Masters in Geography
Our Mission:
Is to encourage and advance geographic scholarship by conserving past knowledge, developing
new knowledge through ongoing research, and transmitting research findings to our
students and the scientific community.
The department trains graduate and undergraduate students in analytical, technical,
and communication skills needed to participate actively and successfully in a rapidly
changing environment and emphasizes the importance of understanding world problems,
cultures, and economic-political systems in the context of global interdependence
and cooperation. The department's mission at San Jose State University (SJSU) and
in the Bay Area is to increase geography's scholarly writing, sponsored research,
and professional activities, to develop a comprehensive and relevant Masters programs,
and to provide appropriate General Education courses to core disciplines and professional
schools at SJSU. The department serves by improving academia's ability to meet the
urgent demands of current and future communities and to help the business and public
sectors solve problems.Our students are frequently offered internship opportunities
with the U.S. Geological Survey, NASA Ames, the City of San Jose, and Stanford University
while currently enrolled in the program or immediately after graduating from the program.
Many of our program graduates secure professional jobs with the largest tech employers
in Silicon Valley.
Program Description:
The Master of Arts in Geography emphasizes human and physical geography with an emphasis in advanced learning in Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) and urban geography. GIS is a rapidly growing field and our courses will give students the analytic and problem-solving abilities necessary to begin rewarding careers immediately after graduation. Students may also pursue a more generalized study of cultural, physical, or environmental geography. Most students follow an individualized program that includes courses and seminars in related disciplines, such as Environmental Studies and Urban and Regional Planning. In addition to their graduate coursework, all candidates for the Master of Arts in Geography must complete a Master's thesis project.
Although the department requires knowledge of the fundamentals of geography and GIS, it welcomes students whose undergraduate work has been in other disciplines, and who can apply their training to geographic problems. The MA degree is a 30 Credit program and many of our classes are offered in the late afternoon, evening, or on-line.
Graduates with a Master of Art in Geography Will:
- Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and interpret published research on the theoretical foundations of geographical information science.
- Demonstrate the ability to explain contemporary issues in geographic information science in the context of current theory.
- Demonstrate the ability to define a research problem and design and execute a research program.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and interpret research results in the context of current theory.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate research results in written, graphic, and verbal form.
- Demonstrate understanding of how geographic information science and technology may be applied to a variety of problems.
If you are interested in applying for a Master of Arts in Geography, please contact Dr. Ahoura Zandiatashbar, our Geography Graduate Advisor.
