Master of Science in Geography

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

  1. A four-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university.
  2. A GPA of at least 3.00 in all undergraduate work.
  3. A minimum of 9 semester credits of undergraduate coursework in geography, preferably physical geography. An additional 6 credits in the fields cognate to geography are required.
  4. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.
  5. International applicants who have received their bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States or English speaking Canada are not required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS.
  6. Meet all School of Graduate Studies requirements for admission.

Outstanding applicants are evaluated on an individual basis and those with limited background in geography but a distinguished record in another discipline may be accepted in a qualified or provisional status. 

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science in Geography degree (on-campus, thesis or non-thesis option) at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Department of Geography and Geographic Information Science. 

  1. Four required courses:
    GEOG 500Graduate Studies in Geography1
    GEOG 501Geographic Thought Through Time2
    GEOG 576Field Methods and Analysis in Geography3
    GEOG 578Geographic Research and Writing3
    Total Credits9
  2. A minor or cognate area of study, and a graduate program of study that reflects the student’s focus on geography topics (9 credits). Cognate courses must be from at least two academic departments outside Geography.

Thesis (on-campus)

  1. A minimum of 30 semester credits, including 9 semester credits for approved minor or cognate courses.
  2. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
  3. A maximum of one-fourth (usually 8-9 semester credits) of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
  4. Preparation and successful defense of a thesis. (A minimum of 6 credits for GEOG 998 Thesis.)

Non-Thesis (on-campus)

  1. A minimum of 36 semester credits, including 9 semester credits for approved minor or cognate courses.
  2. A minimum of 12 credits that focus upon geospatial skills and techniques which include quantitative methods, computer graphics and mapping, geographic information systems, remote sensing, field methods, and cartography. The non-thesis programs emphasize development of geospatial skills that can be applied to specific problems and projects that may or may not involve research.
  3. Two credits of GEOG 997 Independent Study are required.
  4. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
  5. A maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
  6. Preparation of a written independent study approved by the faculty advisor.
  7. Comprehensive final examination.

Professional Science Master's (PSM) in GISc (online)

This online, non-thesis program integrates the technical skills of the Geographic Information Science (GISc) Master’s degree with the professional workplace skills – professional writing, budgeting, project management, data analytics, among others – necessary to thrive and advance in the workplace.  The GEOG 597 Graduate Internship course also provides a practical-oriented workplace relevant capstone/internship experience. This program is recognized by the National Professional Science Master’s Association. The degree requirements for this program option are different from those for the on-campus options (thesis and non-thesis).

Total number of credits required: 30

1. Eighteen (18) Credits in Geography and GISc 

Required courses (12-15 credits)*
GEOG 471
471L
Cartography and Visualization
and Cartography and Visualization Laboratory
3
GEOG 474
474L
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
and GIS Laboratory
3
GEOG 574Advanced Techniques in Geographic Information Systems3
GEOG 597Graduate Internship (*repeatable to 6 credits)3
Elective courses (3-6 credits)
GEOG 475Digital Image Processing3
GEOG 476Selected Topics in Geographic Information Systems (Python Programming )3
GEOG 476Selected Topics in Geographic Information Systems (Web GIS )3
GEOG 575Seminar in Remote Sensing3

2. Six (6) Credits in Core PSM Quantitative/Analytic Skills Courses

3. Six (6) credits in Core PSM Professional Skills Courses; COMM 516 Principles of Professional Communication
 

Quantitative/Analytic Skills Courses:
EFR 513Large Dataset Management and Analysis3
EFR 515Statistics I3
EFR 516Statistics II3
EFR 518Multivariate Analysis3
EFR 535Data Analytics and Visualization with R3
ENE 530Applied Engineering Business Analysis3
PSYC 540Foundations of Behavioral Data Analytics3
Professional Skills Courses:
COMM 516Principles of Professional Communication3
COMM 524International/Intercultural Communication for Professionals3
COMM 527Persuasion & Persuasive Communication3
COMM 529Science Communication3
ENGL 408Advanced Public and Professional Writing3
ENGL 540Science Writing3
ENGR 554Applied Project Management3
ESSP 562Environmental Economics, Policy and Management3
ESSP 570Communicating Environmental Information3
ENE 533Project Dynamics & Strategy Modeling3
POLS 532Public Policy3
POLS 533Administrative Ethics in the Public Sector3