Master degree in Geography? Distance...

American Geophysical Union

On a tangent to this thread:
If topics such as geology, physical geography, space sciences, global warming are of interest to you consider joining the AGU.
Joining this organization brings you a weekly publication, an on-line journal, and a subscription to Physics Today. All for $20 per year. I find that their publications gives me insight to many of the science issues of our time (and societal impacts). Membership could be a resume enhancer for those in a related career field.
http://www.agu.org/about/membership/

 

Last I heard the TX state program was dwindling. The two professors that were the energy behind the program have left the university. One of them ended up at the University of Oregon. She is now part of the MA program in geography there. The Oregon program is not online though. It is a summer program with some online classes during the year.

Another thought... Even amongst B&M programs there is a huge amount of variation between programs. At some universities the geography department is very closely aligned with the anthropology and sociology folks. At other schools you would think you were in a geology department. Of course there is also GIS.

If you have any intention of going for a doctorate later on make sure you choose your masters program in an area that you want to study at the doctoral level. I know many PhD geographers that earned their masters degrees in allied fields. So, if you know you want to study human or cultural geography I would also look at anthropology or sociology degrees. Similarly, you could also look at earth science or geology degrees if you are interested in physical geography. Depending upon the school you look at some earth science degrees are education focused; whereas, others are combinations of geology and geography. I started in geology and slowly tended towards geography.

 

"gonenomad" - THANKS for your insights. YES, I have noticed the three-part division of geog programs: social, physical, and education oriented. Different programs have their different emphases.


Two geog stories before business. When I was an undergrad, one of my girlfriends was the oldest daughter of University of Wisconsin geog prof, John Hudson, whose historical geog became familiar to me. Her mother divorced and remarried within the department, Joel Morrison, co-editor of Goode's World Atlas, co-editor of the leading atlas. (Is it still?) Anyway, he went to DC and the USGS. I got to know him a bit.

Another story: a buddy from a high school science group, the Minnesota Astronomical Society (student section), entered the geog program at the University of Minn. He was delighted at first to discover that his HS calc had real uses! But later, when he discovered that the famous Chinese named geographer, previously at Wisconsin,
[Ah, Yi-Fu Tuan, biography here
http://geography.about.com/od/historyofgeography/a/yifutuan.htm]
ripping off grad students diss ideas and publishing them as his own in a book... Well, he left grad school repulsed.

Me? I'm not such a ninny not to know that grad school politics are much worse than private industry.

My interest in geography and geology stems from having lived in Colorado and explored long and loved the mountain states too long. I would have gone to grad school in history 10 years ago, having ghost edited a buddy's tenure winning second book. I found myself enjoying it, and by the reviews, I am good at it. But intractable health issues intervened for years until a manageable disability emerged.

Another obstacle for me in history is the PC and social laden bovi excrement that now - not twenty years ago - is inescapably a large part of the indoctrination into the academic cult. I've been to several conferences where the sages I admire most did not or could not recommend their own departments for grad training. To get my contrarian ideas and arguments heard there almost requires being an bitchy, hardened, indifferent outsider now. An old and more sensible guard has or is passing to the Baby-Boomer psuedo-avant guard.

One of my history prof friends (at UNC-Chapel Hill) is humbled that he is even still allowed to teach there (despite having been president of one of his specialties).

My work and presentations in history may still culminate in a PhD in that field, but more likely as a UK doctorate by publication than traditional routes. Thus, an MA in history and possibly geog/geol, a field with another enjoyable subject matter to teach is on my personal agenda. A CC teaching gig or the equivalent while I finish my (three-four-five?) books would do. Teaching is fun! Student feedback is stimulating lab work.

The point of growing up and getting wise about life is to do what one enjoys! The alcoholic, depressed, life-hating in the academic world have a large presence in academe, as they do everywhere. But I have reason, purpose, and productivity on my side to find my own gratifying niche soon.

THANKS for the inside scoop on the Teas State program. Your info jibes with my feel of the situation there.

 

Master Science in Geo Info System ?

Tom what are some of the cheapest schools for Master Science in Geo Info Sys?

 

There are a lot of universities which provide you thic course. The above link really helpful.
southwest international university

 

GOOD QUESTION!

in my look around at GIS programs (because of helpful posts above! Thanks guys...), I only noticed expensive and not quite so expensive. Nothing was obviously "cheap."

My sense it that one had better really know that that's what one wants to do, going down that path - kinda like going into pharmacy instead of the more commonplace nursing.

I've done a course touching on GIS. Very useful, but more of a support industry, like for government departments or minerals, coal, oil and gas industries. A technicians role, however.

