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
Geography

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 Department of Geography 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.