Graduate Programs

Geography and Environmental Planning Degree (M.A)

• Newly admitted graduate students must take diagnostic examinations to demonstrate their knowledge of basic physical and human geography. Diagnostic examinations are administered during the fall and spring semesters. The examinations are used for advising purposes, and to determine whether students are competent or deficient in their mastery of basic geographical knowledge. Should any deficiencies be noted, a course of study will be prescribed by the graduate studies committee. This course of study must be successfully completed before candidates are approved for graduation.
  
• Evidence of quantitative competency. Successful completion of GEOG 375/516 Quantitative Methods in Geography, or an approved equivalent, plus at least one other approved course in computer techniques, statistics, or mathematics are assumed to constitute quantitative competency.
  
• All degree candidates must meet with their academic advisers to file intended programs of study. This should be done prior to, or during, the first semester of course work. The program can be amended in consultation with the adviser.
  
• All graduate students must complete the following Required (12 units):
  • GEOG 601 - Seminar on Geographical Perspectives (to be taken the first year of graduate study) (3)
  • GEOG 621 - Research Techniques (to be taken the first year of graduate study) (3)
  • One 600-level human geography seminar or course on any of the following topics: regional, economic, urban, hazards, human ecology, or other course approved by the program director.
  • One 600-level physical or environmental geography seminar or course on any of the following topics: advanced physical geography, environmental impacts of land use, water resources, or other course approved by the program director.
  • Courses that satisfy the advanced human and physical/environmental requirements do not include planning-oriented and techniques-oriented courses or seminars.
  • Graduate students may pursue either a thesis or non-thesis plan of study.

Plan A: Master of Arts with Thesis (minimum 36 units)

• Core Requirements (12 units)
• GEOG 898 - Thesis (6 units)
• Planned Elective Courses (18 units)

Plan B: Master of Arts without Thesis (minimum 36 units)

• Core Requirements (12 units)
• Planned Elective Courses (24 units)
• The non-thesis option requires the presentation of a research paper before the graduate faculty or at an approved professional meeting. The paper must be submitted to the graduate committee for approval for presentation. The graduate faculty will judge the quality of both the paper and the presentation, and vote as to whether the student's presentation satisfactorily meets the requirement. If the presentation is judged as unacceptable, the student may re-present the paper at a later date set by the faculty.

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GLOBAL SKILLS: COMBINED BACHELORS MASTERS PROGRAM:

The combined Global Skills Bachelors - Masters degree program in Geography is designed to allow students to complete combined undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years. Unlike our existing M.A. degree programs, this program is open only to existing undergraduates pursuing the Global Skills track in Geography. As such, all the requirements for that program are also requirements for this MA. This is a non-thesis track. However, students will be required to write a final research paper based on their internship and their area of focus within Global Skills.

Admission Requirements

Students may apply for this program in the second term of their junior year. Such students must have completed a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 96 units in their undergraduate programs, including credits earned from advanced placement. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters as full time students at Towson University.

A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25 overall and in the major, at the time of application, is required for full admission to the program. All GPA calculations for admission are based upon the last 60 units of undergraduate study. Continuance in the MA program is contingent upon maintaining these GPA levels, and students who fall below them will be ineligible to continue graduate work. Students must receive a grade of B or better in the double-counted graduate-level courses.

Degree Requirements:

Nine units taken at the 500 and 600 level in the senior year will be counted towards fulfilling the 33 units required for the MA.

GEOG 401 will not be required for the undergraduate portion of this program, unless for some reason the student does not proceed to the MA, in which case GEOG 401 remains a required core course. Students continuing into the combined degree program will take GEOG 601 only.

Bachelors degree will be awarded after all degree requirements for the Bachelors are met, which should normally be at the end of the fourth year;

Students who do not successfully complete the Bachelors portion of this track, or whose GPAs do not meet the requirements for this track, may not proceed to the MA-level unless such deficiencies are resolved.

Students who complete the Bachelors but decide not to continue with the MA program will terminate their program with the fulfillment of all requirements for the Bachelors degree. Students may withdraw from the combined Bachelors - Masters degree program in Geography and Environmental Planning at any time, by informing the Chairperson and Graduate Program Director in writing.

A student who does not follow the approved plan of graduate work may become ineligible to participate in this combined degree program.

If a student becomes ineligible to participate in the combined program, the Geography Graduate Director will inform the student in writing;

A student who is ineligible to participate in or who withdraws from the combined degree program cannot double-count any courses for both Bachelors and Masters degrees.

Required Courses (6 units):

Planned Elective Courses (18-21 units):
9 units will count towards satisfying requirements of both the Bachelors and MA programs. 3 units may be taken outside the discipline of Geography, with approval of the Graduate adviser.

Internship (3-6 units)
GEOG 796 Internship in Global Skills Students taking the Global Skills accelerated MA program will need to undertake an internship, usually in the summer after the senior year. This can be for either three or six units.

Research (3 units)
GEOG 797 Internship in Global Skills (3-6)
Students taking this course will enroll in an internship with a governmental or non-governmental organization whose work is concerned with issues of international scope. This course is open only to students in the accelerated Masters program in Geography, and who have taken GEOG 621- Research Methods. Students enrolled in GEOG 796 must have a faculty supervisor overseeing their internship.

For information on all matters related to admissions, fees, or registration, please contact the Graduate School at 410-704-2501.

College of Graduate Studies and Research
7800 York Road, Suite 216

Phone: 410-704-2501
Fax: 410-704-4675
E-mail: grads@towson.edu