 

MS in Geosciences at Miss State University

Yet another program has come to my attention - MS in Geosciences at Miss State University. Almost half meteorology and climatology, half geology. 36cr. Only one capstone field work course (out of the two required) is not by distance.

Although 6cr longer than the Penn State M Ed. in Earth Science, the curriculum is pretty similar - minus 2 required education courses, and adding 2 capstone field work courses - it is also about $3,000 cheaper!

http://www.distance.msstate.edu/geosciences/TIG/index.html

The website notes that the program has been up almost 11 years, counts some 700 alum. An interactive map helps locate them.

This program is also attractive because about a dozen further grad courses on topics like vulcanism, North Am geology, astronomy, climatology and weather forecasting, are offered.

While a majority are science teachers, some are in meteorology, maybe most in the military.

 

ASUs online M.Ed. in Geography FINALLY LISTED!

INFORMATION about Arizona State University's M.Ed. in Geography FINALLY LISTED!

They claim you can complete the degree in 12-18 months.
http://geoplan.asu.edu/masge/

One caveat: they have labeled it master’s degree in geographic education (M.A.S.G.E.)

SOME will find this in-artful, comprehensive concoction more than distasteful - even repellent.

But look at thee coursework. It really is a M.Ed in geography.
Nine courses - 30 hours - two days on campus.

RATED: very attractive!

 

Except for the cost - with books probably over $1,000 per unit (unless I'm missing something).

 

I believe they give you a tuition break if you take all online courses, but it may depend on the program. Here is the latest tuition figures that I could find. It is summer 2009.
http://www.asu.edu/admissions/tuitionandfees/Sum09advstdygeoedumstronline.htm

Maybe the program went to a traditional tuition schedule this year. I know that we are expecting a 3-5% increase in tuition next year in order (they say) to keep the offerings and resources at the current level. And I think there was an additional 5 percent this year. So maybe you want to add 10.25% to the numbers shown in the link.

 

xcept for the cost - with books probably over $1,000 per unit (unless I'm missing something).

IF out of state tuition is the going rate, as I believe, then YES - it is exorbitant: about $24,000.

 

Not pure geography but:

Aalborg University (Denmark) offers an online master in:

1. Industrial and Cultural Geography http://studyguide.aau.dk/programmes/program/industrial-geography(4572)
2. Integrative Geography http://studyguide.aau.dk/programmes/program/integrative-geography-(5200)

http://www.unigeo.dk/eng/

Universiti Sains Malaysia (School of Distance Education) offers the M.A. in Geography (appears inexpensive) http://pppjj.usm.my/page%20bachelor%20art.html

University of Northern Colorado offers a Geography Education Graduate Certificate http://www.unco.edu/grad/prospective/degrees.html

 

ASU doesnt offer this program anymore, its now GIS only

 

Auburn University Montgomery Auburn Montgomery offers an online MLA in Geography & Geographic Information Systems.

 

They appear to at first glance but I could not find any confirmation on their website. They say the offer an MLA online, and that they offer MLA in geography, but these are never said in the same sentence. Online Programs & Degrees | AUM Online


None of the links lead anywhere that confirms it, so they must not want anyone to know! I suspect they don't.

I've searched exhaustively for an online/distance Masters in Geography. It seems like a degree that would be well-suited for online study, but I have not found a single one that is accredited. There is of course Atlantic International, not accredited.

 

Arguably better than some fourth tier US school . . .

King's College London - MA/MSc Geography

 

Texas State University: Master of Applied Geography Degree (MAG)
Masters Programs : Department of Geography : Texas State University
Note: I believe this program can be done via DL.

Northern Arizona University: MS Applied Geospatial Sciences
MS Applied Geospatial Sciences - Geography, Planning, and Recreation - Northern Arizona University

University College London: Geography Education MA
Geography Education MA - Institute of Education, University of London

Massey University: MA Geo
Master of Arts (Geography) MA(Geo) - 2015 - Massey University

The Global Open University, Nagaland (UGC Approved): MA Geo
THE GLOBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY NAGALAND

NALANDA Open University (DEC / UGC): MA or MSc Geo
Schools: Nalanda Open University

 

It appears that the University of Denver University of Denver offers a grad cert and a master's in GIS.

 

Actually looks like pretty high quality professors to me, with many publications. Is there some reason you phrased it that way? I have no idea how their degrees would be looked at in the US, which is where I am. I'm not sure this fits my needs exactly but it's a step in the right direction.

 

Why do think TS's program is available by DL? Its not listed Graduate Programs : Distance and Extended Learning : Texas State University

NAU has a great program. I've looked at that one before. It's not really geography though. And it is laughably expensive.

Its encouraging to see that distance geography degrees are offered east of the Atlantic, but I'm not sure how they would be received on my side.