Geography and Environmental Science Department Overview

Overview

The Department of Geography and Environmental Science at Hunter College has the largest and one of the most technologically advanced geography and environmental science programs in the New York City metropolitan region. The department offers an MA in Geography, MS in GeoInformatics (MGEOi), and a graduate level post-baccalaureate Advanced Certificate Program in Geographic Information Science. In addition, the department contributes to three Masters level programs in conjunction with the Hunter College School of Education (helping train teachers of geography and earth science), and to the PhD Program in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School.

Our oldest graduate program, the MA in Geography, provides state-of-the-art knowledge of contemporary urbanization, the global economy and migration, global climate change and sustainability together with advanced analytical skills, including quantitative, qualitative, and geospatial research methods for addressing the vital problems humanity is facing today. Our students conduct research in many parts of the world while also focusing on New York City and the challenges to its populations, environments, and neighborhoods. In partnership with the School of Education’s BA/MA program in Environmental Studies and Earth Science and Adolescent Education, the Geography MA also fulfills the need for geography and earth science teachers in New York City and New York State.

The Advanced GIS Certificate Program is skillset oriented to provide students with the fundamental concepts and analytical methods in Geographic Information Science. It is anticipated that they will apply these newly acquired techniques to their area of specialization. The Advanced GIS Certificate Program also attracts professionals who seek expertise in geospatial analysis that will enhance their professional competence. In addition, Masters students may earn the Certificate in GIS concurrently with their degree.

The new MS in GeoInformatics program (MGEOi) takes a computational approach to the analysis, modeling and visualization of spatial-temporal data. It offers highly competitive advanced quantitative and technical skills in geospatial analysis, open source tools, and coding that are in high demand in both the public and private sectors. Students leave with a strong background in spatial-temporal data analytics.

In all our programs, faculty and students undertake research that seeks to improve the socio-economic and environmental well-being of New Yorkers. The Department of Geography and Environmental Science takes pride in helping to advance the careers of underrepresented groups in geography and related fields.

What can I do with my degree in Geography, GeoInformatics, or GIS?

Our website features stories about our former students. In general, MA graduates often continue with their graduate work in PhD programs in geography and related fields. Most, however, become professionals whose expertise in the above areas is widely used by the governments and administrations of New York City and New York State, the US Bureau of the Census, and private industry; they also develop careers as geography/earth science teachers. The Advanced GIS certificate students enhance their skillsets by adding GIS expertise to their main field. Many GIS certificate students proceed to earn MA in Geography or Ms in GeoInformatics.

Hunter’s MS in GeoInformatics program is one of only a few in the country specializing in computational approaches to geographic information. Our program is designed primarily as a professional degree, filling a market need in a well-paid discipline with an emphasis on technology implementation with an engineering/computer science approach rather than a purely applied use of GIS. Training includes computational aspects of spatial data science such as modeling and programming, remote sensing, visualization, databases, spatial ontologies, spatial statistics, big data, and complexity. Students will have opportunities to explore links with both Geography and Computer Science faculty at Hunter College and with employers and the tech community in the New York metropolitan area.

Centers & Facilities

Geography Centers & Facilities

Programs and Courses

Graduate Certificate

• Advanced Certificate in GIS

Master’s Programs

• Geography - MA

• Geoinformatics - MS

Undergraduate Major/Graduate Masters

ESCAE-BAMA - Environmental Studies/Earth Science Teacher, (Grades 7-12)

Programs Offered in the School of Education
Earth Science MA–Program for Teachers of Adolescent Education (Grades 7-12)
See the School of Education section of this catalog for additional information on admission and program requirements.
- Adolescent Earth Science - MA / Advanced Certificate
Social Studies MA—Program for Teachers of Adolescent Education (Grades 7-12)
See the School of Education section of this catalog for additional information on admission and program requirements.
- Adolescent Social Studies - MA / Advanced Certificate
BA/MA Program in Environmental Studies and Adolescent Education
- Environmental Studies and Adolescent Education-BA/MA
  Doctor of Philosophy

The Department of Geography and Environmental Science participates in the PhD Program in Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) based at the CUNY Graduate Center. EES program includes tracks in Environmental Science and Geography. Our professors have membership in the doctoral faculty of this and other PhD programs; they teach courses for and mentor Graduate Center students. For application forms and further information go to:

Grad Center Earth and Environmental Sciences