Graduate Program

The Department of Geography offers a program of study leading to the Master of Science degree in geographical studies. Our program offers two professional tracks. Our non-thesis option (36 hours of course work culminating in comprehensive exams) is designed for the professional geographer seeking a terminal degree and a career in industry requiring spatial skills, or for geography teachers in public schools and community colleges. Our thesis option with its intensive course structure is designed to further stimulate scientific inquiry for those persons who may intend to pursue a doctoral program at other institutions.

The objective of the graduate curriculum in geography at SIUE is to produce graduates with:
(a) a functional understanding of the field of geography and an in-depth knowledge in one or more areas of departmental competence;
(b) the pertinent geographic skills and knowledge which are applied in resolving contemporary spatial problems; and
(c) proficiency in geographic research methods and skills in critical thinking and writing.

The graduate program is organized around eight areas that reflect the interests and competencies of the graduate faculty. These are Cartography-GIS/Remote Sensing, Climatology, Biogeography, Historical-Cultural Geography, K-12 / Geographic Education, Landforms-Hydrology/Environmental Geography, Political Geography/Hazard Vulnerability, and Urban Economic Planning/Economic Development. With the assistance of the graduate coordinator, Dr. Starr, students are encouraged to structure their programs around one of these areas and to work closely with graduate faculty having similar interests.

APPLICATION

Students wishing to apply to apply to the Master's degree program within the Department of Geography at SIUE must follow the application procedures of both the Graduate School and the department.

Procedures for applying to the graduate school can be found at the http://www.siue.edu/graduate

Procedures for applying to the Department of Geography Master's program consist of remitting the departmental application form (including a list of pertinent educational experience, a transcript, a brief statement describing what you hope to gain from this program and how it will help you achieve your long-range objectives, and a brief summary of your past work experience and other activities you consider relevant to your career goals) and having three individuals familiar with your training or work return reference forms. All departmental application materials should be returned to the department by the same deadlines specified on the Graduate School website although earlier is always better. Those applicants who request a graduate assistantship on their departmental application form should return all materials by the end of January to ensure consideration for a fall semester assistantship.

Note: We do not process applications at the departmental level until you have been accepted by the graduate school.

ADMISSION

Admission is open to geography and non-geography majors with baccalaureate degrees satisfying the general requirements of the Graduate School. Non-geography majors and, in some cases, geography majors may be required to take prerequisites before beginning the graduate program. Courses taken to remedy any deficiencies will not count as part of the regular program. In addition, the graduate program in geography requires applicants to have at least an over-all grade point average of 2.8 (A=4.0). Applicants who do not meet the required grade point average will be considered if acceptable scores are demonstrated on the Graduate Record Examination.
Students are required to maintain a minimum over-all grade point average of 3.0. If a student earns a grade of "C" or below in a graduate level course he or she will be placed on academic probation. Any student earning two grades of "C" or below in the program will be dropped from the geography graduate program, regardless of GPA.
To facilitate the process of student advising and guidance, all applicants must submit a one-page written statement of their graduate education and study plan along with their graduate admissions forms.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Each graduate student, regardless of option selected, must declare a subject area s/he wishes to emphasize. Those in the thesis option must take at least one course (3 credit hours) in their emphasis area as part of the elective package, while those in the non-thesis option must take at least two courses (6 credit hours). During the second semester of study, each student must select a subject area advisor and fill out the subject area advisor form to obtain approval from him/her as well as the Graduate Advisor.

Thesis Option:
A minimum of 30 hours is required for the Master of Science, of which 21 semester hours must be geography graduate-level courses. In addition, at least one half of the required 30 credit hours must be earned at the 500 level.

Required courses (12 hours) include:
Geog 520 - Research Methods in Geography
Geog 521 - Contemporary Philosophy and Explanations in Geography
Geog 522 - Techniques in Geography
One seminar in Geography (either Geog 500, 510, 525, 526, 530)
GEOG 599 (3 to 6 credit hours) - Candidates must complete a thesis while enrolled in this course.

Electives (12 to 15 hours) are additional courses that should be related to the student's needs and interests, and faculty expertise.

Non-Thesis Option:
A minimum of 36 hours is required for the Master of Science, of which 24 hours must be geography graduate-level courses. In addition, at least one half of the 36 required credits must be earned at the 500 level.

Required courses (15 hours) include:
Geog 520 - Research Methods in Geography
Geog 521 - Contemporary Philosophy and Explanations in Geography
Geog 522 - Techniques in Geography
Geog 597 - Preparatory Reading
One seminar in Geography (Either Geog 500, 510, 525, 526 or 530)

Electives (21 hours) are additional courses that should be related to the student's needs and interests, and faculty expertise.

EXIT REQUIREMENTS

Thesis Option:
The final oral examination will be conducted by the candidate's committee. This examination will cover the content of the thesis as well as the fundamental concepts of the discipline as stated in the program's objectives.

Non-Thesis Option:
The candidate must register for GEOG 597 (Preparatory Reading) and take a final written comprehensive examination. This examination will consist of a segment that covers the content of the graduate level core courses taken, as well as fundamental concepts of the discipline as stated in the program's objectives, a segment covering her/his declared specialty area, and a directed research problem.

CAREER OUTLOOK

Former students of the masters program in Geographical Studies at SIUE have usually found employment related to their area of interest. Some examples include: The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), U.S.G.S., Soil Conservation Service, H.U.D., Missouri Department of Conservation, Parsons Corporation, U.S. Park Service, Union Electric, Peabody Coal, U.S. Army Corp, Illinois Department of Transportation. Some students have gone on to successfully complete Ph.D. programs at other universities.

Email the Department's Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Starr (mstarr@siue.edu)

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URL: http://www.siue.edu/GEOGRAPHY/Grad/Grad.htm
Published by: SIUE Department of Geography
Last update: August 10, 2007 by webmaster