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Guide to Master's Degree

How to Get a Master's Degree in Geography

Dig deeper into the world of geography and geographic systems with a master's degree in geography. Use this advanced degree to gain valuable research and theoretical techniques, analyze regions and zones, and pursue your geography career. With a master's degree in geography, you expand your knowledge in a field that fascinates you.

Geography Master's Degree Spotlight

As a type of social science degree, the geography master's degree encourages students to pursue a range of courses and electives over two years of full-time study. Master's degrees in geography offer a focused look into the systems that organize the world at large. Here are just a few careers possible for graduates of master's degree programs in geography:

  • Environmental Manager
  • Hazardous-Waste Planner
  • Elementary/Secondary School Teacher
  • Cartographer/Computer Mapper
  • Geographic Information System Specialist
  • Community Developer
  • Coastal Zone Manager

As evidenced, geography master's degrees have a broad application. Mix your work experience with a master's degree and move up the career ladder, or use your training to change directions in your job future. A master's degree program in geography offers you the tools you need to move ahead with your career plans. Although not the same as a graduate degree program, graduate certificate programs are also available for different geography specializations.

How to Earn a Master's Degree in Geography

Before you can start the application process for the perfect schools for your master's degree in geography, you need to learn more about the degree itself, and master's degree programs in general. Use these basic resources from WorldWideLearn.com to get started:

  • If you've just begun to plan your graduate training, take a look at WorldWideLearn.com's guide on Education Guidance.
  • If you're interested in a broader degrees for surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying technicians, see WorldWideLearn.com's guide.
  • If you're interested in geographic information systems (GIS) degrees, see WorldWideLearn.com's guide.

Begin your master's degree journey by learning more about the degree options in geography.

Step 1: Consider Your Geography Master's Degree Options

Far from a one-size-fits-all degree, geography master's degree programs offer training personalized to your career goals. Choose among three options for your training in geography.

  • Master of Arts (MA): A broad based degree, students focus on theory and history relating to geography. Programs in cartography are popular as MA degree programs, where students consider the history of mapmaking along with current techniques and trends.
  • Master of Science (MS): This focused degree may require more research and technical study than the master of arts. Students focus on technical topics like regional geography, GIS, and statistical methods.
  • Graduate Certificate Programs: Although not considered a master's degree, these short certificate programs focus on one aspect of geography, such as geographic information systems and spatial analysis or urban policy. Certificate programs provide geography training for students with degrees in other disciplines.

The geography master's degree generally requires two years of full-time study. Beyond general degree, geography programs offer a wealth of specializations. Choose among a range of programs in geography that include:

  • Human Geography
  • Regional Geography
  • Statistical Methods
  • Cartography
  • Urban, Social, Cultural & Economic Geography
  • Climate & Environmental Systems
  • Geographic Information Systems

Determine your degree and specialization based on your career goals, interests, and the specializations you find within individual programs. Find out more about individual schools by establishing a list of the available programs.

Step 2: Establish a List of Potential Geography Master's Degree Programs

Once you've thought about potential degrees, dig deeper by creating a list of geography master's degree programs. Use helpful online resources to create your list and learn more about individual programs. Work to create a comprehensive list; you'll take the time to narrow down your options later. Use the following links to compile your list:

  • Ranking Sites: Review publications and websites that maintain program rankings based on a range of factors. For example, U.S. News and World Report ranks the best earth sciences graduate schools; start your search there for potential geography programs.
  • Professional Organizations: Learn more about geography itself and the colleges that maintain membership in professional organizations within the field. The Association of American Geographers offers a wealth of career and education resources.
  • School Listings: Browse WorldWideLearn.com's school listings and use the site to contact individual programs for more information. See listings for geography degrees and GIS degrees.

After you've created a list of potential geography master's degree programs, you can begin to get an idea of the scope of options available to you. From the degrees themselves to specializations, you should have a good range of choices. Next, take the time to think about whether you would rather earn a master's degree online or on campus.

Step 3: Consider Campus and Online Geography Master's Degrees

At this point, consider the different learning methods you can use to earn your geography master's degree. Because you don't need hands-on research to finish a master's degree program in geography, a number of online and campus geography master's degree programs are available from which to choose.

Find out more about the two different styles of learning through WorldWideLearn.com. Explore resources related to online education through the links below:

  • Read about online versus campus degrees and learn how the two models stack up against one another.
  • Find out who uses online learning and see if you match the profile for students taking courses online.
  • Learn how your personal learning style can help determine the type of master's degree delivery model you should choose.

