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

Research (Thesis) Plan (33 credit hours)

Required geography courses (12 hours total):

970:280 - Seminar (3 hrs.)
970:294 - Nature of Geography and Its Research Methodology (3 hrs.)
970:299 - 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 200/600-level; cannot include GEOG 6598; Additional hours of GEOG 6299 cannot count toward the minimum 21 elective hours.
 

Professional (Non-Thesis) Plan (36 credit hours)

Required geography courses (9 hours total):

970:280 - Seminar (3 hrs.)
970:294 - Nature of Geography and its Research Methodology (3 hrs.)
970:298 - Directed Research Project (3 hrs)

Electives (27 hours total)

At least 15 of these 27 hours must be in geography; at least 6 of these 27 hours must be at the 200/600-level; cannot include GEOG 6299.

 

Only graduate courses (course numbers 5000 or above) will apply toward the MA degree.

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.

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.