Degrees
The Department of Geography, Environment & Society (GES) offers five graduate opportunities.
PhD in Geography
The PhD in Geography at the University of Minnesota is a research-focused degree designed to prepare students for academic and research careers. While many students enter the program with a master’s degree, those with a BA/BS can also apply directly without completing a master’s first.
The program reflects the broad scope of the discipline, encompassing human geography, physical geography, nature-society relationships, and geographic information science. Faculty and students engage in teaching and research across these areas, focusing on key themes such as culture, place, and flow; environmental change; geovisualization; globalization and development; governance, citizenship, and justice; and nature-society interactions.
With a highly individualized structure and minimal requirements, the program allows students to work closely with advisers to to design a program tailored to their goals.
Click here to view the full PhD requirements on Coursedog.
MA in Geography
The MA in Geography is a strong foundation for launching your academic career and exploring advanced research in the field. It prepares students for both professional roles and further academic pursuits at the University of Minnesota or beyond.
This highly individualized degree allows students to work closely with advisors to tailor their studies to their specific educational and professional goals. Areas of focus include physical geography, human geography, and geographic information science.
Click here to view the full MA requirements on Coursedog.
Master of Geographic Information Science (MGIS)
The Master of Geographic Information Science (MGIS) is a rigorous professional degree that equips students with a strong foundation in the theory, technology, and applications of GIScience. The program prepares graduates for impactful careers as GIS professionals and practitioners.
Many PhD students have completed the MGIS degree to complement their doctoral studies, further enhancing their expertise. Additionally, numerous MGIS graduates have successfully pursued PhD programs at the University of Minnesota and other institutions, demonstrating the program’s solid preparation for advanced academic and professional development.
Click here to view the full MGIS requirements on Coursedog.
Graduate Minor in Geography
Students in our minor program have a strong interest in this rapidly growing and influential area of scholarship. The minor could reflect the intellectual breadth of the discipline by experiencing courses across the broad areas of human geography, physical geography, nature-society relationships, and geographic information systems, or it could focus on one of these aspects of the Department of Geography, Environment & Society.
Click here to view the full Geography Graduate Minor requirements on Coursedog.
Graduate Minor in GIS
The graduate minor in GIS allows students to develop depth in spatial analysis that complements their discipline-specific knowledge. Completing this minor will improve your marketability and opportunities for intellectual and professional development.
The master's minor requires at least 9 credits (3 courses) while the doctoral minor requires at least 12 credits. Students interested in completing the MGIS minor should contact the director of graduate studies for the MGIS Program. More information about the minor can be found on the MGIS Program website.
Click here to view the full GIS Graduate Minor requirements on the MGIS Program website.