Geography (MA) at The University of Arizona Global

The Geography (MA) at The University of Arizona Global is a Full Time Master program offered on the University of Arizona - Main - Tucson campus in 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 22, 2027.

About Geography (MA)

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Geography is designed as a two-year program of study (minimum of 33 units). Students elect either a thesis option (recommended for those pursuing a Ph.D.) or a non-thesis option (recommended for those pursuing a professional, non-academic career). At the Masters level, the School offers courses in a wide range of fields within Geography, as shown below. Many of our masters students continue on at SGD for a Ph.D., depending on their interests and accomplishments.

As one of the leading geography departments in the United States, University of Arizona is distinguished by the broad spectrum of teaching and research interests among its faculty, providing ample opportunities for graduate students to specialize in many sub-fields. These include:

Analysis of Regional Development Processes

Quantitative Research
Population Dynamics
Transportation Systems
Industrial and Economic Geography
Economic Development

Critical Human Geography

Geographies of Identity and Difference
Citizenship and Politics
Geographies of Social Protest
Interpretative Approaches to Built Environments and Cities
Popular Cultures
Economic and Cultural Globalizations

Human-Environment Relationships

Resource and Community Conservation
Environmental Struggles in North America, Latin America, and Africa
Critical Studies of Environmental Policy
Political Ecology of Resource Use
International Development Processes

Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing

Wildfire Modeling and Management
Geovisualization Techniques

Physical Geography and Environmental Systems

Biogeography
Climatology
Resource Survey and Inventory
Land Cover Change

Geographic Methodologies and Techniques Available (also see SGD Facilities)

Spatial Statistics
GIS
Remote Sensing
Interpretative Methods
Participatory Action Research
Visual Methodologies
Discourse Analysis/Deconstruction
Archival and historical research
Physical Geography Field Methods
Climatological monitoring and modeling
Tree-ring analysis and climate reconstruction in UofA's Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Geography (MA) at The University of Arizona Global

Entry Requirements

Admissions Requirements

The deadline for fall admission is January 5 for both domestic and international applicants. Please note that the SGDE deadline supersedes Graduate College deadlines and that there are no spring semester admissions to SGDE. A background in geography or related fields in the natural and social sciences is strongly recommended for the M.A. and Ph.D. programs. Students are selected on the basis of:

1. Academic background and performance (generally a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0).

2. Professional experience.

3. GRE General Test scores (no required minimum but scores should be above average).

4. Personal statement of intent.

5. Letters of recommendation.

6. TOEFL (for international students). Either a score of 550 [PB], 79 [IBT], or IELTS [composite score of 7, no subject area below a 6]. To be considered as a TA, a citizen of a non-English-speaking country must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English via examination. This requires a score of at least 26 on the speaking section of the IBT TOEFL.

NOTE: A master's degree is required for admission to Ph.D. program (applicants without master's degrees who are interested in the Ph.D. need to initially apply for the master's degree).

Standardized Tests

All test scores must be sent from ETS.

The GRE and TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Arizona is 4832.

*There is no minimum GRE score required, but scores should be above average.

**The minimum TOEFL score is 550 [PB], 79 [IBT], or IELTS [composite score of 7, no subject area below 6]

Funding Opportunities

Every effort is made to provide some kind of financial support for incoming graduate students.
Teaching and research assistantships and graduate tuition waivers, available on a competitive basis, are used to waive nonresident tuition, registration fees, and/or health insurance premiums. Teaching and research assistantships offer a half-time academic year stipend that is competitive with other geography programs around the country.

Incoming students may also apply or be nominated for one of several available fellowships (e.g., see the Carson Scholars Program).

AAG Research Grants

AAG Education Grants

AAG Hoffman Award

AAUW American Fellowships

AAUW International Fellowships

American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)

Boren Fellowship

Czamanski Dissertation Prize

Lewis & Clark Fund for Research for Exploration and Fiedl Research

NSF Geography and Spatial Sciences Program Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement

Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship

Philanthropic Educational Organization

Rangel Graduate Fellowship

Regional Science Assocaition International Dissertation Award

Thomas R. Pckering Foreign Affairs Fellowship

Society of Women Geographers

Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

Fall: January 5
Spring: There is NO spring admission

International Applicants:

Fall: January 5
Spring: There is NO spring admission

Later submissions and off-cycle applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis as allowed by the Urban Planning Emphasis Committee in conjunction with the SGDE Director and admissions committee.

International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information

The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

English Requirements

PTEMin 60
IELTSMin 7
TOEFLMin 79

English Program Requirements

International applicants whose primary language is not English, or who attended school in a non-English speaking country, regardless of citizenship, must prove English proficiency. To determine whether you need to submit proof of English proficiency

Tuition and Fee Information for Geography (MA) at The University of Arizona Global

Application Fee 85

How to Apply for Geography (MA) at The University of Arizona Global

International applicants to Arizona Online campus, Global Direct campus, or a Global Microcampus should choose the Distance Learner (DL) visa type in their Application Profile.
International applicants to the Main campus must currently hold a US visa that permits incidental study.
Please verify your visa eligibility with International Student Services before applying. The application fee is non-refundable and will not be refunded if your visa status is not eligible.
Applicants must meet all Graduate College minimum admission requirements, including English proficiency.
Applicants should be prepared to submit copies of their visa documents, additional transcripts, or degree documentation if requested.
University of Arizona regulations require that all international students on non-immigrant visas carry the University of Arizona student health insurance plan.

Geography (MA) at The University of Arizona Global

The University of Arizona Global

United States of America, Tucson