M.A. G&ES
The Master of Arts
in Geography and Environmental Studies is a 33 hour program offered in the evening
hours
and
weekends. The program is
designed for students with various academic backgrounds who are interested
in a career which spans the human and natural environments -- the social
and physical sciences -- and who desire the spatial analytical skills of
geography. Graduate students develop an area of proficiency within
the broad scope of environmental policy, planning, and management or within
the geographic realm of spatial analysis. The program is both theoretical
and practical; students gain knowledge, conceptual skills, and technical
skills.. The program provides a solid basis
for a career, a career shift, career enhancement, or preparation for post-graduate
studies.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Students are expected to ...
-
acquire knowledge about human-environmental relations in which the environment
is considered as both space and milieu
-
acquire knowledge of rapidly changing landscapes, synthesizing diverse, but
interrelated information
-
acquire knowledge related to locational studies concerning geometrics of movement,
size, shape, and distance
-
acquire knowledge related to environmental resources including interpretation,
planning, development, use, and conservation
-
acquire knowledge related to socio-economic development
-
use computer cartography and geographic information systems to analyze, monitor,
evaluate, and project spatial data
-
refine skills related to map interpretation, composition, types, and preparation,
and in interpretation of aerial photographs, field observation, and satellite
imagery
-
refine skills in collection and analysis of statistical data
-
develop skills related to computerized data processing
-
refine computational and oral as well as written communication and research
skills
REQUIRED COURSES
-- 15 or 18 credit hours
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING .......................................................................
(3 cr hr)
- G&ES 441: Qualitative Research methods
- G&ES 442: Quantitative Measurements*
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
-
G&ES 430 Research Seminar ....................................................................(3
cr hr) OR
-
G&ES 431 Thesis Seminar .........................................................................(6
cr hr)
ELECTIVES -- 21 or 18 credit hours
(400 level, or from approved list of 300 level courses) ...............................18/21
hours
TOTAL -- 33 credit hours
Comprehensive Examination
Note: the requirements have changed for students entering Fall 2008 or
later. See the University Catalog for prior requirements, which will continue
to apply for students admitted prior to Fall 2008 (unless they prefer to
change to the new ones).
In addition to these requirements the Department and College have approved
the following changes, which will become effective after approval by the
University Committee and Provost.
Recommended Change: Students undertaking the Thesis option will not be required
to also take the comprehensive examination.
Student Status
There are various levels of status a student may have during his or her graduate
career.
- At Large
- Students not yet admitted into the M.A. program may enroll in classes
after receiving the status of student-at-large from Admissions and Records.
If the student intends later to transfer any of these credits to the graduate
program, he or she should seek careful advisement in advance.
- Denied
- Students who have applied but whose application is inadequate (for example,
no bachelor's degree) may be denied, in which case their application is
destroyed.
- Deferred
- Students who have applied but have a very low undergraduate GPA or lack
more than two background courses may be deferred. Their application
will be retained and reopened when the deficiencies have been satisfied.
- Conditional
- Conditional status is given when a student nearly satisfies all requirements
for full admission. Students with conditional status are admitted
into the program on the condition that they complete their remaining background
courses or maintain a high grade point average, as the department and graduate
college may decide. Upon completion of these requirements students
automatically become full graduate students. No paperwork is required.
- Full
- Full admission is given to students who have a sufficient academic background
and GPA and who have the full support of both the Department and College.
- Candidate
- Only full graduate students may become candidates, a status that indicates
the student is about half-way through the program and doing well. Apply
for candidacy to the graduate college after taking 12 hours of graduate
credit, satisfying course deficiencies, and attaining a Program Advisor.
- Master of Arts
- After completing the required coursework, the comprehensive examination,
and thesis or research paper, the student applies for graduation, and then
receives his or her degree.
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