Master’s Degree in Geography – Enroll Now!

Graduate Students in the Master's Degree in Geography programWho needs a Master’s Degree in Geography from Marshall University? We have students who are AP Human Geography teachers, community college professors, GIS analysts, natural resource and environmental scientists as well as traditional research-based graduate students. Our degrees are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. We welcome you to come to campus as a traditional in-person learner OR pursue your master’s degree 100% online.

Marshall University undergraduate seniors can enter our Accelerated Master’s Degree (AMD) program and take a few graduate courses to get a head start on graduate school.  This AMD program makes it possible for them to earn their master’s degree in one year after their bachelor’s degree.  Can you earn your degree in one year if you are _not_ a Marshall undergraduate?  Yes, the course rotation will permit this, but you would shoulder a heavy load for fall, spring, and summer and would have to carefully select courses to complete all requirements in that short time frame.  The typical graduate student finishes in 1.5-2 years.  For some students, even this speed is too quick with their other responsibilities, so they take longer, up to the maximum of 7 years.

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 GEO681. 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.

The Master’s degree in Geography (M.A. or M.S.) requires 34 credit hours and is offered on campus or 100% online.

Master of Arts in Geography

The Master of Arts in Geography (M.A.) is popular among 1) school teachers (especially those teaching AP Human Geography); 2) community college professors; and 3) those seeking to learn more about human systems (cultures, economies, cities) expressed spatially.

Official catalog description of the MA Geography program.

Master of Science in Geography

The Master of Science in Geography (M.S.) is popular among GIS professionals or students pursuing physical geography–meteorology or environmental studies.

Official catalog description of the MS Geography program.

Get Started

Apply Now!

Master’s degree applicants should follow the admissions process described at www.marshall.edu/graduate. In addition, applicants must:

  • Submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and/or résumé with the graduate application;
  • Submit two letter of recommendation (either from employers or faculty members) with the graduate application.

Want to learn more?

Contact Dr. James Leonard about a graduate degree in Geography.
“God and my Master’s degree from Marshall landed me the position (GIS Analyst/Manager near Portland, OR).” ~ Mike, 2018

Master’s Degree in Geography Core Courses

Students must complete the following core courses in Geography (see course descriptions or rotation schedule):

  • Any GEO GIScience course, typically GEO523 Cartography and GIS (3 credit hours) or GEO526 Principles of GIS (4 credit hours)
  • GEO615 Geographic Thought (3 credit hours)
  • GEO616 Geographical Research Methods (3 credit hours)
  • (MS only) GEO540 Spatial Statistics and GIS (4 credit hours)
  • GEO 679 Applied Projects (3 credits) or GEO681 Thesis (6 credits)

Master’s Degree in Geography Tracks

Here are some suggested tracks you could pursue, or you could always mix and match to suit your interest! In each case, choose enough courses to get to 34 credits minimum (including your core courses) with at least 17 credits at the 600-level.

Human/Regional Geography Track:
  • 502 Geography of Appalachia
  • 504 Geography of Europe
  • 505 Political Geography
  • 506 Population Geography
  • 508 Geography of South and Middle America
  • 510 Urban Geography
  • 522 Environmental Geography
  • 524 Transportation Geography
  • 607 Economic Geography
  • 617 Seminar: Sustainable Transportation
  • 619 Seminar: Urban Revitalization
  • 620 Conservation
  • 623 Regions of North America
Physical Geography Track:
  • 522 Environmental Geography
  • 525 Climatology
  • 530 Environmental Raster GIS
  • 534 Flood Hazards and GIS
  • 560 Weather Analysis
  • 618 Seminar: Weather
  • 620 Conservation
  • BSC648 Landscape Ecology
  • Elective from Environmental Science (ES) or Geology (GLY) or Biology (BSC)
GIScience Track:
  • 523 Cartography and GIS
  • 526 Principles of GIS
  • 527 Programming GIS 2
  • 529 GIS Location Analysis
  • 530 Environmental Raster GIS
  • 531 Principles of Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry
  • 532 Enterprise GIS
  • 533 GPS and Mobile Geospatial Technologies
  • 534 Flood Hazards and GIS
  • 554 Drones: Remote Sensing and GIS
  • 631 Advanced GIS
  • 634 GIS Databases and Programming
  • Internship 690
Location Analysis Track:
  • 510 Urban Geography
  • 524 Transportation Geography
  • 526 Principles of GIS
  • 527 Programming GIS 2
  • 529 GIS Location Analysis
  • 533 GPS and Mobile Geospatial Technologies
  • 607 Economic Geography
  • Internship 690
Environmental Analysis Track:
  • 522 Environmental Geography
  • 526 Principles of GIS
  • 527 Programming GIS 2
  • 530 Environmental Raster GIS
  • 531 Principles of Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry
  • 534 Flood Hazards and GIS
  • 554 Drones: Remote Sensing and GIS
  • 620 Conservation
  • BSC648 Landscape Ecology
Urban and Regional Analysis Track:
  • 506 Population Geography
  • 510 Urban Geography
  • 524 Transportation Geography
  • 529 GIS Location Analysis
  • 607 Economic Geography
  • 617 Seminar: Sustainable Transportation
  • 619 Seminar: Urban Revitalization
  • Elective from Political Science (PSC) dealing the Public Administration
Weather and Climate Track:
  • 525 Climatology
  • 531 Principles of Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry
  • 560 Weather Analysis
  • 618 Seminar: Weather
  • Internship 690
AP Human Geography Educator Track:
  • 504 Geography of Europe
  • 505 Political Geography
  • 506 Population Geography
  • 508 Geography of South and Middle America
  • 510 Urban Geography
  • 518 Geography for Educators
  • 522 Environmental Geography
  • 607 Economic Geography
  • 618 Seminar: Weather
  • 620 Conservation

Graduate Minors in Geography

Graduate students pursuing degrees in other disciplines can choose from four different Graduate Minors in Geography. See a Geography department advisor for more information.

  • Regional Geography
  • Physical Geography
  • Human Geography
  • Geographic Information Systems/Remote Sensing

Contact Us


Geography Department
Harris Hall 215
Marshall University
1 John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755


Telephone: 304-696-4364


geography@marshall.edu

 

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