The Master of Arts in Geography

Course Requirements for the Master’s Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 6 semester units of transfer credit may be applied toward the degree.
Graduate Time Limit: All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See “Graduate Education” in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Geography master’s degree students are required to maintain “normal progress” toward the degree. “Normal progress” is defined as advancing to classified status by the end of the first year in the program and advancing to candidacy by the end of the second year in the program. At the end of each academic year, the department’s Graduate Studies Committee will evaluate student progress and assign normal status, probationary status, or dismiss the student from the program.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in “Admission to Master’s Degree Programs” in The University Catalog. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA are normally not admitted.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Programs.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Programs. Appropriate academic preparation for the Option in Geography is a major or minor in geography; appropriate academic preparation for the Option in Rural and Town Planning is a major or minor in planning. All students who have not completed the transfer equivalent of GEOG 108, Map and Aerial Photo Interpretation, and GEOG 115, Spatial Analysis, must take these courses in addition to the 30 units required for the degree.

Students not holding acceptable degrees are required to complete the 15 units of qualifying course work described below. Students holding acceptable degrees but lacking specific courses are required to complete qualifying course work. Qualifying course work shall not be counted as units toward the master’s degree.

4. Two letters of recommendation and a Statement of Purpose. The Statement of Purpose must designate an area of specialization and indicate which faculty members’ interests best match the student’s interests. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.

5. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants with a GRE Aptitude Test score (combined verbal and quantitative) of less than 1000 are normally not admitted.

6. For the Option in Geography only:

Students without an undergraduate major or minor in geography must complete the following 15 units of qualifying course work with a minimum grade of B in each course. All qualifying courses must be completed before a student will be considered for classified status. None of these units will be counted toward the master’s degree. Nine of the units must be completed before taking GEOG 300. The preparatory courses include:

6 units of Physical Geography at the upper-division level;

6 units of Human Geography;

3 units of Techniques in Geography at the upper-division level.

The Graduate Coordinator will determine the equivalency of undergraduate courses.

7. For Option in Rural and Town Planning only:

Student without an undergraduate major or minor in planning must complete the following 15 units of qualifying course work with a minimum grade of B in each course. All qualifying courses must be completed before a student will be considered for classified status. None of these units will be counted toward the master’s degree. Nine of the units must be completed before taking GEOG 300. The preparatory courses include:
GEOG 101, Global Economic Geography;
GEOG 108, Map and Air Photo Interpretation or equivalent;
GEOG 120, Community and Rural Planning;
GEOG 223, Planning Methods;
GEOG 227, Environmental Impact Analysis.

The Graduate Coordinator will determine the equivalency of undergraduate courses.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Development of an approved program in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and a faculty adviser of the student’s choice. Students must complete the development of an approved program and request advancement to classified status by the end of the second semester of the program. No more than 6 units combined of GEOG 389, GEOG 398, and GEOG 399 may be included in the program plan.

2. Completion of 15 departmentally specified units of letter-graded 200/300-level course work, including GEOG 300 and GEOG 301. Twelve of the 15 units must be completed in residence.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and satisfactory completion of at least 18 units of the approved program.

2. Formation of the graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and committee chair. This committee shall consist of at least three members and shall be in accord with the policies and requirements of the Office of Graduate Programs.

3. Completion of a thesis proposal, a project proposal, or proposal for the scope of study for comprehensive examinations (Option in Rural and Town Planning only). The proposal will be publicly presented. A student who has elected the thesis, project, or examination option will not be allowed to change the option.

Requirements for the MA in Geography with an Option in Geography:

Completion of all requirements as established by the departmental graduate committee and the Office of Graduate Programs, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 200/300-level course work as follows:
(a) At least 24 units in geography. None of these 24 units may be from GEOG 389, GEOG 398, or GEOG 399.
(b) At least 18 of the units required for the degree in 300-level courses.
(c) Successful completion of the following courses:

GEOG    300    Advances in Geography & Planning    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG    301    Research Models in Geog & Plan    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 300.

(d) Successful completion of three of the following seminars:

GEOG    302    Seminar in Physical Geography    3.0    Inq

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG    303    Seminar in Human Geography    3.0    Inq

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG    305    Seminar in Applied Geography    3.0    Inq

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG    306    Seminar in Special Topics    3.0    Inq

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG    307    Environmental Planning    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: BIOL 134, GEOG 227, and faculty permission.

(e) Not more than 6 semester units of transfer and/or Open University credit (correspondence courses and extension course work are not acceptable).
(f) At least 1 unit, but no more than 6 units, of GEOG 399 Master’s Study. No more than 6 units combined of GEOG 389, GEOG 398, and GEOG 399 may be included in the program.

