Master of Geography at East Carolina University

The Geography at East Carolina University is a Full Time Master program offered at the university's main campus in Greenville , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 2 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on August 21, 2027.

About Master of Geography

Are you excited about carrying out original research in an area of study that you are passionate about? Do you realize that a geography degree can give you excellent training for numerous jobs in both the public and private sectors?

The discipline of geography offers an important interdisciplinary approach to critical societal and environmental themes such as climate change, the spread of disease, and development in vulnerable coastal regions, as well as social justice, local knowledge and globalization. ECU's Master of Science degree in geography offers a setting for you to work closely with faculty, students and the community to develop a set of skills and a global perspective to help solve environmental and social issues. The geography faculty works at the interface between society and the natural world and this interdisciplinary approach is integrated into most of the classes that you will take. The curriculum spans social justice, globalization, geographic information systems, landform processes and atmospheric science.

The MS degree in geography will leave you with the skills you'll need to help you build a dynamic career solving social and environmental issues. These include a keen understanding of the geographic features of Earth and how they interact with social systems, as well as computer and technological skills related to map-making, geo-location and terrain analysis. The curriculum covers issues of globalization and the intersection of social and environmental issues. Students also have the opportunity to gain valuable internship experience with state and city government and the private sector, working on community development, hazards impacts, coastal issues and other topics.

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Program Coordinator: Anuradha Mukherji (211-A Brewster Building; 252-328-5357; [email protected])

The Geography, MS thesis option requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of 5000- and 6000-level courses, with 18 s.h. at the 6000-level. The nonthesis/internship option requires 36 s.h., with 21 s.h. at the 6000-level.

The Geography, MS with a planning concentration and the Professional Science Master's in Geographic Information Science (GIS) offer only the nonthesis/internship option and require a minimum of 36 s.h. at the 5000- and 6000-levels with a minimum of 21 s.h. at the 6000-level.

The planning concentration offers students both the theoretical background and practical skills and experience applicable to the planning profession at all levels of government and the private sector. The professional science master's concentration allows students to pursue advanced training in logistics, management information systems, marketing, or public administration while simultaneously developing professional skills valued by employers. The concentration is modeled on recommendations by the National Professional Science Master's Association (NPSMA).

There are several major areas of study in the Department from which students can choose: environmental, human, atmospheric science, and geospatial techniques.

Minimum degree requirement is 30-36 s.h. as follows:

1. Core - 6 s.h.

GEOG 6100 - History and Philosophy of Geography
GEOG 6110 - Research Design in Geography

2. Research skills - 3 s.h.

(Choose a research skills/methods course related to the major area of study and intended research.)

ANTH 5015 - Advanced Ethnographic Methods and Theory
GEOG 6150 - Quantitative Methods in Geography
GEOG 6160 - Field Geography
HIST 5960 - Introduction to Oral History
Other course selected in consultation with advisor.
Other course selected in consultation with advisor.

3. Concentrations - 6-15 s.h.

(Choose one.)

a. Geography concentration - 6-12 s.h.

Thesis option (6 s.h.)

Choose a minimum of 6 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- and 6000-levels. Students are encouraged to take at least one course outside their selected major area of study. Courses in other departments may be selected in consultation with student's advisor.

Nonthesis/internship option (12 s.h.)

Choose a minimum of 12 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- and 6000-levels in the major field areas. Students are encouraged to take at least one course outside their selected major area of study. Courses in other departments may be selected in consultation with student's advisor.

b. Planning concentration - 15 s.h.

Choose 3 s.h. from the following:

PLAN 6018 - Internship in Planning
PLAN 6028 - Internship in Planning
PLAN 6038 - Internship in Planning

Choose 12 s.h. PLAN electives at the 5000 and 6000 levels

c. Professional science master's in geographic information science concentration - 15 s.h.

Choose 12 s.h. from the following:

GEOG 6410 - Advanced Cartography
GEOG 6420 - Advanced Remote Sensing
GEOG 6430 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 6440 - Spatial Analysis of Coastal Environments
GEOG 6460 - Advanced Digital Terrain Analysis

4. Electives - 9 s.h.

(Choose electives according to concentration area.)

a. Geography concentration

Choose a minimum of 9 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- or 6000-levels.

b. Planning concentration

Choose a minimum of 9 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- or 6000-levels.

c. Professional science master's in geographic information science concentration

Choose a minimum of 9 s.h. of courses in one of the following: logistics, management information systems, marketing, or public administration.

Logistics

IDIS 6500 - Collaborative Planning in the Supply Network
IDIS 6515 - Logistical Security and Safety Management
IDIS 6525 - Transportation Logistics Management
IDIS 6535 - Supply Chain Logistics Management
IDIS 6545 - Global Logistics Management

Managment information systems

MIS 6713 - Delivering Business Value through Information Systems
MIS 6873 - Data Management
MIS 6883 - Web Technologies for Business
MIS 6903 - Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

Marketing

MKTG 6162 - Marketing Management
MKTG 6752 - Integrated Marketing Communications
MKTG 6762 - Business-to-Business Marketing
MKTG 6842 - Consumer Behavior

Public administration

PADM 6100 - Politics and Management in Public Agencies
PADM 6101 - Analysis for the Public Sector
PADM 6160 - Public Policy Formulation and Implementation
PADM 6161 - Applied Policy Analysis
PADM 6170 - Intergovernmental/Interagency Relations
PADM 6220 - Leadership and Ethics in the Public Sector
PADM 6260 - Management of Public Information Technology

5. Thesis or nonthesis/internship option - 3-6 s.h.

a. Geography - 3-6 s.h.

Thesis option

GEOG 7000 - Thesis (3-6 s.h.)

Note:

Students must pass the thesis defense.

Nonthesis/internship option

GEOG 6801 - Internship in Geography
GEOG 6802 - Internship in Geography and/or
GEOG 6803 - Internship in Geography

Note:

Students must complete internship for minimum of 3 s.h. or maximum of 6 s.h. Students must present professional report and pass report defense.

b. Planning - 3 s.h.

Nonthesis/internship option

(Choose 3 s.h. from the following.)

GEOG 6801 - Internship in Geography
GEOG 6802 - Internship in Geography
GEOG 6803 - Internship in Geography

Note:

Students must present professional report and pass report defense.

c. Professional science master's in geographic information science - 3 s.h.

Nonthesis/internship option

(Choose 3 s.h. from the following.)

Note:

Students must present professional report and pass report defense.

For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Geography at East Carolina University

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation:

An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
- Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

English Requirements

PTEMin 65
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 78

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Geography

Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

Geography
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
Public Administration and Legal Services
Education and Training

Career Opportunities

ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

NC Tower

This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

Self-employed;
Work for the federal government, including the military: or
Work outside of North Carolina.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

Degree-specific internships

For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Geography at East Carolina University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of Geography at East Carolina University

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Master of Geography at East Carolina University

East Carolina University

United States of America, Greenville