Geography, Resource Management, and Environmental Planning
Master of Arts
About this program
The Master of Arts in Geography, Resource Management, and Environmental Planning focuses on how people interact with natural resources and the environment. You’ll study land use, urban and regional planning, and sustainability while learning research and analysis methods. This program prepares you for careers in environmental policy, planning, or resource management, or for further graduate study. It helps you connect geographic knowledge with solutions to today’s environmental challenges.
Program Curriculum and Requirements
Program Scope
The most common area of specialization within the Master of Arts in Geography, Resource Management, and Environmental Planning.
This concentration affords opportunities for work in affiliated disciplines, and unofficial specializations in geographic techniques, physical geography, urban geography, environmental or land-use history and environmental analysis.
In general, the M.A. programs in Geography meet the academic needs of individuals seeking careers in environmental management and policy, urban and regional planning, Geographic Information Science (GIS/remote sensing) or as academics at the community college level, as well as students who wish to pursue doctoral studies elsewhere.
The graduate curriculum balances breadth with depth. Entering students without previous work in geography are required to take prerequisite courses in physical and human geography, as well as geographic techniques, plus two upper-division courses selected on advisement.
All geography Masters' students must complete a foundation seminar in the scope and method of geography, as well as seminars in both physical and human geography (with necessary prerequisites.) Additional seminars and upper-division coursework offer an opportunity for specialization.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Select, synthesize and critically evaluate appropriate research literature to support project goals.
- Design and complete a significant independent research project, demonstrating mastery in qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of a research question.
- Communicate effectively with peers and professionals within their field, exhibiting strong analytical writing, visual, and oral presentation skills.
Admissions Information
For admission to the graduate program, a student must meet the general University requirements as stated in the Bulletin. For unconditional admission to the M.A. program in Geography, a student must have completed an undergraduate major in geography with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major. An applicant with a GPA of 3.25 or better in a major other than geography may qualify for admission as a conditionally classified graduate student. The conditional status is removed upon completion of core degree courses in physical and human geography, introductory statistics, and introductory GIS, with a grade of B or better in each course. Units earned for remedial or prerequisite coursework are not applied toward the graduate degree.
Fall: April 15
Spring: November 1
Ready to apply? Visit the Graduate Students page to get started.
We’re Here to Help
Questions about the program or how to apply? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Leora Nanus
- Professor
Nancy Wilkinson
- Professor