2. Completion and approval of a thesis or project of adequate scope and depth and a public defense of the work. Approval of the work by members of the Graduate Advisory Committee and the Graduate Coordinator.

(a) Thesis Plan (Geography): A thesis must show substantial analysis and discussion of an original topic in geography. The thesis must include a review of the pertinent literature, a discussion of the methodology used, a presentation of the data and results of the work, and a discussion of the conclusions and importance of the work.
(b) Project Plan (Geography): A project investigates a substantial problem of physical geography, human geography, or geographic techniques. The project may include cartographic or GIS work, field study of an environmental problem or variable, computer modeling, or field-based analysis of a problem of human geography. The project will be an appendix to an academic discussion of the pertinent literature, the methodological approach, and of the application of its importance.

3. Approval by the Graduate Coordinator or Department Chair and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the university.

Requirements for the MA in Geography with an Option in Rural and Town Planning

Completion of all requirements as established by the departmental graduate committee and the Office of Graduate Programs, to include:
1. Completion of an approved program of 30 units of 200/300-level course work as follows:
(a) The following 24 units of course work:

GEOG    224    Planning Studio    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 109 for majors; GEOG 223 or equivalent.

GEOG    225    Community/Regional Development    3.0    FA

GEOG    228    Site Planning    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108; GEOG 120; or equivalent.

GEOG    300    Advances in Geography & Planning    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG    301    Research Models in Geog & Plan    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 300.

GEOG    307    Environmental Planning    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: BIOL 134, GEOG 227, and faculty permission.

POLS    268    Planning Law    3.0    SP

POLS    367    Sem: Administration/Planning    3.0    FA

(b) At least 18 units required for the degree in 300-level courses.
(c) 6 additional units of 300-level course work. for a total of 18 units of 300-level courses.
(d) Not more than 6 semester units of transfer and/or Open University credit (correspondence courses and extension course work are not acceptable).
(e) At least 1 unit, but no more than 6 units of GEOG 399, Master’s Study, if completing a thesis or project. No more than 6 units combined of GEOG 389, GEOG 398, and GEOG 399 may be included in the program.

2. Completion and approval of a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination. The thesis or project must be of adequate scope and depth as determined by the faculty adviser and Graduate Advisory Committee in consultation with the student; a public defense of the work is required.
(a) Thesis Plan (Planning): A thesis contains the research and analysis of a historical or theoretical aspect of planning notions or practice. A planning thesis must rest on a thorough review of pertinent literature and on the analysis and presentation of data from primary and/or secondary sources. It must include a description of the study’s results and a discussion of the major conclusions and importance of the work to the field and practice of planning.
(b) Project Plan (Planning): A planning project analyzes some substantial practical problem of an environmental, land use, political, economic, or social planning issue. It must include a workable application of planning practice, such as in the elaboration of an environmental impact report, a specific or general plan, a general plan element, or community development feasibility study. The project will appear as an appendix to an academic discussion of the literature, methodological approach, and of the application of its importance.
(c) Comprehensive Exam Plan (Planning): Comprehensive examinations, although based upon course work, require extensive study past the simple course requirements. These studies will cover four areas agreed upon by the student and the Graduate Advisory Committee. The comprehensive exam will be administered and evaluated by the Graduate Advisory Committee. Exam components will be graded on a pass/fail scale; all components of the exam must receive a passing mark. Exams can only be repeated once and only in the semester following the initial exam. Failing a second time will result in dismissal from the program.

3. Approval by the Graduate Coordinator and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the university.

Graduate Literacy Requirement:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Geography master’s degree students will demonstrate their writing competence by successfully completing GEOG 300. In addition, no thesis or project will be accepted that does not demonstrate a high level of writing proficiency. Errors in structure, grammar, syntax, and spelling are not acceptable and will result in the rejection of the work.

Geography master’s degree students will further demonstrate writing proficiency by successfully completing a specified writing assignment in each graduate seminar. A copy of this work will be placed in the student’s department file.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the approved program plan (with the exceptions of GEOG 389, GEOG 398, and GEOG 399) must be taken for a letter grade. A minimum grade of B is required for any course used as part of the approved program. In addition to the 3.0 GPA required in all program course work, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all course work taken subsequent to admission to conditionally classified status.

While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the university that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester for all graduate students. Conditionally classified and classified students must consult with the Graduate Coordinator; Candidates must consult with the Graduate Coordinator and the committee chair.