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Geography - Ph.D.

Geography - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in Geography provides specialized training and inquiry into contemporary problems in geography.

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Program Information

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Engage in independent research projects.
  2. Acquire experiences in formulating research problems, reviewing relevant literature, designing research methodology, analyzing research data and formulating results from academic research.
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

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university 
  • Minimum 2.750 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.

Coursework
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Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
Geography Coursework 112
Cognate Discipliine 26
Additional Requirements12
GEOG 80199DISSERTATION I 330
Minimum Total Credit Hours:60
1

Geography coursework must be graded and may include graded independent study. Maximum 3 credit hours of GEOG 80998 may count towards the major requirements. New students are strongly encouraged to take GEOG 69701 and GEOG 70800 courses within the first year of their enrollment, if they have not already taken similar courses at the masters level.

2

The cognate field must be in a department other than geography. Generally, cognate study is taken with the cognate member of the student's advisory committee.

3

Candidacy examinations are taken after the dissertation proposal is approved by the committee. This should be completed by the end of the second year of doctoral study. Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for GEOG 80199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I, and thereafter GEOG 80299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Graduation Requirements

Of the 30 credit hours of coursework required for the degree, students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours that are letter graded at the doctoral degree–level.

Program Delivery
 
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

Calibration technologists and technicians and engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other

2.1%

slower than the average

91,600

number of jobs

$64,190

potential earnings

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

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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