Program Description - M.S. in Geography
Geography is the systematic study of the spatial aspects of human activity, the natural world, and human-environment interaction. The discipline of geography occupies a unique position as a bridge between the social sciences (Human Geography), natural sciences (Physical Geography), and STEM fields (GIScience). From this interdisciplinary perspective, geography helps us understand and address numerous contemporary challenges ranging from economic development, urban planning, and ethnic conflict to climate change, environmental sustainability, and natural resource management. As a result, geography is an expanding discipline with diverse career opportunities across the environmental sciences, social sciences, and technological fields in both the public and private sectors.
The Geography Department prepares students to succeed as professionals in today’s job market through an innovative curriculum focusing on building critical thinking, technical, and practical skills across a range of human geography, physical geography, and geospatial information science (GIScience) courses. The curriculum includes a mixture of classroom and lab instruction, hands-on projects, and professional internships experiences that actively engage students in the learning process and provide the skills necessary for lifelong learning. The department maintains state-of-the-art facilities, including technology-enhanced classrooms, a physical geography lab, and a GIScience computer lab, supporting students as they utilize the latest software and hardware. The department provides a supportive learning environment where students work closely with faculty and peers while enjoying numerous opportunities to participate in campus, state, and national professional activities.
Geography alumni have successfully applied their knowledge and practical skills in a variety of career paths in both the public and private sectors, including urban and regional planning, economic development, environment planning, natural resource and energy management, weather forecasting, emergency response and homeland security, GIS analysis, and education. Other alumni have continued studies at the doctoral level in geography, archaeology, and other fields.
Students wishing to earn a master’s degree in geography have the option of selecting either a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree. The M.A. degree is for students interested in human geography or geography education, while the M.S. is suitable for students interested in GIScience and/or physical geography. Both the M.S. and M.A. degree options prepare the graduate for professional employment or advanced work at the doctoral level. In coordination with their advisor, students may choose to either: 1) complete a capstone course GEO679 focusing on Career Advancement, Reflection on the degree completion experience, and a Comprehensive Exam or 2) write a thesis. The majority of our majors pursue the capstone course GEO679 option. The thesis option is the best choice for students wishing to engage in geographical research projects or in preparation for entrance into a doctoral program. Thesis students must pass GEO615 and GEO616 with grades of A and then must get permission from a potential thesis advisor before enrolling in GEO681 Thesis.
A graduate minor in Geography is available for those not majoring in Geography.
For more information, please see the departmental website at www.marshall.edu/geography, e-mail geography@marshall.edu or call 304-696-4364.
Admission Requirements - M.S. In Geography
Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/admissions/graduate/. In addition, applicants must:
- submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and/or resume with the graduate application;
- submit two letters of recommendation (either from employers or faculty members) with the graduate application.
Graduate Assistantships
Applications for department research or teaching assistantships are available from the department website at www.marshall.edu/geography. For more information about graduate assistantships at Marshall University, please see https://www.marshall.edu/graduate/graduate-assistantship-overview/.
For more information about other financial support, please see www.marshall.edu/sfa.
Program Requirements - M.S. In Geography
Candidates for the master’s degree must meet the general requirements for graduate admission and complete a minimum of 34 total credits.
Plan of Study
A Plan of Study approved by the student’s advisor must be submitted for approval to the academic dean before the student registers for his or her 12th semester hour. The Plan of Study is a student’s “blueprint” for completing graduation requirements.
Plan Of Study - M.S. In Geography
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| GEO 540 | Spatial Statistics and GIS 1 | 4 |
| GEO 615 | Geographic Thought | 3 |
| GEO 616 | Geographical Research Methods | 3 |
| 3-6 |
| Portfolio and Career Profile | |
| Thesis (6 credits) | |
| 3-4 |
| Cartography & GIS | |
| Principles of GIS | |
| Principles of GIS II | |
| Location Analysis and GIS | |
| Environmental Raster Analysis | |
| Remote Sensing & Photogram | |
| Flood Hazards and GIS | |
| Drones:Remote Sensing & GIS | |
| Applied GIS Projects | |
| GIS Databases & Programming | |
| Internship in Geography (using GIScience) | |
| Geography of Appalachia | |
| Geography of Europe | |
| Political Geography | |
| Population Geography | |
| Geog of South & Middle America | |
| Urban Geography | |
| Environmental Geography | |
| Cartography & GIS | |
| Transportation Geography | |
| Climatology | |
| Principles of GIS | |
| Principles of GIS II | |
| Location Analysis and GIS | |
| Environmental Raster Analysis | |
| Remote Sensing & Photogram | |
| Flood Hazards and GIS | |
| Extreme Weather | |
| Drones:Remote Sensing & GIS | |
| Weather Analysis | |
| Economic Geography | |
| Seminars in Geography | |
| Seminars in Geography | |
| Seminars in Geography | |
| Problems in Environ Geog | |
| Regions of North America | |
| Applied GIS Projects | |
| GIS Databases & Programming | |
| Internship in Geography | |
| Total Credit Hours | 34-39 |
Some courses may not be listed here, but still count for credit in the program; see an advisor. Of the credit hours required for the degree, at least half must be at the 600 level.
