Master of Arts Degree Options
M.A. Thesis
M.A. Non-Thesis (Two-paper project based option)

YellowstoneThe M.A. emphasizes innovative interdisciplinary applied research that can be summarized as distinct research clusters that offer graduate students excellent opportunities to develop professional skills you desire. The clusters are cultural-historical-regional, economic-urban, remote sensing-GIS-cartography, and Geomorphology-climatology. Remote sensing, GIS, cartography and quantitative techniques link the clusters together into a cohesive graduate program.

Students obtaining an M.A. may select either a thesis or a non-thesis two paper option plan upon entering the graduate program. All students in the program are required to submit a thesis or its equivalent in the research papers as one requirement for the degree. Along with the thesis work students will complete a minimum of 37 semester hours which include a minor outside of the department. One-half of the credit hours must be taken in courses numbered 600 and above.

Students in the department will work with their advisor to determine a course of study specific to their research and academic goals as well as developing their thesis or research papers. Students should expect to take two years to complete the Master's program in geography.

Students finishing our graduate programs have been extremely successful in securing high salary, decision-making positions with NASA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, CIA, ESRI, ERDAS, and other outside firms. In addition, graduates of the department's programs also hold university-level academic positions


M.A. Thesis

Core Courses - 15 Credit Hrs + 6 Hrs Geography Electives
ENVI 512 - Advanced Cartography
ENVI 610 - Field Techniques
ENVI 611 - Research Design
ENVI 612 - Dev. of Geographic Thought
ENVI 645 - Adv. Spatial Analysis and Quant. Methods
Plus additional 6 Hrs of Geography Electives

Seminar - 3 Hours Minimum
Choose one from:
ENVI 700 - Seminar in Physical Geography
ENVI 710 - Seminar in Economic Geography
ENVI 711 Seminar in Location Theory
ENVI 733 - Seminar in Earth and Environmental Systems

Cognate Courses - 6 Hrs Outside Geography

Thesis Research - 6 Hrs


M.A. Non-Thesis

Core Courses - 15 Credit Hrs + 6 Hrs Geography Electives
ENVI 512 - Advanced Cartography
ENVI 610 - Field Techniques
ENVI 611 - Research Design
ENVI 612 - Dev. of Geographic Thought
ENVI 645 - Adv. Spatial Analysis and Quant. Methods
Plus additional 6 Hrs of Geography Electives

Seminar - 3 Hours Minimum
Choose one from:
ENVI 700 - Seminar in Physical Geography
ENVI 710 - Seminar in Economic Geography
ENVI 711 Seminar in Location Theory
ENVI 733 - Seminar in Earth and Environmental Systems

Cognate Courses - 6 Hrs Outside Geography

Research Project - 6 Hrs
Choose 6 hrs from
ENVI 629 - Physical Geography Research
ENVI 649 - Economic Geography Research


How to Apply
Current Graduate Catalog
Course Listings


Contact Information

For more information about the M.S. Degree contact Jeffery Stone or Suzanne Walters

Department of Earth and Environmental Systems