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