Master of Arts Program
The department’s Master of Arts (MA) program in geography educates qualified students for work toward the PhD degree and for professional careers in government service, industry and regional or urban planning. There is a thesis option for each of the tracks. Each track requires a total of 40 credits, as well as defense of a project or a thesis.
An undergraduate specialization in geography is not required. However, students lacking a suitable background in geography may be required to take appropriate undergraduate work beyond course requirements for the MA degree. The deficiencies to be made up are determined by the department.
MA Track 1: General Geography
The program provides a disciplinary foundation along classical liberal arts lines that may lead to interdisciplinary work in scholarly areas such as conservation, environmental management, economic development and international studies. A total of 40 credits is required.
Required Courses:
- GEOG 500 Geographical Theory
- GEOG 533 Statistics for Geography or GEOG 534 Qualitative Methods
- GEOG 599 Research Thesis
MA Track 2: Cartography and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
This track educates students as spatial analysts, with emphasis on cartography, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). Among the essential components of the program are theory, research methods and advanced statistics. The objective of this track is career preparation in the specified area. This track also provides the option of pursuing the PhD degree at many institutions. A total of 40 credits is required.
Prerequisites include MATH 147 Elementary Statistics and GEOG 360 Introduction to GIS and Cartography or their equivalents.
Required Courses:
- GEOG 500 Geographical Theory
- GEOG 533 Statistics for Geography or GEOG 534 Qualitative Methods
- Select two GIS courses in consultation with advisor
- Four additional courses
- GEOG 599 Research Thesis
MA Track 3: Environmental and Resource Management
This track focuses on the integration of the environmental aspects of planning and resource use, incorporating both physical geography and institutional considerations of resource management. Among the essential components of this concentration are geographic techniques, environmental analysis, resource management theories and strategies, and application to local issues. Graduates from this track might work for planning agencies, in the private sector or pursue advanced degrees.
Prerequisites include MATH 147 Elementary Statistics or its equivalent.
Required Courses:
- GEOG 500 Geographical Theory
- GEOG 533 Statistics for Geography or GEOG 534 Qualitative Methods
- Select two physical geography courses in consultation with advisor
- Four additional courses
- GEOG 599 Thesis Research
MA Track 4: Urban Planning and Applied Geography
The program encompasses urban analysis and planning, as well as retail geography, site selection and market analysis, with emphasis on the integration of the institutional, environmental and urban-economic aspects of both public and private planning. Essential components of the program are geographical techniques, urban development, community involvement, retail geography, GIS applications, seminars in urban planning and practical experience through internship programs. As with MA Track 2, graduates from this program might work for planning agencies or pursue advanced degrees.
Prerequisites include MATH 147 Elementary Statistics or its equivalent.
Required Courses:
- GEOG 500 Geographical Theory
- GEOG 533 Statistics for Geography or GEOG 534 Qualitative Methods
- Select two urban courses in consultation with advisor
- Four additional courses
- GEOG 599 Research Thesis