Degrees & Options

The Master of Arts degree in Geography is available on the research (thesis) and professional (non-thesis) options.

Students pursuing either option may select from the following research concentrations: 

  • Geographic Information Science and Remote Sensing
  • Environmental and Earth Systems
  • Geomorphology
  • Human Spatial Systems
  • Planning and Development
  • Geography Education
School of Community & Geographic Innovation

Thesis (Research) Option (33 credit hours)

Required geography courses (12 hours total):

GEOG 6010 - Geographic Research Methods (3 hrs.)
GEOG 6550 - Seminar (History of Geographic Thought) (3 hrs.)
GEOG 6299 - Research (1-3 hr; must take 6 hrs total)

Electives (21 hours total)

At least 12 of these 21 hours must be in geography; at least 3 of the 18 hours must be at the 6000-level; cannot include GEOG 6598; additional hours of GEOG 6299 cannot count toward the minimum 21 elective hours.
 

Non-Thesis (Professional) Plan (30 credit hours)

Required geography courses (12 hours total):

GEOG 4570/5570 - Sustainability and Geographic Leadership (3 hrs.)
GEOG 5150 - Regional Geography: Variable Topic (3 hrs.)
GEOG 5270 - Science of Scenery (3 hrs.)

GEGO 6010 - Geographic Research Methods (3 hrs.)

GEOG 6550 - Seminar (History of Geographic Thought) (3 hrs.)

GEOG 6598 - Directed Research Project (3 hrs)

Electives (12 hours total)

At least 3 of these 12 hours must be a content elective and 3 hours must be a skills elective. Students may take an additional 3 hours of GEOG 6598 as an elective with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

 

A minimum of 17 hours of 6000-level coursework is required for both the thesis and non-thesis options.

Each student's program (beyond the required core courses) will be determined by individual needs in consultation with her/his graduate advisor and the graduate coordinator. However, students receiving funding through the School of Community & Geographic Innovation MUST be in the Thesis Option. 

For the thesis option, an oral thesis defense is required. For the non-thesis option, a final presentation of the research paper is required.

Additional detailed information is available at the UNI Catalog Website.