California State University, Northridge

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                                      - Graduate Degree -
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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
                           

Option 2: Geography 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, Analysis, and
        Research - 3 units  
    b. Seminars in Geographic Visualization (9 units)
      Select three courses from 690A-H, 695A
        Other 600-level seminar (3 units)
        Additional GIS courses (Select any two 400-level courses, as specified below) (6 units)
        Two courses from:
          GEOG 406 Advanced GIS
          GEOG 407 Remote Sensing/Lab
GEOG 408 Applications in GIS
          GEOG 409 Computer Mapping/Lab
    c. Statistics (3 units)
        GEOG 460/L Spacial Analysis and Comparison/Lab
    d. Thesis Preparation
        GEOG 696 Directed Geographic Research - 3 units
        GEOG 698 Thesis - 3 units
   
  Submission of a thesis approved by a departmental faculty
    committee.
                           

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) 677-2374.

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.

Registration fees per semester for graduate students at CSUN (although subject to change
by the Trustees of the California State University) are currently about $631 for 6 or less
units and about $946 for 7 or more units.

- Graduate Advisor -

For questions about the graduate program, please contact Dr. Edward Jackiewicz,
Graduate Advisor, at (818) 677-4565 or via email at ed.jackiewicz@csun.edu

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