The unifying idea of modern geography is the study of spatial patterns in the cultural and physical features of the earth's surface. Faculty strengths in the department include urban, economic and political geography; climate change, soils, landscape studies, geographic information systems, remote sensing, drones applications, cartography, computer applications and spatial analysis. Faculty have regional interests in Europe, North America, South Asia, Latin America, Africa, and East Asia.
Requirements for Admission to M.A. Program
The Department welcomes applicants with undergraduate majors in geography or any cognate field. Applicants are recommended to submit official Graduate Record Examination scores. Students with deficiencies in their education within geography may be required to complete courses in addition to those required for the M.A., at the discretion of their advisors and the director of the graduate program.
Program of Study
The department offers two options within the M.A. in Geography:
1.) 30 credits, one year, non-thesis, professional track for those interested in obtaining a terminal degree to meet career goals
2.) 36-credit, two year, thesis track for students who intend to continue to a Ph.D.
Non-Thesis Track
One year professional track, two semesters and summer session (30 credits)
- Six 3-credit courses for a total of 18 credits;
- Gog 500: Introduction to Graduate Study in Geography: Geographic Thought;
- Gog 502/Pln 504: Statistical Methods; or Soc 524/Gog 505/Pln 554: Social Science Data Analysis and Visualization with R
- Gog 503: Human Dimensions of Global Change;
- Gog 504/Pln 538: Energy, Environment, and Climate Change;
- Gog 596/Pln 556: Geographic Information Systems;
- Gog 698: Master's Research Paper in Geography.
- 12 credits in an area of specialization. Students may choose from two areas of specialization: Physical Geography or Human Geography and Globalization. Selection of courses should be done in consultation with academic advisor. Some courses can fulfill requirements in either of the specialization tracks (see below).
- Satisfactory completion of oral and written comprehensive examinations.
Thesis Track
Two-year research track (36 credits, minimum)
- Five 3-credit courses for a total of 15 credits including;
- Gog 500: Introduction to Graduate Study in Geography: Geographic Thought;
- Gog 502/Pln 504: Statistical Methods or Soc 524/Gog 505/Pln 554: Social Science Data Analysis and Visualization with R;
- Gog 503: Human Dimensions of Global Change;
- Gog 504/Pln 538: Energy, Environment and Climate Change;
- Gog 596/Pln 556: Geographic Information Systems.
- MA Thesis (Gog 699, six credits). It is recommended, that Master Thesis credits will be taken in the course of at least one year (three credits per semester). The average, recommended load of courses should be about nine credits per semester. Summer session in this track is usually used for a summer internship or thesis research. The thesis topic and the advisor should be chosen in the first semester of study.
- 15 credits in an area of specialization. Students may choose from two areas of specialization; Physical Geography or Human Geography and Globalization. Selection of courses should be done in consultation with academic advisor.
- Satisfactory completion of oral and written comprehensive examinations.
Two Areas of Specialization:
Note: No more than six credits combined in Gog 620/680/695/697/698 can be taken towards any area of specialization. The completion of both Gog 585 and Gog 590 qualifies students for an additional degree in Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis. This degree can be added to either of the two specialization tracks..
Physical Geography
- Gog 506: Introduction to Environmental Studies
- Gog 507: Biogeography
- Gog 518/Bio 518/Inf 508: Ecological Modeling
- Gog 519: Physical Environment of Cold Regions
- Gog 524: Landscape Ecology
- Gog 525: Remote Sensing Applications
- Gog 527/Pln 527: Human Factors in Geographic Information Science
- Gog 530: Selected Topics (1-4 credits)
- Gog 532/Pln 530: Environmental Planning
- Gog 533/Pln 533: Urban Ecology
- Gog 534/Pln 534: Water Resources Planning
- Gog 535/Pln 531: Environmental Assessment and Permitting
- Gog 579: Fundamentals of Applied Global Positioning Systems
- Gog 584/Pln 551: Remote Sensing I
- Gog 585/Pln 553: Remote Sensing II
- Gog 590: Advanced Cartography
- Gog 592: GIS Project Development
- Gog 593: Topics Image Analysis
- Gog 595/Pln 555: Introductory Mapinfo (1 credit)
- Gog 596/Pln 556: Geographic Information Systems
- Gog 597/Pln 557: Advanced GIS
- Gog 598/Pln 558: Geographic Information Systems Management
- Gog 680: Seminar in Geography
- Gog 685: Seminar in Remote Sensing of the Environment
- Gog 692/Pln 656: Seminar in Geographic Information Systems
- Gog 695: Graduate Internship in Geography
- Gog 697: Independent Study in Geography (1-4 credits)
- Gog 698: Master's Research Paper in Geography
- Gog 699: Master's Thesis in Geography (6 credits)
Human Geography and Globalization.
- Gog 514/Eng 514/His 514: The United States: An Interdisciplinary Approach (4 credits )
- Gog 521/Pln 501: Planning History and Philosophy
- Gog 522: GIS for Social Sciences
- Gog 525: Remote Sensing Applications
- Gog 526/Pln 502: Urban and Metropolitan Structure and Functions
- Gog 527/Pln 527: Human Factors in Geographic Information Science
- Gog 530: Selected Topics (1-4 credits)
- Gog 532/Pln 530: Environmental Planning
- Gog 533/Pln 533: Urban Ecology
- Gog 534/Pln 534: Water Resources Planning
- Gog 535/Pln 531: Environmental Assessment and Permitting
- Gog 540: Global Politics, Space and Place
- Gog 542: Geography of Religion
- Gog 547: Development and Underdevelopment
- Gog 555/Pln 503: Computer Applications in Planning
- Gog 564/Pln 544: Transportation Planning Practicum
- Gog 580: Advanced Urban Geography
- Gog 602/Pln 602: Regional Theories and Techniques (3-4 credits)
- Gog 620: Seminar in Urban Geography
- Gog 680: Seminar in Geography
- Gog 695: Graduate Internship in Geography
- Gog 697: Independent Study in Geography (1-4 credits)
- Gog 698: Master's Research Paper in Geography
- Gog 699: Master's Thesis in Geography (6 credit)
Please note: This program offers an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.