Geography

Application Deadlines

Applications received past the due dates will be processed but may miss the opportunity to be admitted for the intended semester.

For fall semester: April 30 (February 1 for international students) For spring semester: November 30 (September 1 for international students)

We encourage graduate application submissions by early deadlines of September 1 and February 1. This will help with allocation of scholarships and funding if these are available.

Additional Information

Students who are accepted into the program, who have already earned credits with a grade of B or higher as nonmatriculated students, may transfer only two (2) courses or eight (8) credits, whichever is greater, from nonmatriculated status to matriculated status. In exceptional situations, up to 12 credits earned as a nonmatriculated student may be transferred to matriculated status.

Although both options may prepare students for additional graduate work, the thesis option is recommended for those who might wish to pursue the PhD in geography or an allied field. The examination option is recommended for students seeking a terminal MA. 

Students who are accepted into the Geography MA program and register for courses may transfer up to a maximum of 9 credits of relevant graduate coursework from regionally accredited institutions, including courses taken at Hunter College while enrolled in another degree program, whether a master’s degree was awarded or not. Transfer of credits is subject to review and approval by the Graduate Adviser. Applicants to this program should be aware that there is no promise of automatic transfer of credit on the graduate level. With the approval of the Graduate Adviser, students may include up to 9 credits of graduate-level courses taken outside the Department of Geography at Hunter College toward completion of their degree, including transferred courses and courses taken in other CUNY graduate programs. (Exception: students who have received their B.A. in Geography or Environmental Studies from Hunter College may, with the approval of the Graduate Adviser, include up to twelve credits taken outside the department.)

Language Requirement

A foreign language is not required for the MA in geography. However, students interested in regional studies or further graduate work are strongly encouraged to master a foreign language. Students emphasizing technical skills are strongly encouraged to master one or more computer programming languages.

Completion Time

The School of Arts and Sciences allows four years to complete a MA degree. A petition to the Dean is required to exceed the limit. Most full-time students are able to complete the MA requirements in 4 semesters or fewer. To accommodate all students, many courses are offered during the evening.

Assistantships

A limited number of teaching and research assistantships are available from the department. Students seeking assistantships should state so in their statement of purpose included with the application. They should also indicate what skills and qualifications they have for research or teaching assistance.

Note(s)

* Graduate students entering the program without a geography background will be required to take 6 credits in geography outside their principal area of concentration (GEOG, PGEOG or GTECH).

** Graduate students entering the program without a geography background will be limited to 6 credits taken outside the program. Students who were undergraduate majors in geography can appeal to the Graduate Committee to take more than 12 credits outside the program.

*** Students must submit to their committee the proposal for thesis research no later than the end of the semester in which they finish their 20th credit in the program.