Developed in partnership with leading water industry organizations, our program prepares utility leaders to thrive in a rapidly changing water sector. In just 16 months, you’ll earn a 32-credit degree that blends essential business training—finance, marketing and communication and human resources—with specialized courses in rate setting, strategic planning, water regulations, cybersecurity, public communication and emerging technologies like AI in water systems.
To be considered for admission into the Master of Science in Water Utilities Management program, you must submit the following materials:
- Completed application.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, sent directly from the institution; electronic transcripts are preferred.
- Letter of Support from current employer
- A current résumé documenting work experience.
- Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources; recommender names/emails can be uploaded to the application, allowing the recommendation form to be sent to them by email.
- A personal statement regarding the motivation and goals that have prompted your application to the program.
You are considered for admission into the program once all application materials have been received.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a bachelor's degree or higher
- WMGT 510: Water Utility Fundamentals.............1 credit hour
- WMGT 520: Water Resource Economics.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 530: Business Ethics.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 540: Organizational Behavior and Leadership.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 550: Business Analytics Information Systems.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 559: Financial Math Tools.............0 credit hours
- WMGT 560: Fundamentals of Finance.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 570: Water HR: Personnel Management.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 580: Marketing and Social Media Strategy.............2 credit hours
- WMGY 590: Water Accounting.............1 credit hour
- WMGT 610: Water Policy and Regulations.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 620: Strategic Communication for Water Utilities.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 630: Risk and Resiliency Planning.............1 credit hour
- WMGT 640: Rate Setting.............1 credit hour
- WMGT 650: Strategic Planning for Water Utilities.............1 credit hour
- WMGT 660: Smart Water Technologies and Digital Transformation.............1 credit hour
- WMGT 670: Cybersecurity and Water Management.............1 credit hour
- WMGT 501: Residency 1.............1 credit hour
- WMGT 502: Residency 2.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 503: Residency 3.............2 credit hours
- WMGT 690: Capstone 0.............0 credit hours
- WMGT 691: Capstone 1.............1 credit hour
- WMGT 692: Capstone 2.............1 credit hour
WMGT 640: Rate setting
Rate structures and tradeoffs (equity, revenues); rate setting processes (investor-owned versus public); conducting the rate study; negotiation. Pre-req WMGT 520
WMGT 650: Long-term Strategic Planning for Water Utilities
Long-term Strategic Planning.Experiential Learning Course: How to construct short and long-term Capital Improvement Plans: work plans (5 year plans) and long-term strategic plans (50 year plans). Experiential: students use all that they have learned to i) construct strategic plan for their utility or ii) edit/update the strategic plan of their utility Pre-req: WMGT 560 Fundamentals of Finance, WMGT 620 AND WMGT 630
WMGT 620: Strategic Communication for Water Utilities
Topics: persuasion, public relations/crisis management, strategic alignment, group communication, and communication in organizational systems. Prereq: WMGT 580
WMGT 630: Risk and Resiliency Planning
Sources of uncertainty for water utilities (e.g., regulatory risk, climate change risk), measurement of risk, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, and resilient infrastructure planning.
David Houghton, PhD
Justin Roush, PhD
DJ Steffensen
James Loveland, PhD
Brian Webster, PhD
Timothy Jones, PhD
Dawn Tolonen
Why Xavier's MS in Water Utilities Management?
Earn a graduate business degree from Xavier’s world-class, AACSB-accredited Williams College of Business. Designed for current and aspiring water utility leaders, the program features cutting-edge management practices taught by expert faculty and guided by an experienced Advisory Board representing every facet of the water sector.
Courses are fully online and asynchronous, offered in convenient 8-week sessions that let you balance work and study. You’ll learn in a supportive community, staying closely connected with faculty and peers. To support you as you grow, an Executive in Residence also provides professional mentoring and career guidance.
Students meet in person three times during “Residency Experiences”: the Orientation Residency, the Abroad Residency (London and Amsterdam, Summer 2027), and the Capstone Residency. Each experience features keynote speakers, expert panels, cohort-building activities and valuable networking opportunities.
You'll apply concepts in real-time to solve challenges within your organization and the water sector. Instead of simply studying rate design, for example, you’ll put your learning to work analyzing real company rate schedules. Does your company have a long term strategic plan? You’ll critique or start one!
Gain an international perspective on water management, climate resilience, and infrastructure. By working directly with global experts and utilities, students return home with new insights and actionable ideas to enhance their own water systems.
Xavier University's Williams College of Business graduate programs consistently rank among the top nationally and statewide, particularly excelling in specialized areas like management and finance.
Educational Partners
American Water Works Association
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
National Association of Clean Water Agencies
Water Environment Federation
FAQ
Take the next step in your career and become a leader in the water utilities management sector. Learn more.Courses are fully online and asynchronous, offered in convenient 8-week sessions that let you balance work and study.
Students meet in person three times during the program on our campus in Cincinnati, Ohio: the Orientation Residency, the Abroad Residency (London and Amsterdam, Summer 2027), and the Capstone Residency. Each experience features keynote speakers, expert panels, cohort-building activities and valuable networking opportunities.
Water Utilities Management (MS) Program at Xavier University
Xavier University's Williams College of Business is accredited by the AACSB. AACSB-accredited schools offer students a relevant and challenging curriculum, the highest quality faculty and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."