Geography Graduate Programs (GEOG)
Offered through the Department of Geography, Planning and Community Development
in the School of Public Affairs
359 Stewart Hall
Phone: 320.308.3160
Fax: 320.308.1660
E-mail: geog@stcloudstate.edu
Web site: www.stcloudstate.edu/geog
Department Chairperson: Dr. David Wall
Department Secretary: Ms. Barb Hartkopf
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Mikhail Blinnikov
Graduate Faculty: Baker, Blinnikov, Elaksher, John, Richason, Torguson, Wall, Wixon, Yu
Employers
Graduates seek employment in both private and public settings, including State and local agencies.
Admission Requirements Specific to the Program
- Admission decisions are made as completed application files are received.
- The GRE is required.
- Students must have met the minimum GPA requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies at St. Cloud State University.
- Students should have completed at least an undergraduate minor in geography. In some cases, the applicant may be required to complete additional undergraduate work even though they may have completed a minor or major in geography.
- Applicants who do not have at least an undergraduate minor in geography may be admitted conditionally, subject to completion of specific undergraduate courses in geography as determined by the department.
- Teaching applicants will complete the program described below.
- Teaching applicants who do not have a background in teacher education should confer with the department chairperson.
Application Deadlines Specific to the Program
Length of Program — Measured by Semesters
- Part-time student: five semesters taking six credits per semester.
- Full-time student: four semesters taking nine credits per semester.
- The program has been designed to accommodate both part-time and full-time students.
- Full-time students must expect to complete part of their course load in evening classes.
Graduate Assistantship Overview
- Two graduate assistantship positions are generally sponsored each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.
- Graduate assistants do a variety of activities, including assisting instructors in the GIS teaching lab and in auditorium classes, and working with faculty members on various research projects. Application due dates vary, but assistantship decisions are made before the end of spring semester.
Employers
- Graduates seek employment in both private and public settings, including state and local agencies.
Specializations
Each student may choose one of three specializations:
- Geography (This specialization is no longer available to new applicants.)
- Geography: Geographic Information Science emphasis
- Geography: Tourism Planning and Development emphasis
Degrees and Plans Offered
- Master of Science: Geography, Plan A (Thesis) at 30 credits. (This track is closed to new applicants.)
- Master of Science: Geography, Plan B (Starred Paper) at 32 credits. (This track is closed to new applicants.)
- Master of Science: Geography, Plan C (Portfolio) at 36 credits. (This track is closed to new applicants.)
- Master of Science: GIS, Plan A (Thesis) at 30 credits
- Master of Science: GIS, Plan B (Starred Paper) at 33 credits
- Master of Science: Geography: Tourism Planning and Development, Plan A (Thesis) at 30 credits
- Master of Science: Geography: Tourism Planning and Development, Plan B (Starred Paper) at 32 credits
Certification Available in Geographic Information Science
- The GIS certificate is available for students who wish advanced study in geographic techniques.
- The certificate may be awarded regardless of completion of a master's degree. See details at the end of this section.
Program Overview — Master of Science in Geography
- The Master of Science in Geography prepares individuals for professional employment in both public and private sectors.
- The M.S. is flexible, and students can choose to focus on aspects of physical/environmental geography, or human geography concentrating on urban/regional issues, or a combination of the two (particularly useful for 5-12 teachers seeking an M.S. in a content area).
- The tourism planning and development emphasis provides opportunities for students seeking to further their study of tourism, including eco-tourism development, and destination marketing.
Master of Science — Geography
The Master of Science in Geography has been closed. Admission applications are not being accepted. Students are encouraged to explore the Master of Science in Geography: Geographic Information System or the Master of Science in Geography: Tourism Planning and Development. Please contact the School of Graduate Studies for additional information.
Plan A, 30 credits; Plan B, 32 credits; Plan C, 36 credits
Research Courses
Plan A, 6-12 credit minimum; Plan B or Plan C, 3 credit minimum
- GEOG 610. Research Process in Geography, 3 credits
- GEOG 699. Thesis, 6 credits (Plan A only).
Core Courses
Plan A, 12 credit minimum; Plan B or Plan C, 16 credit minimum
- Advanced study in subject matter, methods, materials, and curriculum.
