The M.A. in Geography and Environmental Sustainability degree is designed to give students a professional grasp of the concepts and techniques of geography. The M.A. degree can be completed with or without a thesis.
The thesis option requires 30 semester hours of graduate credit. Coursework requirements include satisfactory completion of Contemporary Geographical Thought (6973); Research and Writing in Geography (6953); two graduate-only seminars offered by the Department, and a minimum of four hours and no more than six hours of thesis credit. In addition, the student must write a thesis acceptable to the advisory committee and defend it orally.
The non-thesis option requires a total of 36 semester hours of graduate credit. Coursework requirements include satisfactory completion of Contemporary Geographical Thought (6973); Research and Writing in Geography (6953); and two graduate-only seminars offered by the Department. In addition, the student must pass a comprehensive final examination.
Geography & Environmental
Sustainability M.A. Degree
Checksheet (pdf)
The M.S in Geography Environmental Sustainability provides training to qualified graduates with advanced education in physical and environmental geography to meet the demands of the state in the public and private sectors. Graduates obtaining the Master of Science in Geography will be trained to become experts in spatial analysis and leaders in research, decision-making, and policies that guide the governance and management of our environmental resources.
There are two tracks offered in both the thesis and non-thesis option of this program, one focusing in Environmental Systems and one focusing in Geospatial Technologies. Students in both the thesis and non-thesis options may choose a series of courses from a list of guided electives. Students completing a thesis will take 15 hours of guided electives (which includes 6 thesis hours); those in the non-thesis path will take 15 hours of guided electives without the thesis hours. Guided electives will be selected by the student under guidance of her/his advisory committee.
Thesis Option
The thesis option is ideal for students considering a Ph.D. at a later date and requires 30 semester hours of graduate credit. Coursework requirements include satisfactory completion of Contemporary Geographical Thought (GEOG 6973); Research Methods in Geography (GEOG 6953); and Spatial Statistics (GIS 5923) with a minimum of four hours and no more than six hours of thesis credit. In addition, the student must write a thesis acceptable to an advisory committee and defend it orally.
Non-Thesis Option
The non-thesis option requires a total of 33 semester hours of graduate credit. Coursework requirements include satisfactory completion of Contemporary Geographical Thought (GEOG 6973); Research Methods in Geography (GEOG 6953); and Spatial Statistics (GIS 5923). In addition, the student must pass a comprehensive final examination.
The Ph.D. program is designed to provide students with a high degree of professional competence in geography, including an important, original contribution to knowledge. The Ph.D. degree requires at least 90 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the bachelor’s degree. Up to 44 semester hours of previous graduate coursework can be applied to these 90 hours upon approval of the student’s advisory committee and the Graduate College. Course work requirements include satisfactory completion of Contemporary Geographical Thought (6973), Research and Writing in Geography (6953), and two graduate-level seminars offered by the Department. Ph.D. students must also present a doctoral dissertation proposal approved by the student’s advisory committee, pass the written and oral portions of the General Examination, and complete and defend a written dissertation.
Geospatial technology is so prevalent nowadays that we rarely think about its use anymore. However, it is almost impossible to imagine a world without Google Maps, Yelp, and other location-based services that are currently available on most smart phones and other devices.
Students interested in pursuing this certificate program must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Oklahoma. Students may add this program by accessing the Graduate College Addition or Change of Program.
Geospatial Technologies Grad
Certificate Degree Checksheet (pdf)
The Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability offers four degrees:
● PhD in Geography and Environmental Sustainability
● MA in Geography and Environmental Sustainability
● MS in Geography and Environmental Sustainability, with two concentrations:
○ Environmental Systems
○ Geospatial Technologies
An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 is required. There are no specific undergraduate courses that are prerequisites for graduate study in DGES; however, individual faculty advisors may prefer students to have taken certain courses.
International students must demonstrate English language proficiency. For details, see questions below related to the application process.
We welcome applications from students from many backgrounds. Recent graduate students have undergraduate degrees in Anthropology, Applied Ecology, Atmospheric Sciences, Biology, Communication, Economics, Education, Environmental Sustainability, Geographic Information Systems, Geography, Global Development and Anthro-Ecology, Health and Exercise Science, History, Industrial Engineering, International Studies, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Meteorology, Native American Studies, Statistics, Strategic Communications, Urban Planning, Zoology, and more.
