Geography Master of Arts Degree Program
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.) 36-credit, two year, thesis track for students who intend to continue to a Ph.D.
2.) 30 credits, one year, non-thesis, professional track for those interested in obtaining a terminal degree to meet career goals.
Thesis Track
Two-year research track (36 credits, minimum)
1. Six 3-credit courses for a total of 18 credits including;
- Gog 500: Introduction to Graduate Study in Geography: Geographic Thought;
- Gog 502/Pln 504: Statistical Methods;
- Gog 503: Human Dimensions of Global Change;
- Gog 504/Pln 538: Energy, Environment and Climate Change;
- Gog 529: Spatial Statistics;
- Gog 596/Pln 556: Geographic Information Systems.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Satisfactory completion of oral and written comprehensive examinations.
Non-Thesis Track
One year professional track, two semesters and summer session (30 credits)
1. 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;
- Gog 503: Human Dimensions of Global Change;
- Gog 504/Pln 538: Energy, Environment, and Climate Change;
- Gog 529: Spatial Statistics;
- Gog 596/Pln 556: Geographic Information Systems.
2. 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).
3. 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: Advanced Political Geography
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.
