MA in Geography
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts degree requires completion of 32 semester hours of course work. Two research options are available: a thesis and a non-thesis option. The non-thesis option requires the completion of a research paper. 15 or more of the 32 hours must be in courses at the 8000 level. Candidates must complete a minimum of 22 hours of graduate credit in courses offered by the Department of Geography numbered 7000 or higher. Non-thesis candidates may apply a maximum of six (6) credit hours in GEOG 8080 to their degree requirements; thesis students must take a minimum of six (6) GEOG 8090 research hours, with not more than nine (9) hours applied to degree requirements.
Every student must take GEOG 8750 and GEOG 8760, 6 additional hours of seminar-structured course work and 6 hours of course work in geographic methods.
A student’s specific program of courses is selected jointly by the student and the graduate advisor, designated during the first semester in residence. All students of either option must pass a comprehensive oral examination at the end of their graduate work.
Admission Criteria
Fall deadline: January 15 (for students who wish to be considered for funding)
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Minimum TOEFL scores:
Minimum TOEFL Scores Internet-based test (iBT) Paper-based test (PBT) 61 Effective July 1, 2015 must have score of 80 500 Effective July 1, 2015 must have score of 550
Preparation for graduate work in geography should include undergraduate courses in geography. Upon consultation with their advisor, students with insufficient background work in geography may be required to take additional undergraduate courses.
Required Application Materials
All elements of the application including those required by the department are submitted through the Graduate School online application. For complete instructions, see https://geography.missouri.edu/prospective-students/apply-ma-program/.
To the Graduate School:
- All required Graduate Admissions documents
- 3 letters of recommendation (submitted through the online application)
- Supplemental department application (with Statement of Purpose)
Application and Admission Information
Admission Contact Information
Dr. Matt Foulkes
Geography admission page: https://geography.missouri.edu/prospective-students/apply-ma-program/