Geography (MA/MS)
The master’s degree in geography (MA or MS) emphasizes broad understanding of physical and human geography and basic geographic techniques. Students develop specialized research skills during work on the thesis.
The master of arts degree requires second-year university-level proficiency in a second language. Competency may be demonstrated by a standardized test or with adequate undergraduate course work. Competency in a foreign language or a computer language may be used to meet the departmental language requirement for the master of science degree.
The master's degree option in geographic education is designed for teachers who have K–12 teaching licensure or are working toward their initial or continuing licensure. Most graduate students who take the geographic education option also have several years of teaching experience.
A committee of two geography faculty members supervises the research and writing of a master’s thesis that shows evidence of original research and writing.
Program's Admission Requirements
Please visit the program's website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate breadth of knowledge across two or more subfields of geography and mastery within subfield of geography. Subfields here are defined as within biophysical geography (e.g., biogeography, climatology, or geomorphology), human geography (e.g., cultural, political, or human-environment relationships), or GIScience (e.g., remote sensing, data analysis and visualization, or map cognition).
- Identify and use geospatial techniques to analyze spatial data towards problem solving or modeling, critically analyze geographic problems, ask research questions, conduct literature reviews, understand methods, and conduct independent research and analysis.
- Conduct independent research and analysis and contribute substantial work.
- Demonstrate effective written, verbal, and graphic communication skills.
- Understand ethical issues and responsibilities especially in matters related to professionalism, data collection within the laboratory or field setting, and in writing and publishing theses and scientific papers.
Geography Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| GEOG 608 | Workshop: [Topic] (Thesis Writing) 2 | 2-16 |
| GEOG 611–612 & GEOG 613 | Theory and Practice of Geography I-II and Research Design 3 | 12 |
| Breadth Requirement | ||
| Three upper-division or graduate-level courses, with one in each area of emphasis (physical geography, human geography, geographic information system science) | 12 | |
| Methods Courses | ||
| Master's students must take one methods course, either quantitative or qualitative | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 30-44 | |
| 1 | Core courses or their equivalents must be completed either during the program or prior to entering. |
| 2 | Must take course for 1 credit every winter and spring term the student is in residence. |
| 3 | Must be taken during the first year the graduate student is in residence. |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Master's Required Courses | ||
| GEOG 507 | Seminar: [Topic] | 1-5 |
| or GEOG 607 | Seminar: [Topic] | |
| GEOG 507 | Seminar: [Topic] | 1-5 |
| or GEOG 607 | Seminar: [Topic] | |
| GEOG 503 | Thesis 1 | 9 |
| Total Credits | 11-19 | |
| 1 | At least 3 credits must be taken during the term the degree is granted. Every master’s thesis must be presented at a public lecture. |