Department of Geography
1922 F Street, NW, Old Main
Washington, DC 20052

Phone: (202) 994-6185
Fax: (202) 994-2484
geog@gwu.edu

 

Coordinates: 38.897287°N 77.044610°W

Graduate Studies in the Department of Geography

The Master of Arts in Geography Program has, on average, 20 to 25 students in residence each year. The program requires of a minimum of 30 credit hours (thesis option) or 36 hours (non-thesis option). Students taking the non-thesis option have to complete a comprehensive exam. With a faculty to graduate student ratio of 1:2 within geography, graduate students receive careful mentoring and advising.

All graduate students are required to take Geography 6201 (Geographic Thought and Methods) and Geography 6221 (Geospatial Techniques). Additional course work taken should be appropriate to the students' interests. Please consult the Courses page on this website for a full listing of Graduate level courses offered by the department. Students are encouraged to submit research proposals at the end of their first year to be considered for funding from the Campbell Graduate Student Summer Research Awards.

The MA program in Geography trains young professionals in areas of human and physical geography, while making sure that students have a working knowledge of various geospatial techniques. The graduate program has four core areas of focus that reflect the research interests of our faculty:

  • Urban Environment
  • Development and Sustainability
  • Human Migration and Mobility
  • Applied Geospatial Techniques

In addition to these core interests, the geography faculty members also have regional expertise in North America, Latin America, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and the Arctic .

Many of our master's students pursue rewarding careers in governmental and non-governmental institutions and in the private sector. Recent MA students are employed at the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID), the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the Brookings Institution, the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Geographic, and various local planning agencies. Other graduates from this Department have gone on to pursue PhDs in top graduate programs.

Depending on the chosen field of specialization, students are encouraged to take electives from related programs and departments within the University. We have an excellent working relationship with many of the University's other programs, and students may find courses appropriate to their field of study from areas such as: International Affairs, Engineering, Economics, Public Policy, Public Health, Anthropology, American Studies, and Sociology. There is a limit to the number of classes allowed from outside the department, so students are encouraged to consult their advisors when choosing electives.

GW also has the advantage of being within the Washington, D.C. Consortium of Universities. Therefore, students can take associated courses in other departments at the University of Maryland, American University, Catholic University, Howard University, Georgetown, and George Mason. Again, there is a limit to the number of allowed consortium courses, so please consult your advisor before registering for a particular class.

Should you wish to apply to the Geography graduate program, please remember that applications for admission are made through the Columbian College Graduate School, which then forwards the applications to the geography department program.

Geography Graduate Program Brochure

Testimonials

This is what our former graduate students had to say about the program:

 

“Getting a Master's in Geography from GW was one of the best decisions I've made.  The atmosphere is friendly, and there are plenty of opportunities to interact with professors.  The skills and networks I gained at GW prepared me well for my career in research and public policy."

Jill H. Wilson, MA 2003 
Brookings Institution


 "Graduate School at George Washington University allowed me to discover who I was not only as a geographer but also as a person.  Upon graduation, I was able to take everything I had learned about geography and myself at GW and turn it into an exciting and fulfilling career." 

Kelly Cornell, MA 2005 
Transportation Planner, Arlington County


"The Geography MA program at GW brings the perfect mix of engaging coursework, research and incredible faculty access for advising and developing your academic skills. It was two of the best years I have ever invested in my intellectual development!"

Wesley Reisser, MA 2007 
U.S. Department of State


“The small student-faculty ratio at GW led me to receive more faculty time and interaction than I would have at a larger program, helping me to hone my research skills and interests. I believe this focus on students was a major factor in my acceptance into a highly regarded PhD program after graduation. Being in DC is one of the many benefits of the program, as there are a multitude of internship and employment options available in the area. While at GWU, I landed an internship that ultimately led to my current position in the Science and Human Rights Program at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the largest non-profit multidisciplinary scientific organization in the world.”

Susan Wolfinbarger, MA 2006 
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)


“The graduate program at GWU combines a small department atmosphere where faculty take a real interest in students' progress with Washington DC and its myriad networking and graduate intern/coop.  The contacts I developed during graduate study at GW led to both jobs I've had since graduation.”

Derek Azar, MA 2006 
U.S. Census Bureau