Program Availability
The Master of Arts (MA) in Geography is a traditional, on-campus program offered on the Indiana State University campus in Terre Haute, Indiana. The program is open to U.S. and international applicants who satisfy admission requirements.
Why Choose the Geography Master’s Program at Indiana State?
The Geography MA is a flexible, interdisciplinary degree that offers you excellent opportunities to develop professional skills in spatial analysis, geography, and sustainability. You will deepen your understanding of global issues and prepare for advanced roles in urban planning, environmental management, and geographic information systems (GIS).
Gain Valuable Research Experience
The Geography MA combines exciting interdisciplinary coursework with opportunities to pursue research under the guidance of faculty mentors in Geosciences, Anthropology, Geography, and GIS/Remote Sensing.
Our program emphasizes hands-on learning in the field and the lab, with a focus on applied, interdisciplinary research in specialized areas such as environmental geology, geochemistry, geoarchaeology, biogeochemistry, oceanography, geomorphology, climatology, paleoclimatology, paleoecology, paleoceanography, dendrochronology, biogeography, paleolimnology, and geobiology.
Alumni Mentor Program
Networking and connecting with alumni who have similar interests is a key tool for success. The advice and interaction that our Alumni Mentor Program offers will help you prepare for job searches and a successful career. We strongly encourage graduate students to take advantage of this program.
Learn from Our Excellent Faculty
The Department of Earth and Environmental Systems is staffed with full-time tenured/tenure-track graduate faculty with teaching and research experience covering a range of environmental and geoscience topics.
Areas of specialization include, but are not limited to: environmental geology, environmental modeling, biogeochemistry, oceanography, environmental sensing, environmental justice, remote sensing, GIS, urban geography, cultural geography, dendrochronology, quaternary paleoecology, and paleoclimatology.
Research Facilities and Funding
Research funding comes primarily from federal and Indiana state agencies and private industry. Teaching assistantships are available. The department has well-equipped research facilities, and faculty members and graduate students work with scientists from other departments at the University and with colleagues from other universities and government agencies.
Research facilities include laboratories for: remote sensing/GIS; climatology; urban environment and sustainability; environmental geology; biogeochemistry; geomorphology; biogeography; spatial analysis; paleoceanography; marine science; micropaleontology; sedimentary petrology; dendrochronology; geoarchaeology; archaeology, and bioanthropology.
What You’ll Learn in the Geography Program
You will complete core coursework plus electives from the geosciences or allied scientific disciplines that focus on topics in environmental sciences, geochemistry, geoarchaeology, geosciences, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, geobiology, GIS/remote sensing, and evolution (to be determined in consultation with the student’s advisor).
In addition, you will complete a thesis or a culminating experience.
Assistantships and Scholarships
Many graduate students receive some form of financial assistance, including scholarships, fellowships, and federal financial aid. In addition, graduate assistantships (GAs) enable students to work on campus for up to 20 hours a week and include a stipend and partial tuition waiver. GA positions are highly competitive.
Career Possibilities for Geography Graduates
The Geography MA provides the strong background needed to pursue professional careers in government and private geoscience agencies, or to continue graduate studies at the doctoral level.
Our graduates are extremely successful in securing university-level academic positions as well as high-salaried, decision-making positions with agencies include the U.S. Geological Survey; NASA; Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Department of Agriculture; CIA; ESRI, Inc.; ERDAS, Inc.; British Geological Survey; Indiana Geological Survey; Indiana Department of Environmental Management; Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and environmental firms.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage was $87,480 in May 2022.
Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 6%, with a median annual wage of $76,480 in May 2022. Employment of geographers is projected to remain steady from 2022 to 2032. The median annual wage was $88,900 in May 2022.
Admission Requirements and Instructions
To be assured of consideration for admission, all application materials must be submitted by January 15 (for Fall entry) or November 1 (for Spring entry). To ensure consideration for funding, applications must be submitted by the Fall deadline, as funding is typically determined by the Fall deadline each academic year. Conditional admission for missing documents is not granted.
Note: It must not be assumed that meeting minimal standards guarantees admission to the program.
Admission Requirements and Information
Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a regionally accredited institution (for international students, a degree granted by a recognized institution).
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 grade point average in all undergraduate coursework; or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework; or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the applicant’s major field of study; or a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses taken at the graduate level.
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required.
Application should include a current curriculum vitae and a personal statement/letter of intent that describes in detail your research interests and academic career goals and indicates the faculty member(s) you would like to work with. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for Graduate Assistantship funding and a tuition fee waiver in your statement.
Application should include three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic, research, and/or fieldwork record. Important: Have the names and email addresses of your references available at the time that you are completing your admission application as you will need to enter them in the online application. Explain to your references that they will receive an email from Indiana State University requesting that they submit a letter of recommendation. Please ensure that your references expect to receive this request. It will be sent to your references immediately upon completing the application.
Applicants may also submit abstracts, conference posters, or writing samples.
Application Instructions
The following are application instructions and deadlines for the Geography MA Program.
How to Apply
Complete your online application for program admission at apply.indstate.edu/portal/apply?tab=overview.
Submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from the college attended to: Graduate Admissions, Indiana State University, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. E-transcripts should be sent to admissions@indstate.edu.
Submit a nonrefundable application fee of $45.00 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) or $65.00 (international students) payable by Visa, MasterCard, or check or money order payable to Indiana State University. Submit payment to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809.
Submit the following as part of the online application process.
- Names and email addresses of three individuals who will write letters of reference
- A personal statement/letter of intent
- A current curriculum vitae
- Optional supplemental documents: Abstracts, conference posters, or writing samples
International applicants must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or provide equivalent evidence of language proficiency. Submit scores to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. For important information, see Instructions for International Students.
Next Steps
Once admitted, students receive notification from the University as well as their University ID number needed to activate their University Username on the MyISU Portal. The Portal offers access to online registration, University records, and other important University services, including email and University announcements.
Note: Returning ISU students must apply for re-admission if they have not attended Indiana State University for more than two calendar years.
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Geography (MA)
Master's
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Spatial and Earth Sciences (PhD)
Doctoral