Graduate Program
The Department of Geography offers two options within its Master of Arts degree program.
Option 1, the Standard Program, provides the student with a high degree of flexibility in the selection of courses used to meet the program requirements. Courses may be selected from any of the graduate offerings in geomorphology, climatology, plant geography, economic geography, cultural geography, urban geography, regional geography, cartography, and geographic information science. This option prepares students for advanced Ph.D. study, community college teaching, and professional careers in business, government, or industry.
Option 2, offers a highly structured specialization in Geographic Information Science, where most of the requirements are met with graduate courses dealing with various aspects of GIS. This option is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in this highly technological subfield of geography.
Requirements For Admission To The Department
1. One of the following:
a. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or better
b. A score at or above the 50th percentile on two of the three portions of the aptitude test of the Graduate Record exam c. A graduate degree in another field from CSUN or another accredited institution
2. At least a 2.75 GPA in the last 60 units attempted Classified and Conditionally Classified Status
1. Requirements for Classified Status
a. One of the following:
1) An undergraduate major in Geography
2) Demonstrated competence in human geography, physical geography, and cartography or map interpretation, as determined by the departmental Graduate Committee
b. A passing score (8 or higher) on the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE)
2. Conditionally Classified Status
a. If the requirements for classified status are not met at the time of application, the student will be admitted as Conditionally Classified, pending completion of the requirements, which include the completion of prerequisite courses in the areas of identified deficiencies and/or the UDWPE
b. No more than 12 units of work taken prior to attaining Classified status may be applied to the Master's Program Requirements For The Master of Arts Degree Option
1: Geography / Standard Program
1. Completion of the following courses ( a total of 30 units, with a GPA of 3.00 or better):
a. Introductory Seminar GEOG 600 Geographic Thought, Analysis and Research - 3 units
b. Additional Seminars (five 600-level courses to be chosen by student - 15 units
c. Electives (400 or 600-level courses to be chosen by student, with approval - 6 units
d. Thesis Preparation GEOG 696 Directed Geographic Research - 3 units GEOG 698 Thesis - 3 units
2. Competence in a relevant foreign language, statistics, or an advanced geographic technique
3. Submission of a thesis approved by a departmental faculty committee
Geography Information Science Specialization Program
OPTION 2: Geography / Geographic Information Science Specialization Program
1. Completion of the following courses (a total of 30 units, with a GPA of 3.00 or better):
a. Introductory Seminar: GEOG 600 Geographic Thought (3 units)
b. Seminars in Geographic Visualization (three 600-level courses for a total of 9 units)
c. Other Seminar (600 level) for a total of 3 units.
d. . Additional GIS courses (two 400 level courses) for a total of 6 units.
e. Thesis Preparation:
GEOG 696 Directed Geographic Research (3 units)
GEOG 698 Thesis (3 units)
2. Competence in statistics or a geographic technique (see Section VI)
3. Submission of a thesis approved by a departmental faculty committee (see Section VII)
The University operates under a semester system, and this M. A. program is designed to be completed in four semesters or two years. Part-time students may take longer to complete the requirements (up to the university-imposed maximum of seven years). - Financial Assistance - A number of financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, and loans are available through the University's Financial Aid Office to assist graduate students whose resources are inadequate to cover total educational costs. Applications for fall semester aid should be submitted before May 1. Information can be acquired by calling (818) 677-3532.
In addition, the Department of Geography offers a limited number of part-time Teaching Associate jobs that entail the teaching of laboratory sections of a few lower division and upper division courses. Other part-time employment within the Department is also sometimes available. A few small financial prizes are also awarded to outstanding students every year.
Graduate Advisor
For questions about the graduate program, please contact Dr. James Craine, Graduate Advisor, at (818) 677-3520 or via email at jwc53531@csun.edu
Graduate Admissions Application Online