Geography, M.A.

Our Master of Arts (M.A.) program supports a breadth of research interests, including environmental and physical geography, geospatial science, human geography, social justice and urban studies. Master of Arts degree in Geography candidates are responsible for the general requirements stated in this catalog as well as the specific departmental requirements contained in the Geography Master of Arts Handbook.

Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree in geography; or,
A bachelor’s degree with 24 units of upper division courses substantially equivalent to those required for a geography major at this University; or,
A bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with 24 units of upper division courses in a combination of geography and approved courses in related disciplines,
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (“B”) or better in upper division coursework, or alternative evidence of ability to do graduate work,

See the Graduate Studies website and Cal State Apply for application instructions.

Advancement to Candidacy

See the Geography Graduate Student Handbook;
See the general University requirements.

Requirements

Completion of courses required to remove foundational and prerequisite deficiencies, if applicable,
Completion of 30 units of approved upper division and graduate courses. A minimum of 24 units of Geography courses. A minimum of 21 units of graduate work must be completed in residence.

Take the following two courses:

GEOG 596 - Geographic Thought and Literature (3 units)
GEOG 696 - Seminar in Geographical Research Design (3 units)

Take one advanced Geographic Methods course from the following:

GEOG 500 - Multivariate Geographical Analysis (4 units)
GEOG 502 - Qualitative Research Methods (4 units)
GEOG 543 - Watersheds: Processes and Management (4 units)
GEOG 575 - Geographical Applications in Remote Sensing (4 units)
GEOG 582 - Advanced Digital Cartography and GIS (4 units)
GEOG 584 - Enterprise GIS Development (4 units)
GEOG 586 - Field Methods in Landscape Analysis (4 units)
GEOG 587A - Environmental GIS (4 units)
GEOG 587B - Urban GIS (4 units)
GEOG 588 - Geographic Information Science (GIS) Programming (4 units)

OR an alternate 3-4 unit advanced methods course may be substituted with Graduate Advisor Approval

Take 2 topical seminars

Take 2 topical seminars (each of the following seminars may be taken with credit twice to meet this requirement), from the following:

GEOG 600 - Seminar in Geography (3 units)
GEOG 640 - Seminar in Physical/Environmental Geography (3 units)
GEOG 650 - Seminar in Cultural Geography (3 units)
GEOG 666 - Seminar in Urban Geography (3 units)
GEOG 680 - Seminar in Geospatial Science (3 units)

Take 6 units of thesis:

GEOG 698 - Thesis (1-6 units)

Take additional elective courses at the 400-500-600 level as needed to reach a minimum of 30 units.

A “B” or better is required in the two core courses:

GEOG 596 - Geographic Thought and Literature (3 units)
GEOG 696 - Seminar in Geographical Research Design (3 units)

Culminating Experience

The program culminates with a written thesis which is an original systematic study of a significant problem. It identifies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the significance of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and methods of gathering information, analyzes the data, and offers a conclusion or recommendation. Students complete 6-units of GEOG 698 coursework as part of the thesis research. Thesis research integrates the core competencies developed through the curriculum and reflects students’ acquired research skills.