Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Graduate Study

The Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences offers programs in the discipline of geography leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Students who are enrolled in master’s or doctoral degree programs in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences may elect an Interdepartmental Specialization in Cognitive Science. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Cognitive Science. For additional information, contact the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences.


Geography - Master of Science

The master's program in geography is designed to enable the student to achieve professional competence in the discipline. This program is intended to increase substantive and technical proficiency.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

All Plan A (with thesis) students seeking the master's degree in geography are expected to have completed courses in physical, human, and regional geography; in quantitative methods; and in geographic information science. Applicants who have not completed all of these requirements must work with their guidance committee to determine which, if any, deficiencies need to be remedied. Any course work completed to correct course deficiencies must be approved by the guidance committee and  may not be counted towards the 30-credit requirement for the degree.

REGULAR STATUS:  The requirements for admission to the program include:

  1. A bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university preferably with an undergraduate major in geography or at least 14 credits in geography and related fields.
  2. A grade–point average of at least 3.40 at the time of application in both (1) all geography courses and (2) all courses completed during the junior and senior years.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Geography

The Master of Science in Geography is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a minimum of 30 credits distributed as follows:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B (3 credits):
1. One of the following seminar courses:
GEO  813 Seminar in Urban and Economic Geography 3
GEO 816 The World System of Cities 3
GEO  871 Seminar in Physical Geography 3
GEO  872 Seminar in Human Geography 3
GEO  873 Seminar in Human-Environment Geography 3
GEO  874 Seminar in Geographic Information Science 3
Complete an advisor/guidance committee approved seminar substitution 3
2. Complete an additional minimum of 9 credits from GEO courses at the 400- level or 800-level as approved by the student's Plan A guidance committee or Plan B advisor.
3. Complete an additional minimum of 9 credits from 800-level or above courses  taken inside or outside of the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences as approved by the student's Plan A guidance committee or Plan B advisor.
     
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. The following course (3 credits):
     GEO  886 Research Design in Geography    3
2. Completion of 6 credits of GEO 899 Master's Thesis Research.
3. Completion of a research paper or poster at a professional meeting.
4. Pass a final oral examination in defense of the thesis as approved by the student's guidance committee.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Complete an additional minimum of 9 credits from GEO courses at the 800-level or above as approved by the student's advisor.
2. Pass a final written examination or evaluation as approved by the student’s advisor.

Geography - Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. program in geography is designed to develop the student's ability to conduct original research with special reference to:

  1. understanding of scientific inquiry.
  2. knowledge of the geographic discipline.
  3. understanding of a specialized area of geography such as people/environment, physical geography, regional development, or economic–regional science.
  4. proficiency with analytical and technical skills particularly with respect to spatial data analysis and manipulation.
  5. skills in communicating the results of research.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Admission to the doctoral program is based upon an evaluation of the student's academic records related to both the bachelor's and master's degrees, letters of recommendation, written statements, and other pertinent information such as professional experience and related achievements. Typical entrants to the doctoral program present a grade–point average of 3.60 or higher in a recognized master's degree program, which usually includes a thesis.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geography

The student must:

1. Complete at least 56 credits while enrolled in the doctoral program including the following courses:
a. The following courses (30 credits):
GEO 886 Research Design in Geography 3
GEO 986 Theory and Methods in Geography 3
GEO 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research 24
b. At least two of the following seminars (6 credits):
GEO 813 Seminar in Urban and Economic Geography 3
GEO 816 The World System of Cities 3
GEO 871 Seminar in Physical Geography 3
GEO 872 Seminar in Human Geography 3
GEO 873 Seminar in Human-Environment Geography 3
GEO 874 Seminar in Geographic Information Science 3
Complete an advisor/guidance committee approved seminar substitution 3
c. One advanced-level tool course. 3
Tool courses may be in such areas as computer science, foreign language, statistics or mathematics, cartography, remote sensing, geographic information science and social science or physical science research methods. The courses may be administered by the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences or by another department or school.
d. Courses that focus on a specialized area of geography and related course work (17 credits)
2. In consultation with the student's guidance committee, submit a manuscript to a refereed journal.
3. Successfully defend the doctoral dissertation.