Master of Arts in Geography
Advance your career and become a leader in your field
The University of Northern Iowa’s Master of Arts in Geography program helps students develop advanced knowledge and skills across diverse subfields— including GIS & Remote Sensing, Environmental & Earth Systems, Geomorphology, Human Spatial Systems, Planning & Development and more.
Students can pursue the research (thesis) track or the professional (non-thesis) track, which will be available fully online beginning August 2026. Both options are led by renowned faculty whose expertise spans the full breadth of the discipline.
Dynamic
& Diverse
Program offers many sub-disciplines to explore, including GIS & Remote Sensing, Environmental & Earth Systems, Geomorphology, Human Spatial Systems, Planning & Dvpt, and Geography Ed.
Funding
Opportunities
Department offers a number of teaching and research assistantships. Qualifying graduate students can also apply for the Graduate College Tuition Scholarship.
Faculty
Experts
Profs are experts in a wide variety of fields, including GIS, Geo archeology, Gender and Culture, Arctic, Rivers, Political Behavior, Urban Planning, Transportation and many more.
Interested? Request information
Tell us more and we'll send information on how you can succeed with a graduate degree in Geography from the University of Northern Iowa College of Social &Behavioral Sciences.
Please review our list of FAQs, for quick answers to some of our most frequently asked questions!
Bingqing Liang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Geography & Graduate Program Coordinator
Career Opportunities
With the Geography graduate degree, you will advance your career in one of these areas or be ready to continue your career in higher education. These opportunities might be:
- Senior Program Manager
- Department Chair
- Sustainability and GIS Manager
- Senior Planner
- Senior GIS Technician
Courses & Curriculum
Our program is a full-time, two-year program that consists of the following classes:
- GIS Applications
- Geographic Information Systems
- Drones for Mapping & Communication
- Demography & Population Geography
- Satellite Image Processing
- Cartographic Design
- Geographic Research Methods
- Seminar
- Research
Next Steps
Apply Now
Our application process is smooth and easy. You can apply now and pay your fee later or even get it waived, if you qualify. Current or former UNI students will also have their app fee waived.
Requirements for Admission
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Most current resume or curriculum vitae (1 page)
- 2 -page applicant statement addressing your professional background, motivations for seeking degree, career goals, and if you plan on pursuing the Thesis or Non-Thesis option
- Two letters of recommendation
- 2.75 is the minimum GPA to be accepted without provision; applicants with a GPA lower than 2.75 may still be admitted provisionally, at the discretion of the program and the Division of Graduate Studies
- Application fee (this can be waived or deferred, see if you qualify).
Applications due on February 1st for full consideration for the following fall semester.
Requirements for International Applicants
Along with the basic application requirements, international applicants also need:
- Proof of English proficiency
- A copy of the personal data page of your passport
- A completed UNI Financial Statement and Certification form
- Non-refundable application fee.
Jenny Trent
"But the most significant skill I learned while a student at UNI has been the ability to accept challenges and see them to the end through perseverance, determination, and dedication. This is attributed to the thesis I worked on while meeting challenge after challenge that needed solving in order to graduate."
Rachel Hansen
While her graduate studies at UNI, Rachel Hansen got the chance to work in an innovative graduate assistantship to help Iowa high school students find their passion in Geography. Hansen said, “[Geography is] just one of those things that is being marginalized in so many ways, so this was a really great idea to bring it front and center again.”
Dr. Mark Welford
Dr. Welford is a Professor and Head of Geography; Director of Environmental Resource Management program.
Fund Your Degree
Get the opportunity to learn and fund your degree through hands-on experiences, earning monetary awards or a combination of both. Visit one of the following pages to learn about graduate assistantships, scholarships or additional details on Geography at University of Northern Iowa College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.