Curriculum Requirements 

Core Courses
GEG 602Geographic Thought and Analysis3
GEG 603Research Design in Geography3
GEG 680Spatial Data Analysis I3
GEG 691Geographic Information Systems I3
Select one of the following:3
GEG 610
Survey Research Methods
GEG 681
Spatial Data Analysis II
GEG 692
Remote Sensing of the Environment
Select one of the following options:2-12
Master's Thesis
GEG 810
Master's Thesis
GEG 820
Research in Residence
Advanced Independent Study
GEG 625
Advanced Independent Study in Geography I
GEG 645
Advanced Independent Study in Geography II
Electives6
Total Credit Hours30

Suggested Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
GEG 602 Geographic Thought and Analysis 3
GEG 680 Spatial Data Analysis I 3
GEG 691 Geographic Information Systems I 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
GEG 603 Research Design in Geography 3
Select one of the following: 3
GEG 610
 Survey Research Methods  
GEG 681
 Spatial Data Analysis II  
GEG 692
 Remote Sensing of the Environment  
Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
Year Two
Fall
GEG 625 or 810 Advanced Independent Study in Geography I
or Master's Thesis
 6
Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
GEG 645 or 820 Advanced Independent Study in Geography II
or Research in Residence
 6
Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
 Total Credit Hours36
*

Students completing the Graduate Geospatial Certificate Program concurrently with the MA degree must complete GEG 692 and use one of the electives for a course that satisfies the Certificate Program requirements.

**

Students completing the two-paper option take GEG 625 and GEG 645; Students completing the Thesis Option take GEG 810 and GEG 820.

Mission

The Department of Geography and Regional Studies (GEG) seeks to encourage the rigorous investigation of human-environment interactions and the analysis of spatial patterns and trends related to societal processes. It reaches across disciplines to draw on a range of methods, theories, and perspectives that help us to understand how ideas and structures result from the interaction of space, time, and place. The department's core objective is to foster the examination, open discussion, and lively debate of geographic issues and urban studies among faculty and students from all fields of study, enriching the undergraduate curriculum and the university's academic mission through greater communication across disciplines and colleges. Its aim is to broaden, deepen, and transform the learning community at UM and beyond.

Goals

Our graduate program (MA) aims to prepare students for positions in teaching, government, non-governmental organizations, private business, urban and regional planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), resource management, and environmental analysis. The program focuses on three thematic areas: development studies, environmental analysis, and globalization and urban change. In addition, students can take courses in geospatial technology and learn marketable skills for today's job market: GIS, digital cartography, satellite remote sensing, land use and land cover analysis, survey research, and spatial statistics. During their studies, our students develop global citizenship, being able to see the global problems by using different lens, and develop skills to work effectively in multi-cultural environments and collaborative settings.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will have advanced understanding of the concepts and theories in both human and physical geographies and will be able to select and use advanced tools and methods to measure and assess spatial-temporal patterns and processes, the interrelationships between people and places, and the interactions between people and nature.
  • Students will integrate and apply advanced concepts and theories in human and physical geographies and apply critical thinking to conduct an original research project.
  • Students will demonstrate effective, advanced and original written, cartographic, and oral communication.