Applied Geography, MA

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers a Master of Arts in Applied Geography. The goal of the program is to provide graduate level education that enables students to address community concerns through applied geographic research. Graduates with an MA in applied geography will have integrative skills that link human activity to natural systems, and that apply a spatial perspective to human and natural processes. Areas of emphasis are:

• Physical systems, including geomorphic, climatic, biologic, and hydrologic processes
• Nature-society relations
• Urban culture and landscape change
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and geovisualization 

Departmental Goal

• To provide students with specific scientific and communication skills necessary to be community leaders in their area of expertise.

Learning Outcomes

• An understanding of and appreciation for the interactions between the human and natural world.
• Skills to synthesize, analyze, and evaluate diverse social and physical information.
• Ability to conceptualize spatial relationships for problem solving.
• Communication skills to clearly present solutions or recommendations.

Admission Requirements

The following are minimum standards for admission of students to the MA in applied geography degree program:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, or demonstrate completion of work equivalent to the baccalaureate or master’s degree given at this university.
• Have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better (“A” is equal to 4.0).

Application Process

• Complete the GRE general test. There is no threshold for acceptance; scores are combined with other criteria to evaluate applications. A minimum combined score for the verbal and quantitative sections of the exam of 1000 is recommended.
• Provide three letters of recommendation.
• Provide two copies of official transcripts from all institutions attended.

Program Requirements