M.S. in Geography
Geography offers programs leading to the B.A., B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in several major divisions of the field—biogeography, climatology, geomorphology, Quaternary studies, cultural geography, historical geography, economic development, urban geography, mapping sciences, and GIS. Area expertise focuses upon the Mississippi Valley, southern U.S., Latin America, China, central Asia and Afghanistan, the Middle East, and North Africa. In each division, there are numerous programs of research directed by outstanding scholars in the discipline.
A Master of Science (M.S.) degree is offered in geography. Students in all concentrations of geography including cultural, economic, urban, historical geography, physical geography, and GIS/mapping sciences enroll in the M.S. degree program. A proposed and defended thesis is required for completion of the M.S. program.
The master’s degree provides the student with a broad knowledge of the history, theory, content, and techniques of geography. Such knowledge may be obtained by enrollment in specific courses or through independent study, either at LSU or at some other institution.
Degree Requirements
The M.S. degree requires 31 hours of graduate coursework. Half the courses must be at the 7000-level or above, excluding thesis hours.
- 1 hour of GEOG 7901: Introduction to Graduate Study (taken in first semester/year)
- 3 hours of GEOG 7902: Introduction to Research Methods in Geography (taken in first semester/year)
- 21 additional hours of coursework (7 courses, 3 credit hours each), with at least 12 hours at the 7000-level
- 6 hours of thesis research (GEOG 8000)