Geography, MA

Learning goals and student learning outcomes

The following goals and learning outcomes have been established for students pursuing the MA degree in Geography.

Geographic Knowledge

• Demonstrate advanced competency in the theory and methods of human geography.
• Demonstrate advanced competency in the theory and methods of physical geography.
• Demonstrate advanced competency in the theory and methods of geospatial techniques.

Research Skills

• Identify a meaningful geographic research problem.
• Ability to design an appropriate research study.
• Master skills necessary to conduct research using field, quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies.

Professional Development

• Ability to work in multicultural, international and collaborative environments.
• Prepare students for careers in planning, environmental analysis, GIS and mapping; education including community college teaching; or advanced study in Ph.D. programs.

Effective Written and Oral Communication

• Enable students to achieve excellence in geographic writing.
• Enable students to orally present the results of geographic research and analysis.
• Develop and write a scholarly thesis demonstrating mastery of geographic knowledge in a primary area of expertise.