Major Requirements

The M.A. program in geography gives the student a perspective on the nature of contemporary trends in geography, develops research skills, and provides a beginning to advanced training in three special subfields of the discipline.

The program consists of 30 graduate credits, at least half of which must be at the 600 level or above. The students may write a master’s thesis (three to six credits) or two master’s papers. The choice must be made by the end of the first year.

The M.A. program assumes a basic foundation in geography, including work in human, environmental, and physical geography, as well as in cartography and relevant methods. Students without such a background must do extra work, such as attending courses, auditing, or reading.

The student’s advisor and committee approve the topic for and supervise the writing of the master’s thesis, which must be completed by the end of the second year. Students electing to write two master’s papers instead of a thesis must have each paper approved by two members of the geography faculty.