Professional Education Courses
Plan A or Plan B, 6 credit minimum
- Credits to be chosen with the approval of the professional education advisor.
Elective Courses
Plan A, 3-6 credit minimum; Plan B, 6 credits minimum; Plan C, 3 credit minimum
- Credits to be chosen with the approval of the graduate advisor.
Educational Foundation Courses
3 credit minimum (Plan C only)
- Students will select from a list developed by the School of Education.
Educational Applications and Implementations
9 credit minimum (Plan C only)
- Workshops, practicums, internships, school curriculum development, special projects related to the teaching
assignment. Approval of the graduate advisor is needed.
NOTE: At least one-half of the master of science degree program must be earned in 600-level graduate courses.
Master of Science — Geography: Geographic Information Science Emphasis
Plan A, 30 credits; Plan B, 33 credits
Research Courses
Plan A, 9 credit minimum; Plan B, 3 credit minimum
- GEOG 610. Research Process in Geography, 3 credits
- GEOG 699. Thesis, 6 credits (Plan A only)
Core Courses
Plan A, 18 credit minimum; Plan B, 18 credit minimum
- GEOG 506. Thematic Cartography, 3 credits
- GEOG 507. Map Design and Presentation, 3 credits
- GEOG 516. Techniques in GIS, 3 credits
- GEOG 550. Digital Image Processing, 3 credits
- GEOG 562. Concepts in Spatial Analysis, 3 credits
- GEOG 605. Spatial Analysis Methods in Geography, 3 credits
Elective Courses
Plan A, 3 credit minimum; Plan B, 12 credit minimum
- Students should select electives in collaboration with the graduate advisor.
NOTE: At least one-half of the master of science degree program must be earned in 600-level graduate courses.
Master of Science — Geography: Tourism Planning and Development Emphasis
Plan A, 30 credits; Plan B, 32 credits
Research Courses
Plan A, 6-12 credit minimum; Plan B, 3 credit minimum
- GEOG 610. Research Process in Geography, 3 credits
- GEOG 699. Thesis, 6 credits (Plan A only)
Core Courses
Plan A, 12 credit minimum; Plan B, 18 credit minimum
- GEOG 596. Tourism and the Environment, 3 credits
- GEOG 601. Research in Geography (Tourism Emphasis), 1-6 credits
- GEOG 654. Urban, Regional and Resource Planning, 3 credits
- GEOG 630. Seminar (Tourism Emphasis), 3 credits
Elective Courses
Plan A, 3-6 credit minimum; Plan B, 3-6 credit minimum
- At least one-half of the master of science degree program must be earned in 600-level graduate courses.
Geographic Information Science Certificate
A geographic information science certificate is available through course work completed at the graduate level within the geography department. To be admitted to the certificate program, students must apply for admission through the School of Graduate Studies.
Admission Requirements Specific to the Program
- For admission consideration to the program, a candidate must first meet the minimum GPA admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies at St. Cloud State University.
- Apply for admission to the GIS Graduate Certificate Program through the School of Graduate Studies.
- The GRE is not required for certificate admission consideration.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
- An undergraduate major or minor in geography is not required.
- Students may be required to complete an undergraduate level software applications course in geography prior to enrolling in graduate-level courses.
- Students from disciplines other than geography that utilize GIS techniques are particularly encouraged to apply to the GIS certificate program.
- Twelve of the 15 credits may be counted in the master’s degree program.
- Admission decisions are made throughout the year, as completed application files are received. Students may start the program fall, spring and summer terms.
Application Deadlines Specific to the Program
Graduate Certificate—Geographic Information Science
15 credits
- GEOG 506. Thematic Cartography, 3 credits
- GEOG 507. Map Design and Presentation, 3 credits
- GEOG 516. Techniques in GIS, 3 credits
- GEOG 550. Digital Image Processing, 3 credits
- GEOG 562. Concepts in Spatial Analysis, 3 credits
Gainful Employment
Certain graduate certificates at St. Cloud State University prepare students for employment in specific fields and do not result in a degree. Federal law requires publication of data associated with those programs of study, including approximate program costs, program length, and employment statistics. The Minnesota State Colleges and University's (MnSCU) Chancellor's office has provided this report containing the aforementioned information for all required programs.
