Program Overview

MS Geography Program

The MS in Geography offers a setting for students to work closely with faculty, students, and the community to develop a set of skills and a global perspective to help build a dynamic career solving social and environmental issues. The program includes a keen understanding of the geographic features of Earth and how they interact with social systems, as well as technological skills related to map-making, geo-location, and terrain analysis. The curriculum spans social justice, globalization, geographic information systems, atmospheric science, and community and regional planning.

Concentrations

There are three available concentrations within the MS Geography:

• Geography Concentration: This concentration offers both a thesis and a non-thesis option. The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 semester hours (s.h.) of 5000- and 6000-level courses, with 18 s.h. at the 6000-level. The non-thesis/internship option requires 36 s.h., with 21 s.h. at the 6000-level.
• Planning Concentration: This concentration offers only the non-thesis/internship option and requires a minimum of 36 s.h. at the 5000- and 6000-levels with a minimum of 21 s.h. at the 6000-level.
• Professional Science Master's in Geographic Information Science (GIS): This concentration offers only the non-thesis/internship option and requires a minimum of 36 s.h. at the 5000- and 6000-levels with a minimum of 21 s.h. at the 6000-level.

Degree Requirements

The minimum degree requirement is 30-36 s.h. as follows:

Core (6 s.h.)

• GEOG 6100: History and Philosophy of Geography (3)
• GEOG 6110: Research Design in Geography (3)

Research Skills (3 s.h.)

Choose a research skills/methods course related to the area of study and intended research:

• ANTH 5015: Advanced Ethnographic Methods and Theory (3)
• GEOG 6150: Quantitative Methods in Geography (3)
• GEOG 6160: Field Geography (3)
• HIST 5960: Introduction to Oral History (3)
• Other courses can be selected in consultation with the advisor.

Concentrations (6 – 15 s.h.) – Choose one

1. Geography Concentration: 6 – 12 s.h.

• Thesis Option (6 s.h.): Choose a minimum of 6 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- and 6000-levels.
• Nonthesis/Internship Option (12 s.h.): Choose a minimum of 12 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- and 6000-levels.

2. Planning Concentration: 15 s.h.

• Choose 3 s.h. from the following:
  • PLAN 6018: Internship in Planning (1)
  • PLAN 6028: Internship in Planning (2)
  • PLAN 6038: Internship in Planning (3)
• Choose 12 s.h. PLAN electives at the 5000 and 6000 levels.

3. Professional Science Master's in Geographic Information Science Concentration: 15 s.h.

• GEOG 6400: Seminar in Geographic Information and Analysis (3)
• Choose 12 s.h. from the following:
  • GEOG 6410: Advanced Cartography (3)
  • GEOG 6420: Advanced Remote Sensing (3)
  • GEOG 6430: Advanced Geographic Information Systems (3)
  • GEOG 6440: Spatial Analysis of Coastal Environments (3)
  • GEOG 6460: Advanced Digital Terrain Analysis (3)

Electives (9 s.h.) – Choose electives according to concentration area

1. Geography Concentration: 9 s.h.

• Choose a minimum of 9 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- and 6000-levels.

2. Planning Concentration: 9 s.h.

• Choose a minimum of 9 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- and 6000-levels.

3. Professional Science Master's in Geographic Information Science Concentration: 9 s.h.

• Choose a minimum of 9 s.h. of courses in one of the following:
  • Logistics
  • Management Information Systems
  • Marketing
  • Public Administration

Thesis OR Nonthesis/Internship Option (3 – 6 s.h.)

1. Geography Concentration: 3 – 6 s.h.

• Thesis Option: GEOG 7000: Thesis (3 – 6 s.h.).
• Nonthesis/Internship Option: GEOG 6801: Internship in Geography (1), GEOG 6802: Internship in Geography (2), GEOG 6803: Internship in Geography (3).

2. Planning Concentration: 3 s.h.

• Nonthesis/Internship Option: Choose 3 s.h. from the following: GEOG 6801: Internship in Geography (1), GEOG 6802: Internship in Geography (2), GEOG 6803: Internship in Geography (3).

3. Professional Science Master's in Geographic Information Science Concentration: 3 s.h.

• Nonthesis/Internship Option: Choose 3 s.h. from the following: GEOG 6801: Internship in Geography (1), GEOG 6802: Internship in Geography (2), GEOG 6803: Internship in Geography (3).