Adult learners thrive in both campus and online schools; your learning style and requirements should help you determine which style is best for you. Whether you're interested in the face-to-face feedback you can find with the campus classroom or the accessibility and flexibility of the online learning model, your choice should ultimately be personalized to you.

Step 4: Ensure Accreditation Status in Each Geography Master's Degree Program

Make sure that your geography program meets the same standard met by schools nationwide. By confirming a school's accreditation, it's simple. The process of accreditation requires a third-party agency to examine and evaluate schools for quality. These third-party groups examine elements including:

  • Academic records & recruiting
  • Financial accountability & financial aid
  • Hiring practices & faculty standards

Fortunately, it's easy to search the U.S. Department of Education's database to make sure that each geography schools on your list is accredited. Accreditation can provide the following benefits:

  • Acess to federal financial aid
  • Your geography master's degree is valued
  • Your confidence in the quality of your educational program is assured
  • Potential hiring managers value your degree

Note that both online and campus master's degree programs should hold current accreditation, and even if you recognize the name of a particular school, it's important to double check. Ensuring that each school is accredited can take some time depending on the length of your list, but the benefits outweigh the time spent. For more information on the accreditation process, see WorldWideLearn.com's guide.

Step 5: Narrow Down Your Geography Master's Degree Options

You've created a long list of accredited geography schools, each offering strong potential options in the field that interests you. Once you've established your list, you can begin to focus your options. Begin to eliminate geography schools by allowing your personal preferences to guide you. Use these categories to get started:

  • Standards: Each geography program on your list has its own admission standards and may require different documentation--recommendation letters, transcripts, resumes, test scores, and more. See WorldWideLearn.com's guide for more information on preparing for required graduate exams.
  • Finances: Take a practical look at each school by thinking about the potential cost associated with your geography master's degree. Balance tuition and cost of living with financial aid available to you. Weigh how your potential post-graduation salary may stack up against your degree costs. Find out more about financial aid programs in the U.S. by browsing WorldWideLearn.com's guide.
  • Location: If you're thinking about campus geography schools, look at each program's location. Research employment statistics for each location; the areas with the best job opportunities for geography graduates could mean better options when you're looking for an internship or career during or after your time in school.
  • Accessibility: If you're considering online master's degree programs, think about the technical details of each option. One school may offer an online geography reference library, while another could present course material in a unique and engaging way. Think about what you value most in terms of accessibility and technology, and fully research your options.
  • Reputation: Third-party rankings can affect the reputation of a school in the eyes of doctoral programs and potential employers alike. Be sure to balance rankings and school reputations with the price tag attached; the schools you find on geography top lists may require a higher tuition than the school that offers you the same education at a lower price.
  • Faculty: Consider the team of professors employed by each geography master's degree department. Learn more about professors completing research that is relevant to your interests in geography. Be sure to look for strong groups of faculty members over a school with one or two well-known professors.
  • Extras: As your last step in the process of narrowing your options, think about the perks offered by each geography master's degree program. You might be encouraged to travel or volunteer, work as an intern in the community, teach classes, or assist professors with their research. Consider these extra perks if you need to cut just a few geography schools from your list.

After you've considered each category, create a short list of strong geography schools that seem customized to your needs. Your newly personalized list should add to your confidence level once you learn more about individual schools. Next, you can begin the application process with only the strongest geography schools on your list.

How to Apply for Geography Master's Degree Programs

Begin the application process to your top list of geography master's degree programs. Because you're working with a short list of preferred schools, you spend less time and money submitting admissions applications. As you begin the process, keep the following in mind:

  • Meet Requirements: Each geography department has different requirements. You may need to provide transcripts, test scores, and other essential elements in your application packet. For more information on requirements, contact individual geography schools.
  • Observe Deadlines: Along with unique requirements, each program application may have different deadlines. Simplify the process by using a calendar to observe the different deadlines for transcripts, test scores, and completed packets.
  • Get Educated: As you apply, learn more about the field of geography. Take a look at professional organizations like the Association of American Geographers for more information.

Researching the full variety of geography programs does take time, but you can benefit from getting more facts about the degree itself. When the time comes to apply to your top geography master's degree options, you'll be more likely to complete the application process with less stress and more confidence, putting your best foot forward on your application.

Sources

  • Association of American Geographers
  • Geography Master of Arts, San Jose State University
  • Graduate Study in Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Masters of Arts in Geography, University at Albany
  • Rankings: Earth Sciences U.S. News & World Report
  • Search Institutional Accreditation System, U.S. Department of Education

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