelwood PhD, Freshwater Studies Program Coordinator, chazelwood@nmc.edu, (231) 995-1722

Transition seamlessly from ASA to BS

NMC has collaborated with Western Michigan University to offer a BS in Freshwater Science and Sustainability degree in Traverse City. Program highlights:

• Interdisciplinary degree with numerous career paths
• Integrated curriculum, scheduling and advising
• Financial aid agreement allowing for combined courses counting toward aid
• All coursework offered in Traverse City

Find out more: Freshwater Science & Sustainability Bachelor's Degree »

West Bay Monitoring buoy

The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute has a solar-powered monitoring buoy in West Bay during the summer that provides seasonal, real-time data on wind speed and direction, air and water temperature, wave height and other information, including video of the bay.

View a map of all Great Lakes buoys here »

The buoy is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Data Buoy Center, which designs, develops, operates and maintains a global network of data collecting buoys and coastal stations.

Contact us »