Most students complete a Master’s degree before entering our Ph.D. program. However, strong applicants may be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program without first completing a Master’s.
Yes, we offer an online graduate program leading to a MS in Geography and Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in Geospatial Technologies. Information about the program is available at https://ougeospatialonline.com/
Yes, our online MS program consists of evening classes. While our on-campus programs include a small number of evening classes, it is not possible to complete the on-campus degree taking only evening classes.
Students who are supported with a Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship must take a full course load (2-3 courses per semester). A small number of our on-campus graduate students take classes part-time while paying for their own degree.
Many graduate students in our online MS program take a full course load (2-3 courses per semester) in the evenings while maintaining a full-time job during normal business hours.
Our on-campus MA and MS programs take about two years, and the online MS program takes 21 months. The Ph.D. program takes four to five years.
We currently have about 50 graduate students in our on-campus programs and another 50 students in our online MS program. DGES graduate students hail from around the world and approximately 20% are international students. Our graduate student community is coordinated by the OU Association of Geography Graduate Students (AGGS). AGGS is active within our department and across campus and hosts a range of social and academic events.
We offer Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) on funded research projects, and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) that support undergraduate and graduate learning across a wide range of departmental courses. GTA responsibilities vary by course but may include grading and instruction of lab sections.
Our GRA and GTA assistantships include a competitive stipend, health insurance, and a full tuition waiver. Fees are not covered. Both GRA and GTA assistantships are usually appointed at 20 hours per week.
Available GRA positions and instructions on how to apply are detailed here: https://tinyurl.com/347bacur
Students interested in a GTA may indicate their interest in their application and should identify a faculty member who could serve as their research advisor.
Our students are often competitive for University Fellowships, which supplement GRA and GTA funding. Multiple fellowships are available, including those that support low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students. For more information, please visit: https://www.ou.edu/gradcollege/cost-and-aid/aid
Yes, you must identify a faculty member who is willing to serve as your thesis or dissertation supervisor. Prospective students should email faculty members to enquire about their availability and interest in serving as a thesis or dissertation supervisor.
After finding a faculty advisor, an application may be submitted through the University of Oklahoma’s Graduate College application system: https://gograd.ou.edu/apply/
Applicants must submit the following documents:
● A statement of interest in which the applicant describes his or her interests and goals, showing how these interests and goals are related to current faculty expertise.
● Names and contact information of two individuals who will be contacted to submit letters of recommendation on behalf of the applicant.
● A resume or c.v.
● A writing sample such as an undergraduate paper, publication, thesis, or major research paper, written in English.
● International students may also need to submit documentation of English language proficiency. For details, please see questions below.
No, the GRE is not required.
If English is not your first language, the University of Oklahoma will require you to demonstrate English language proficiency before admission. Please read the current policies and requirements regarding language proficiency: https://www.ou.edu/gradcollege/apply/international-applicants#english-proficiency
Please note that the University of Oklahoma makes a distinction between countries which have English as an official language and countries where English is the native or first language. To determine whether you will be required to demonstrate English proficiency, please see OU’s list of Native English Speaking Countries: https://ou.edu/admissions/apply/international/ou-approved-native-english-speaking-countries
For full consideration, applications must be received by the following deadlines:
● January 15 for applicants seeking admission and funding for the following fall semester
● April 1 for applicants seeking admission but not funding for the following fall semester
● September 1 for applicants seeking admission and funding for the following spring semester.
A $50 ($100 for international applicants) non-refundable application processing fee is required to submit your online application.
Faculty members are occasionally able to defray application fees for high-priority applicants with financial need. Please contact your prospective faculty advisor.
For students seeking admission for the fall semester, admission and funding decisions are typically announced in February or March. For students seeking admission for the spring semester, admission and funding decisions are made in September.
Yes, it is possible to defer admission for one semester or one year. However, if you choose to defer, we cannot guarantee that any offer of financial support (e.g., a GRA, GTA, or fellowship offer) will remain available.
The Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability and the University of Oklahoma typically coordinate visit days for admitted students in the spring semester. If you would like to visit earlier, please contact your prospective faculty advisor.
Director of Graduate Studies
Sarkeys Energy Center, 538
(405) 325-5325
dmdrake@ou.edu
