Sep 21, 2024  
Graduate Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Graduate Catalog 2024-2025

Geography, Environment & Urban Studies, M.A.


Admission Requirements


Fulfillment of the general requirements for admission to graduate programs at Chicago State University, which includes attainment of a 2.75 GPA or better (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester credit hours of at the undergraduate and/or graduate courses (see the General Admission Requirements  section of the graduate catalog for more information).

Completion of a minimum of 6 semester credit hours of undergraduate geography courses. Students who do not fulfill this requirement may be admitted but may be required to take and receive a B or above in GEOG 1000 and GEOG 1100 in addition to their graduate level requirements.

General Requirements


Completion of 33 credit hours of graduate courses, including GEOG 5860 , GEOG 5800  and GEOG 5880 . In consultation with the graduate advisor, students may design a flexible program in the general field of geography. Students may take up to 6 hours outside of geography as part of their 33 required hours. The general program fosters inquiry into the way economic and environmental forces interact at the local, regional, national, and global levels. Students may prepare for a variety of career choices, including business, government, teaching, community development, and advanced research.

Exit Requirements:


Students enrolled in the thesis option (6 credit hours) are required to take 15 credit hours of electives, while students enrolled in the non-thesis option (3 credit hours) are required to take 18 credit hours of electives. In that way, along with the other requirements of the program, ALL students finish with a minimum of 33 credit hours.

Thesis Option:


Students are expected to complete a thesis in the fundamental areas of program objectives and defend the thesis. Thesis defense involves a presentation, and the final oral examination will be conducted by the candidate’s thesis committee. Please refer to Graduate School Thesis for more information and deadlines relevant to this process.

Non-Thesis Option:


Candidates must complete the requirements for Non-thesis Research Project (GEOG 5950 ). Additionally, requirements for completion are Passing a Comprehensive Exam in the foundational courses of the discipline and a presentation based on the research paper.

Master of Arts in Geography, Environment & Urban Studies: GIScience (33 hours)


Admission Requirements


Fulfillment of the general requirements for admission to graduate programs at Chicago State University, which includes attainment of a 2.75 GPA or better (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate level and/or graduate courses (see the General Admission Requirements  section of the graduate catalog for more information). Students who lack at least 3 hours of Introductory GIS or its equivalent may be required to make up the deficiency.

Completion of a minimum of 6 semester credit hours of undergraduate geography courses. Students who do not fulfill this requirement may be admitted but may be required to take and receive a B or above in GEOG 1000 and GEOG 1100 in addition to their graduate level requirements.

Exit Requirements:


Students enrolled in the thesis option (6 credit hours) are required to take 15 credit hours of electives, while students enrolled in the non-thesis option (3 credit hours) are required to take 18 credit hours of electives. In that way, along with the other requirements of the program, ALL students finish with a minimum of 33 credit hours.

Thesis Option:


Students are expected to complete a thesis in the fundamental areas of program objectives and defend the thesis. Thesis defense involves a presentation, and the final oral examination will be conducted by the candidate’s thesis committee. Please refer to Graduate School Thesis for more information and deadlines relevant to this process.

Non-Thesis Option:


Candidates must complete the requirements for GEOG 5950 - Non-Thesis Capstone . Additionally, requirements for completion are Passing a Comprehensive Exam in the foundational courses of the discipline and a presentation based on the research paper.