MA Geography at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Arts program in geography offers specialized academic and professional training in geography, enabling you to secure a sound graduate background for further coursework or for immediate employment. The program has sufficient flexibility to accommodate individual needs and interests, allowing you to create a plan of study that fits your personal and professional goals.

What you will study

30 credit hours and a thesis, or 30 credit hours including the required capstone course (GPH 597) Required Core (3 credit hours) GCU 596 Geographic Research Methods (3) Other Requirements (8 credit hours) GCU 528 Geographic Problems and Context (3) or GCU 529 Contemporary Geographic Thought (3) GCU 591 or GPH 591 Seminar: Geography Colloquium (1) GCU 591 or GPH 591 Seminar: Geography Colloquium (1) methods and statistics course (3) Electives (13 or 16 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) GCU 599 Thesis (6) or GPH 599 Thesis (6) GPH 597 Geography Capstone (3) Additional Curriculum Information Coursework and research hours are selected by the student in consultation with an advisory committee.

Career pathways

Professionals with expertise in geographical sciences research, theory and practice are in high demand across sectors and industries, including consulting firms, government agencies, community organizations, and public and private research facilities. Career examples: environmental scientist or specialist, geographic information systems technician, geological materials technician, geophysical data technician, geoscientist, geospatial information scientist or technologist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts personal statement resume one letter of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The personal statement must address three items: What area of geography does the applicant wish to pursue, and why? What aspects of the applicant's education (a description is needed) will enable the student to pursue this specialty?

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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