The Department of Geography offers both a thesis and nonthesis M.A. track. To apply, submit transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, scores from the aptitude portion of the GRE, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation for evaluation by the graduate committee. Several teaching associateships and tuition scholarships are awarded each year. To be considered for financial support for the academic year beginning in September, submit all application materials before March 1. Application deadlines for admission to the graduate program are one month before the beginning of the quarter for which you are requesting admission. All financial support is allotted on a competitive basis, and most is committed in the fall. Occasionally, however, associate or scholarship support is available for students wishing to begin study during the winter, spring, or summer quarter.
Geography courses that are required for both the thesis and nonthesis tracks are GEOG 571 Quantitative Methods, GEOG 580 Geographic Thought, GEOG 675 Library Research and Writing, and at least two seminars in geography.
For the thesis track, you must take a minimum of nine courses, seven of which must be in geography. Hours in 504, 505, 585, and 690 are excluded from the count. Fifteen additional hours in thesis are also required. The thesis committee is made up of three faculty members from the Department of Geography (one of whom will serve as your advisor and thesis director); you may choose one additional committee member from a related discipline. For the thesis degree, you must successfully defend both your thesis proposal and the completed thesis before this committee.
For the nonthesis track, you must complete a minimum of 60 quarter hours of graduate study, 50 of which must be in geography. Hours in 504, 505, 585, and 690 are excluded from the count. You must develop a program of study with two of the following areas of systematic emphasis: area studies, cultural, physical, environmental, resource management, population, urban, biogeography, and land use planning. These systematic concentrations must be supported by at least two courses taken in one of the following techniques: cartography, remote sensing, quantitative methods, and geographic information systems. The program of study must be approved by a committee made up of three geography faculty members. The degree is completed by passing a three-part comprehensive written exam on the chosen areas of systematic and technique emphases.
University Publications and Computer Services revised this file (https://www.ohio.edu/~gcat/97-99/areas/geog.htm) June 1, 1998.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to "gcat@www.ohiou.edu."