Who 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.
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; 3) GIS analysts or those seeking a career in GIS; and 4) other professionals such as natural resource analysts and environmental scientists. The Master’s degree in Geography (M.A.) requires 34 credit hours and is offered on campus or 100% online.
Official catalog description of the MA Geography program.
Master of Science in Geography
The Master of Science in Geography (M.S.) is the traditional, research-based geography track. Because M.S. students are required to complete a thesis, the M.S. option is the best choice for students wishing to engage in geographical research projects or in preparation for entrance into a doctoral program. The Master’s degree in Geography (M.S.) requires 34 credit hours. It could be completed online with approval of a thesis advisor in advance.
Official catalog description of the MS Geography program.
Get Started
Apply Now!M.A. applicants should follow the admissions process described at www.marshall.edu/graduate. In addition, M.A. applicants must:
- Submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and/or résumé with the graduate application;
- Submit a letter of recommendation (either from an employer or faculty member) with the graduate application.
M.S. applicants should follow the admissions process described at www.marshall.edu/graduate. Potential M.S. applicants must contact the department to ensure that their thesis research interests are compatible with at least one faculty member. In addition, M.S. applicants must:
- Submit a statement of purpose/research interest with the graduate application;
- Submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and/or résumé with the graduate application;
- Submit two letters of recommendation (from employers or faculty members) with the graduate application;
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25
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 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)
- GEO540 Spatial Statistics and GIS (4 credit hours)
- GEO615 Geographic Thought (3 credit hours)
- GEO616 Geographical Research Methods (3 credit hours)
- GEO679 Applied Projects (3 credit hours)
- GEO681 Thesis (M.S. only)
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.
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 525 Climatology
- 531 Principles of Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry
- 560 Weather Analysis
- 618 Seminar: Weather
- Internship 690
- 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