What is Geography ? The Department of Geography has two MA degree options; an accelerated one-year, non-thesis program, and a two-year, thesis program. The MA non-thesis program has been structured primarily for students who have an undergraduate degree in geography and who desire to enter the job market upon completion of a masters program. The MA thesis program is recommended for students who wish to continue graduate work in a PhD program. The MA thesis program also may be appropriate for students who do not have an adequate background in geography and who wish to take additional course work over a longer time period (2 years). Candidates for the Masters of Arts degree are expected to show broad mastery of the field, with a focus on the areas of departmental strength, including economic, urban and historical-cultural geography. Also available is a concentration in physical geography, with slightly different requirements and options. Students are expected (i) to complete satisfactorily certain required courses and seminars, (ii) to complete additional work in areas related to their special interests (either within or outside the department) and (iii) to write a thesis and defend it successfully, or write a research paper and successfully conclude a field problem (non-thesis option).

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