This plan is no longer offered at the Online Campus. See the Campus Availability tab below for alternate plan campus options.
This masters degree is designed for students who want to pursue a career in managing land, community, and environmental spatial systems, including geographic information systems (GIS), geodesign, community planning and development, and recreation. In addition to engaging coursework this degree requires a research thesis or applied practicum project overseen by a faculty committee.
The Master of Science in Geography at Northern Arizona University can provide you the tools to engage in a lifetime of intellectual adventure in research and teaching, or a career in the private or public sectors. The required coursework will increase your expertise in specialized areas related to community and sustainable planning, GIS data analysis and mapping, area and regional studies, and focused education in geospatial technologies. Faculty work closely to assist you with geographic research, and applied community development as you explore Flagstaff 's own physical and cultural geography. Our location on the diverse Colorado Plateau, coupled with its mix of ethnic roots (Native American, Latino, and western European), make this mountain town a perfect geography classroom.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 30 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Thesis | Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense is required. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
Purpose Statement
The Masters in Geography teaches geographical science, community planning, and geospatial technologies to prepare professionals and academics for a changing world. The program seeks to educate both traditional graduate students and working professionals in distance and on campus contexts and provides opportunities for diverse populations to exchange ideas and leverage knowledge. Geographic inquiry and community development are examined with attention to spatial relationships and complexities, dynamics of place and scale, and human-environment relations. Too often, analyses and understanding is based in disciplinary tracks. Geographic inquiry is based in synthesis and interdisciplinary investigation. Critical analysis and geospatial technologies provide methods to understand communities and environments from spatial and context-driven perspectives and at geographic scales from local to global. The program supports quality research and practical application, while providing (transferable) analytic, communicative, and visual skills. Our graduates are prepared for opportunities in the public, private, and non-governmental sectors in the fields of geography, planning, and natural resource management.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the MS in Geography is to enhance student abilities:
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
This Master’s degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 30 units:
Geographic Science and Community Planning (GSP) and Parks and Recreation Management (PRM) Coursework (8 - 9 units)
Graduate Certificate or Graduate Electives Requirement - Select one (15 - 16 units)
Graduate Certificate Option (15 - 16 units)
Graduate Electives Option (16 Units)
Thesis Option 6 units*
*You may only count 6 units of thesis credit toward your degree. However, you may end up taking more than the 6 units of thesis credit you can count toward your degree, because you must register each semester while you are working on your thesis.
Professional Practicum Option (6 units)*
*You may only count 6 units of professional practicum credit toward your degree. The final practicum units will not be passed until the oral presentation and project report have been accepted by your faculty advisor.
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Geography, Environment, and Society and start a Master of Science in Geography at NAU.
OR
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Management and start a Master of Science in Geography at NAU.
Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:
Master's Requirements
This Master’s degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 30 units:
Graduate Certificate or Graduate Elective Requirement - Select one (15 - 16 units)
Graduate Certificate Option (15 - 16 units)
Graduate Electives Option (16 units)
Thesis Option (6 units)*
*You may only count 6 units of thesis credit toward your degree. However, you may end up taking more than the 6 units of thesis credit you can count toward your degree, because you must register each semester while you are working on your thesis.
Professional Practicum Option (6 units)*
*You may only count 6 units of professional practicum credit toward your degree. The final practicum units will not be passed until the oral presentation and project report have been accepted by your faculty advisor.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.