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Geography - M.S.

Geography - M.S.

The Master of Science degree in Geography prepares graduate students for careers in both the academic field and non-academic jobs in various private and governmental agencies, in areas such as urban/economic geography, social geography, physical/environmental geography, and geographic information technology. Students learn geographic thought, research techniques and topical specialties while preparing to conduct original research.

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Program Information

Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
GEOG 60199THESIS I 16
GEOG 60800SEMINAR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC THOUGHT 3
GEOG 69701RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION OF GEOGRAPHIC DATA 3
Major Electives, choose from the following: 26
GEOG 54070
SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND LOCATION THEORY
GEOG 59070
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59076
SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
GEOG 59080
ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59230
REMOTE SENSING
GEOG 69004
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY
Additional Program Requirements 312
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

Students may elect to write a thesis or two research papers.

2

Students who earned their bachelor's degree at Kent State University and have completed the undergraduate equivalents of any techniques courses required in the master's degree can count them toward the techniques courses requirement. Courses taken at the undergraduate level will not count toward the minimum total credit hour requirement for the master's degree; however, the additional techniques courses will not be required.

3

Maximum 3 credit hours of research (GEOG 60996 or GEOG 60998) may count towards the M.S. degree requirements.

 
Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university 
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale 
  • Official transcript(s)
  • GRE scores
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
    • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
    • Minimum 77 MELAB score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: February 1

Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
GEOG 60800 SEMINAR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC THOUGHT 3
Major Electives or Additional Progam Requirements 6
 Credit Hours9
Semester Two
GEOG 69701 RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION OF GEOGRAPHIC DATA 3
Major Electives or Additional Progam Requirements 6
 Credit Hours9
Semester Three
GEOG 60199 THESIS I 3-6
Major Electives or Additional Progam Requirements 6
 Credit Hours9
Semester Four
GEOG 60199 THESIS I 3
 Credit Hours3
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

Geographers

-1.2%

decline

1,600

number of jobs

$85,430

potential earnings

Geography teachers, postsecondary

2.9%

slower than the average

4,800

number of jobs

$82,330

potential earnings

Surveying and mapping technicians

0.7%

little or no change

58,400

number of jobs

$46,200

potential earnings

Cartographers and photogrammetrists

4.5%

about as fast as the average

12,000

number of jobs

$68,380

potential earnings

Urban and regional planners

11.0%

much faster than the average

39,700

number of jobs

$75,950

potential earnings

Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers

4.9%

about as fast as the average

31,800

number of jobs

$93,580

potential earnings

Atmospheric and space scientists

6.4%

faster than the average

9,900

number of jobs

$99,740

potential earnings

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

17.7%

much faster than the average

738,100

number of jobs

$65,810

potential earnings

Notice:

* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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