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Division of Natural Sciences & MathematicsDepartment of Geography & the Environment

Degree Programs

Degree Programs

Graduate Programs

The Geography Department at the University of Denver marks its 60th anniversary in 2005, and has been offering graduate degrees since its inception. The department currently offers MA and Ph.D. degrees in Geography and the MS in Geographic Information Science. With a permanent faculty of nine, we have strengths in several substantive areas, and maintain a good balance among human geography, physical geography, and geographic information science. The graduate population ranges from 30 to 35 students, roughly two-thirds of which are in residence at any given time. Our modest size affords many advantages ? small classes, personal attention, excellent financial aid packages, job placement assistance, and the chance to develop rewarding relationships with faculty, staff, and other students. The department also boasts outstanding facilities and resources, with newly renovated and updated offices, labs, and classroom space, and offers numerous opportunities for field training through a range of trips and courses, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Graduates from this department have enjoyed considerable success in securing employment related to their training and interests. Recent alumni with human geography emphases are currently working for state and local planning agencies, developers, consulting firms, and private industry in Colorado and elsewhere. Those with interest in physical geography have found employment in federal and state agencies, environmental consulting firms, and private enterprises. Alumni completing the MS/GIS degree are now employed by planning and environmental consultants and GIS companies. In addition, numerous graduates of the doctoral program hold faculty teaching positions with colleges and universities around the country.

Graduate Degree Programs

Master of Arts, Geography

Areas of emphasis at the masters level include:

  • Physical geography - biogeography, climatology, geomorphology, Quaternary Studies.
  • Human geography - cultural geography, economic geography, development, population, transportation, urban geography, urban and regional planning.
  • Human-environment interaction - global change, land use, natural resources, political ecology, sustainability.

Master of Science, Geographic Information Science

The MSGIS degree is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in geospatial technologies. The program integrates techniques in cartography, remote sensing, image processing, geographic information systems, global positioning systems, and spatial statistics as analytical tools in support of geographic research.

Doctor of Philosophy

Areas of emphasis at the doctorate level include biogeography, cultural geography, economic geography, environmental change, geographic information science, geomorphology, human environment interaction, Latin America, population, Quaternary studies, transportation geography, urban geography.

Important Links for Graduate Students