Admission Requirements

M.S. Degree Program

The Department of Geography welcomes applicants with a strong background in physical/human geography, natural/social sciences, environmental sciences or studies, and/or geospatial technologies. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for our M.S. and Ph.D. programs. Some general guidelines are as given below:

• Grade Point Average (GPA): There is no minimum GPA to be considered as an applicant, but most incoming students have GPAs well above 3.00.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE): We do NOT require GRE scores to apply.
• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. The recommendation letters are important. Choose recommenders who can adequately and fairly assess your potential, both as a student and a researcher.
• TOEFL or IELTS: International applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS. For the TOEFL, a minimum score of 80 (internet-based) is required. For IELTS, a score of 6.0 or better is required.

M.S. Required Application Materials:

• Application including statement of purpose
• CV/resume
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (International applicants only)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcripts

PH.D. Program

The Department of Geography welcomes applicants with a strong background in physical/human geography, natural/social sciences, environmental sciences or studies and/or geospatial technologies. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for our M.S. and Ph.D. programs, however, individuals do not need an M.S. to apply for the Ph.D. program. Some general guidelines are as given below:

• Grade Point Average (GPA): There is no minimum GPA to be considered as an applicant, but most incoming students have GPAs well above 3.00.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE): We do NOT require GRE scores to apply.
• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. The recommendation letters are important. Choose recommenders who can adequately and fairly assess your potential, both as a student and a researcher.
• TOEFL or IELTS: International applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS. For the TOEFL, a minimum score of 80 (Internet-based) is required. For IELTS, a score of 6.0 or better is required.

PH.D. Required Application Materials:

• Application including statement of purpose
• CV/resume
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (International applicants only)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcripts