Master degree in Geography? Distance...

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Orson, May 7, 2009.

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  1. Orson

    Orson New Member

    Does anyone offer the Master's degree in Geography? Distance?

    Or at least the option to have a concentration in geography?

    The only one I know of is Fort Hays State MLA
    http://www.fhsu.edu/mls/conc/index.shtml
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2009
  2. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    There are numerous online MSGIS (Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems) programs available, but I'm guess that you're looking for traditional geography degrees.

    I found the following program that might be of interest to you:

    Texas State University - Master of Applied Geography with an emphasis in Geographic Education


    Also, check out schools in the U.K., Australia and South Africa.


    Best of luck!

    Tom
     
  3. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Bears' Guide lists the University of London www.lon.ac.uk, the University of Melbourne www.unimelb.edu.au, the University of New England www.une.edu.au, and the University of South Africa www.unisa.ac.za. If Geography Education works for you, you can add Brunel University www.brunel.ac.uk and Mississippi State University www.msstate.edu to your list. Looks like someone upthread beat me to the Texas State San Marcos program, but I'm still trying to decompress from a three-day weekend with my parents.
     
  4. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Would one of these meet your needs?

    You could earn the Excelsior MALS with a self designed geography track
    https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_of_Liberal_Arts/Master_of_Arts_Degree_in_Liberal_Studies/MA_LS_Program_Description

    Prescott has an MA in Environmental Studies
    http://www.prescott.edu/academics/map/areas.html#es
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  6. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

  7. Orson

    Orson New Member

    Ian~

    Although the curricula for the London Certificate in Geographical and Environment is - as usual - quite wonderful, it is undergraduate certificate. In other words, it is not graduate (or Post-Graduate in UK parlance), and thus would not do as an American qualification for teaching at the community college level.

    There is a crying need for teachers of geography at this level, what with American's abysmal level of knowledge in this subject.
     
  8. Orson

    Orson New Member

    THERE is the link posted by edowave to

    http://gis2.esri.com/university/onlinedb.cfm

    Unfortunately very very few are graduate online learning programs.

    The notable one that is, is at Emporia State University in Kansas, in geosciences. It is as might be expected mostly devoted to GIS cert and an MS, but the course offering are wide and could well be adapted to need. But in geology, not geography:


    Distance Learning

    The M.S. degree and graduate certificate in geospatial analysis (see below) are available for distance-learning students in the United States and abroad. Degree-seeking students come from all parts of the United States: California, Nevada, Colorado, Kansas, Florida, New York, Texas, etc. We also have distance-learning graduate students from other countries: Canada, Sweden, Estonia, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. Course and degree requirements are the same as for on-campus students (see above). The following combination of courses may be utilized to earn the M.S. degree.
    Graduate courses offered by ESU via Internet--see web-based courses.
    Up to nine hours of graduate courses transfered from other universities.
    Independent research and thesis conducted under faculty supervision.
    Summer field classes offered at ESU.

    The normal time period for earning an M.S. degree via distance learning is three or four years. Students have completed thesis research on a variety of topics, including remote sensing of Mount Shasta, California; dendrochronology and lichenometry in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado; ground-water movement and contamination associated with oil production and refining, Kansas; remote sensing of forest cover, Kansas; prehistoric ceramic artifacts, Arizona; and tsunami impact on Malaysia. Some distance-learning students have been supported with research assistantships to work on projects with faculty mentors.

    Note: Distance-learning students will be considered for admission to graduate degree or certificate programs only after enrolling in or completing at least one online course from ESU.

    Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Analysis

    Emporia State University has a unique graduate certificate program in the specialty of geospatial analysis (GSA). The certificate program is a collection of courses designed to provide training and competency in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning system (GPS), and related technologies. The GSA graduate certificate can be completed through on-campus courses or by distance learning via Internet. The certificate in geospatial analysis provides valuable technical skills for professional career advancement without the long-term commitment necessary for a Master's degree.

    http://www.emporia.edu/earthsci/graduat.htm
     
  9. Orson

    Orson New Member

  10. edowave

    edowave Active Member

  11. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    You did not say why you needed a master's degree in your previous posts. Are you interested in physical or political geography (or a combination)?

    Not pure geography but maybe the following might work for you:

    The UK Open University has this Masters in Earth Sciences
    http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?Q01F53

    or this one in Environmental, Development and International Studies
    http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/environment-development-and-international-studies/index.htm

    I do not know if OU accepts students from non-EU countries yet.
     
  12. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Any Thoughts, Eh?

    Well, the really sorry part about that is that if you suggested to a group of average people that they should actually learn geography, the most likely response you would get from most of them is that there is no need to learn geography anymore because one can just turn on the GPS (global positioning system) and your car will talk to you and tell you exactly where to go. The really sad part of that is that most supposedly educated people whose degrees are in some discipline outside the humanities and social sciences would not even notice the inherent irony in having a car that talks to you. A car is an inanimate object and inanimate objects are supposed to do exactly what humans tell them to do. But now, with GPS global positioning systems, we have cars that talk to you and humans who do exactly what an inanimate object (a piece of technology) tells them to do. It makes you wonder how short a time down the evolutionary timeline human beings will evolve to the point of having nothing what-so-friggin'-ever above the shoulders. I mean, why the hell do humans need to have any brains what-so-freakin'-ever when a piece of technology will do all your thinking for you? :eek:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2009
  13. Orson

    Orson New Member


    THANKS endowave for the valuable for the link!

    I’ve been though most listed programs - the links to each program is not efficient, typically going to each universities HOME page, but persistence pays off though it.

    http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/MasterinEarthScience_EarthScience.shtml

    PENN STATE UNIVERSITY ONLINE DEGREES » MASTER OF EDUCATION IN EARTH SCIENCES

    Unlike the Emporia State MS in Geosciences - which is oriented towards pre-PhD, government and private industry goals - this Penn State online degree is explicitly geared towards the HS teacher.

    It covers two on astronomy, up to four courses in meteorology, several on earth processes, and oceanography. Only two required courses involve the silly educrat stuff. Thus, it is an excellent choice for a terminal graduate degree for those drawn to community college level teaching preparation.

    The only obvious improvements would be courses in environmental geology and historical geology - topics perhaps covered in more streamlined fashion and less depth than one would want in a masters. But unlike ESU, it doesn’t require math and chemistry prep, either.

    The only definite downside (as is typical with PSU online programs) is cost: around $18,000. But for those passionate about teaching college level science material in these diverse subjects - ALWAYS a good thing when ”looking forward to doing 15 hours per week! - this is likely the best online masters option.

    Finally, lots of program detail at the above web site.

    Next find?
    MS Geographical Education, College of Liberal Arts and Science
    "DECRIPTION
    "Master of Advanced Study Degree in Geographic Education
    The Master of Advanced Study Degree in Geographic Education will not only enhance your ability to teach this area of the social sciences, but also provide techniques for its integration into other subjects. This flexible master's degree program focuses on your needs and adapts the program's assessments to maximize your learning experience. The program is individually focused on concepts, techniques, and applications of geography geared specifically for the grades you teach! You can earn this accredited, affordable master's degree in 12 to 18 months. "
    http://asuonline.asu.edu/programs/master-of-advanced-study-degree-geographic-education

    THIS sound promising as the best choice available, not in residence. But completely unlike the PSU online M Ed in Earth Science, utterly lacking in detail.

    I've requested it (ie, further info). We'll see if it is what I really hope for.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2009
  14. Orson

    Orson New Member

    Thanks Tom. But as far as I can tell, the Texas State University MAG program is not offered at a distance.
     
  15. Orson

    Orson New Member

    OU is accredited by the Middle States Association. I very much admire their product, very similar to the University of London, external programme.
    SEE description at Wikipedia
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_University


    But as best as I can determine, while they offer maybe a hundred or so courses, no degree program for US residents is available.

    USA
    http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/countries/USA.shtm
    SEE for your location web pages found here
    http://www3.open.ac.uk/studyatou/apply/study-outside-uk.shtml

    This is sad, because I'm sure they would be quite popular! The catastrophe of success?
     
  16. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Having been to the Texas State website recently looking for DL MEds and DL MBAs, I thought I found it difficult to believe when you said that the MAG wasn't DL. Take a look at this page: www.studyanywhere.txstate.edu/edl_program_offerings.
     
  17. Orson

    Orson New Member

    Hhhhmmm. Ted, sometimes it is nice to be corrected! I'll look further.
    For the moment I'll note something that might interest others. The page you link to leads to Texas State University distance master of science in Interdisciplinary Studies.

    "MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
    The MSIS is a 39-hour degree, which provides the opportunity for students to individualize their plans and obtain the graduate education that best fits their career and personal goals. This program is offered in a distance-learning format and uses a variety of technologies, including DVD and the Internet, in addition to face-to-face instruction. Additional information about this graduate program may be obtained by contacting the Program in Occupational Education at 512.245.2115."
    http://www.studyanywhere.txstate.edu/edl_master_in_interdisciplinary_studies

    IT sounds like this is geared towards those with special needs (ie, disabilities). But I wonder if it is equally useful for those with special interests. As per my thread here, geology combined with geography?

    I'll inquire. THANKS, Ted.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 11, 2009
  18. Orson

    Orson New Member

    I have to say, this is a great opportunity, yet confounding. The prospectus (contained within ALL external studies offered by LSE) makes it clear that a first or Bachelors degree is "undergraduate" - as per US usage. And "graduate diploma" is intended to be graduate in the US sense. Thus, in effect, the LSE "graduate diplomas" ware shortened one-year versions of the sometimes seen (in the UK) "postgraduate diploma" - ie, half of an masters without thesis.

    Given that the four courses always require three-hour exams, this should be the rough equivalent of four (even five) semester hours in the US. That is, at least 16, maybe 20 semester hours.

    To teach a field like geography at the community college level in the US requires 15 (or 18) hours grad work. I guess it is worth shopping this qualification around to the hiring people at area community college to see whether this Grad Dip would pass muster. At a bargain $1500 it certain pays to find out!

    Relevant to others: LSE offers the Grad Dip in many fields - like econ, int'l relations, information technology and management. This price is a true bargain for entry into these fields.
     
  19. Orson

    Orson New Member

    It is a "DIPLOMA FOR GRADUATES IN GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT" - not a "certificate"

    Has anyone here received an LSE Grad Dip? What are their utility for others? Perhaps our occasionally seen University of London representative, Brendan Fawcitt (sp?), will weigh in?
     
  20. Orson

    Orson New Member

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