Learn more about the Master of Arts in Geography.
About the Program
The Master of Arts program in Geography focuses on geographic approaches to the study of urban and environmental processes and conditions in U.S. and international settings. Our emphasis is on the themes of geographic methods, globalization, social justice and sustainability. We train our students to conduct research that is theoretically informed and empirically grounded along the urban to rural continuum; understand interdisciplinary and integrative analyses of complex human-environmental processes; and specialize in techniques for urban and environmental analysis with an emphasis on GIS, spatial statistics and qualitative methods.
The program prepares students for further study and for careers in academia, business, government, nonprofit organizations, and community organizing and social change efforts, such as economic development, environmental management, geographic systems management, and planning and public policy. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the development of research techniques and analytical skills applicable to problem solving.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years
Campus Location: Main
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Students complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
Interdisciplinary Study: Faculty members in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Urban Studies hold doctoral degrees in environmental science, geography, urban and regional planning, and other social sciences. Even beyond the interdisciplinary expertise of the departmental faculty, the program draws on the expertise of Graduate Faculty conducting research and teaching courses in related departments across the university.
Affiliation(s): The program is affiliated with the Association of American Geographers and the Urban Affairs Association.
Areas of Specialization: Graduate faculty expertise is at the intersection of geographic methods, globalization, social justice and sustainability, including Black and feminist geographies, community-based research, energy geography, geographic information science, geospatial data science, health geography, political ecology, sustainability science, urban analytics, urban and economic geography, and urban studies and public policy. Faculty have regional expertise in North America, Latin America, East and Southeast Asia, and Africa. Faculty networks with academic institutions, community organizations, nongovernmental organizations and public agencies, as well as social movements in Philadelphia and beyond, provide opportunities to actively engage in research.
Job Prospects: Graduates have continued their education by pursuing doctoral degrees in some of the nation's most prestigious PhD programs. Graduates also find employment in public sector agencies that deal with environmental planning, land use and urban problems. In addition, they work for quasi-public social service institutions that address various needs of urban residents, as well as for private sector firms whose business requires an understanding of urban and spatial dynamics.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students may take up to 9 credits prior to matriculation. If accepted into the program, these credits may be applied toward the degree.
Funding Opportunities: Typically, the Department does not provide financial assistance to students at the master's level. Teaching and Research Assistantships are reserved for PhD students.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: March 1
Spring: November 1
Applications may be reviewed prior to the deadlines. Although students are sometimes admitted for the Spring term, the Department encourages applicants to apply for the Fall term since the program sequence is designed to begin at that time.
APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 2
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence. The recommendations may be submitted on the "Reference Report for Graduate Study" or as a traditional letter of recommendation. Letters must be signed and forwarded as a PDF on official letterhead.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: No specific coursework is required as applicants are drawn from a variety of disciplines.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree in any of the social sciences is appropriate. A bachelor's degree in another discipline may also be considered.
Statement of Goals: In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, share why you are interested in Temple's Geography program, your research and academic goals, future career goals, academic and research achievements, and any other information that you believe will be helpful in evaluating your application. The Graduate Admissions Committee is particularly interested in students' interests and goals and whether they fit with our program offerings and faculty interests.
Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Optional. Scores may be submitted if available.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
- TOEFL iBT: 88
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- PTE Academic: 60
Resume: Current resume required.
Writing Sample: At its discretion, the Graduate Admissions Committee may request a writing sample.
Transfer Credit: Applicable graduate coursework may be transferred from outside the University, provided that the credits were obtained no more than five years prior to the student's matriculation at Temple and the grades are "B" or better. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30
Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GUS 5159 | Geographic Inquiry | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Sustainable Natural-Human Systems | ||
| Public Policy for Urban Regions | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| GIS Programming | ||
| Geosimulation | ||
| Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems | ||
| Remote Sensing | ||
| Urban Geographical Information Systems | ||
| Environmental Applications of GIS | ||
| GIS and Location Analysis | ||
| Census Analysis with Geographical Information Systems | ||
| GIS for Health Data Analysis | ||
| Advanced Remote Sensing | ||
| Statistics for Urban Spatial Analysis | ||
| Methodology Courses 1 | 6 | |
| Electives 2 | 12 | |
| Capstone Course | ||
| GUS 8097 | Research Design 3 | 3 |
| or GUS 9085 | Internship in Geography and Urban Studies | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Students select two courses from a departmental list of approved methodology courses.
- 2
Any GUS course at the 5000 level or higher may be taken as an elective. With approval from their advisor and the graduate chair, students may take graduate-level courses outside the department.
- 3
Master's students must have permission from the chair to enroll in GUS 8097.
Culminating Event:
Capstone Course:
Students must complete either an internship or GUS 8097 Research Design.
Accelerated Programs
Undergraduate students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The accelerated pathway for the Geography MA is available to qualified undergraduate students.
Cohort Code: XMAGUS
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.25
Graduate Courses Approved to Count for Both Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Geographic Inquiry | ||
| History and Theory of Urban Studies | ||
| Public Policy for Urban Regions | ||
| Critical Issues in Globalization, Sustainability, and Social Justice | ||
| Select 2 GUS 5000+ electives | 6 | |
- 1
Students pursuing a Geography and Urban Studies BA or an Environmental Studies BA may use two graduate level GUS courses to satisfy major requirements.
Suggested Academic Plan
| Year 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Geographic Inquiry | ||
| History and Theory of Urban Studies | ||
| Public Policy for Urban Regions | ||
| Critical Issues in Globalization, Sustainability, and Social Justice | ||
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| One GUS 5000+ elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Geographic Inquiry | ||
| History and Theory of Urban Studies | ||
| Public Policy for Urban Regions | ||
| Critical Issues in Globalization, Sustainability, and Social Justice | ||
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| One GUS 5000+ elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Admissions Criteria
Candidates for the +1 program must:
- have a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA in at least 60 credits or more towards their undergraduate degree and, if a junior status entrant, must be able to complete their baccalaureate degree within two years of program entry; if a senior status entrant, must be able to complete their undergraduate degree within one year of program entry.
- have passed with a B or higher:
- provide a Statement of Goals (500 to 1,000 words).
- have two letters of support from full-time faculty who can vouch for the student's readiness for graduate work.
- have approval from the student's academic advisor that the student can use the 12 graduate credits towards their undergraduate degree for non-major electives.
- be able to complete the graduate degree in one additional year.
Application link: https://apply.temple.edu/CLA/Pages/Welcome.aspx
Contact Information
Liz Janczewski
lizj@temple.edu
Learn more about the +1 programs in the College of Liberal Arts.
Contacts
Program Web Address:
https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/geography-and-urban-studies-ma-la-gus-ma
Department Information:
Dept. of Geography, Environment, and Urban Studies
308 Gladfelter Hall
1115 W. Polett Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6089
215-204-7692