Degrees

Interested in a graduate degree in geography? See below for PhD and MA admission requirements. 

The Department of Geography, Environment & Society (GES) offers two graduate opportunities in geography:

Graduate Program Coordinator
Sara Braun
612-625-0864
geog-dgs@umn.edu
  • PhD in Geography
    • The PhD in geography is an academic research-oriented degree that primarily focuses on preparing students for academic careers. Many students who already have master’s degrees enter the PhD program; however, as of fall 2015 those who have earned a BA/BS may enter directly into the PhD program without first completing a master’s degree.
  • MA in Geography
    • The MA degree serves students who intend to pursue a professional career or, eventually, an academic career at the University of Minnesota or elsewhere. If upon completing the program they wished to enter the PhD program, they would be required to apply to the program in the same manner as all other applicants.

We also have a professional master of geographic information science degree program.

MGIS Co-Director
Susanna McMaster
612-624-1498
mcmas002@umn.edu
  • Master of Geographic Information Science (MGIS)
    • The MGIS is a professional degree that prepares students in the theoretical, technical, and applications aspects of geographic information science and for careers as GIS professionals and practitioners. Graduate students in other major programs can also pursue a graduate minor in GIS. Many PhD students have also completed the full MGIS degree as a compliment to their doctoral programs.  Additionally, a number of our MGIS graduates have applied to PhD programs at the university or at other institutions.