Graduate Program in Geography
The graduate program of the Department of Geography offers both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. The program’s basic purpose is to train scholars and professionals to produce and disseminate knowledge and to make outstanding contributions in the public and private sectors.
There are approximately 80-90 graduate students in the program. The M.A. program was founded in 1930 and the Ph.D. program began in 1965. The first Ph.D. was awarded in 1968. The Department is ranked as one of the top programs among the nation’s doctoral-granting departments of geography. It also attracts some 3,500 undergraduates to its courses every year, and has approximately 200 undergraduate majors in Geography.
Prospective students should have interests coincident with those of the faculty and strong preparation in the natural or social sciences, but not necessarily in geography. Prospective students may want to check the titles of recent theses and dissertations as well as information about current grad students.
How to Apply
Domestic and International Applicants:
- Apply Online anytime after August 1.
- Applications must be submitted by December 1st
**NEW BEGINNING FALL 2013 (Updated 9/10/13): Applications MUSTbe submitted by December 1. Reference letters and GRE/TOEFL scoresMUST be received by DECEMBER 15. Please plan accordingly by notifying those writing your reference letters in advance of the December 1 deadline for your application. Please be aware that your reference writers will not receive an email asking them to send in their letters until AFTER YOU SUBMIT your application. However, because the time between your submission and the deadline for these letters may be minimal if you submit on the due date, they should prepare their letters in advance.
**NEW BEGINNING FALL 2105 - For review and decision purposes you are required to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) in the online application. We require one copy of the scanned transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you attended. This includes community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs. While credits from one institution may appear on the transcript of a second institution, unofficial transcripts must be submitted from each institution, regardless of the length of attendance, and whether or not courses were completed. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of your admission or dismissal from the university.
ONLY after you are recommended for admission will you need to provide official transcripts.