Geography, M.S.

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About the Geography Master’s Program

The 36-hour master’s degree in geography has two options: 1) a thesis-based program designed for students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. or research-based career and 2) a non-thesis program intended for students who seek to acquire advanced employment skills. Both programs are designed to provide students with critical thinking skills, specific geographic expertise, spatial analysis techniques, and research experience.

Thesis Option:

Students entering the geography master’s program are strongly encouraged to write a thesis. The thesis is an original and significant piece of research that prepares the student to enter a doctoral program or for work in a career that requires demonstrated research skills. The thesis option requires:

GEOG 5300 - Seminar in Geographic Research 3 Semester Credit Hours
18 hours in the major (GEOG and GIST courses comprise the major)
6 hours in the minor or an additional 6 hours in the major
6 hours of Thesis

Non-thesis Option:

Students entering the geography master’s program may choose to pursue their degree under a non-thesis option. Under this option, a project is assigned to the student according to his/her interests and background and it is designed to demonstrate the student’s ability to integrate geographic knowledge and skills. The non-thesis option requires:

GEOG 5300 - Seminar in Geographic Research 3 Semester Credit Hours
21 hours in the major (GEOG and GIST courses comprise the major)
6 hours in the minor or an additional 6 hours in the major
GEOG 5310 - Readings in Geography 3 Semester Credit Hours
(for the project)