Auburn Bulletin 2023-2024

Geography — MS

Graduate study in geography is directed toward the master of science degree. The MS degree provides an advanced understanding of key geographical concepts of space, scale, and distance in human and physical processes along with training in advanced geospatial analysis in preparation for employment in industry and government or further academic pursuits. The curriculum is oriented toward a broad applied geographic training with opportunity for specialization through electives, directed studies, and thesis or capstone research.

Admission into the master’s program requires a bachelor’s degree in geography or related discipline from an accredited institution, an acceptable undergraduate GPA, satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination general test, and three letters of recommendation. Undergraduate course deficiencies may be required and can be made up during the student’s first year in the degree program.

The thesis option MS degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours and the successful completion of a thesis. The 30 hours include:

CodeTitleHours
GEOG 6800Geographic Thought3
GEOG 6700Quant Meth & Spatial Analysis3
Graduate-level Geography Courses6
Graduate Level Electives 118
Total Hours30


The non-thesis option requires a minimum of 39 semester hours and the successful completion of a comprehensive written and oral examination by the faculty committee. The 39 hours include:

CodeTitleHours
GEOG 6800Geographic Thought3
GEOG 6700Quant Meth & Spatial Analysis3
Graduate Level Electives 133
Total Hours39