PDF reflects print version of the catalogue (beginning to Economics)Graduate Degrees
M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. Programs
The graduate programs in geography focus on a set of research specializations in urban environments. In addition to completing core, methods, specialty and elective courses, students are expected to conduct significant geographical research in independent study, research seminars and dissertation work. Such work will reflect modern geographical thinking at theoretical and empirical levels. Master's degree programs are designed to develop basic technical and theoretical skills leading to a range of geographical careers. The Ph.D. is directed toward the creation of sophisticated geographical scholars committed to the practice and teaching of geography.Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to graduate standing are expected to have a bachelor's degree in geography or a related field and a GPA of at least 3.0 (A=4.0), calculated over the last 60 units of credit earned. Exceptions will be made in cases of very high GRE scores or other compelling evidence of potential to excel in graduate studies (e.g., outstanding letters of recommendation). For admission to the Ph.D. program, an M.A. or M.S. degree in geography (or equivalent experience) is desirable but not required.Selection Criteria
Selection for graduate study is based on letters of reference, the student's previous academic record, the Graduate Record Examinations, a personal statement of purpose for graduate study and samples of the applicant's written work.Selection of candidates for admission is made by a departmental committee that considers all these factors, plus the "fit" between student interests and faculty expertise and the supervisory capacity of individual faculty, which may vary over time.
Application Procedure
Applicants should apply online by going to the departmental Web site (www.usc.edu/dept/geography). Paper applications are also available. Contact the department for an admission package at least two to four months in advance of submission deadlines. Applicants requesting consideration for scholarships and fellowships, or requesting financial aid from the department (TA or RA) should submit applications by November 20. Applicants not requiring financial assistance should submit their applications as soon as possible thereafter, but no later than December 1.Advisement
Advisement for the graduate program is an ongoing process. Before entering the program, each student should work with the director of graduate programs to identify a research advisor who agrees to guide the student through his or her program. The department, in consultation with the student and the advisor, will subsequently establish a formal guidance committee for each student.Degree Requirements
Graduate degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.Master of Arts and Master of Science in Geography
The department no longer accepts applications for master's degrees in geography without decanal approval and in the absence of external (non-college) sources of funding. Regulations governing masters' degrees appear in the 2003-2004 USC Catalogue.Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology
Director: John Wilson
The geographic information science and technology master's program uses a variety of distance learning strategies to provide an increased knowledge of geospatial technologies and the geographic concepts and methods embedded in them. The courses that make up this program incorporate multiple curricular pathways tailored to the increasingly diverse backgrounds, occupations and applications that rely on geospatial technologies.
Course Requirements
Twenty eight units of graduate work are required.| CORE COURSES (16 UNITS) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 581 | Concepts for Spatial Thinking | 4 |
| GEOG 582 | Spatial Databases | 4 |
| GEOG 587 | GPS/GIS Field Techniques | 4 |
| GEOG 594ab | Master's Thesis | 2-2 |
| ELECTIVES (12 UNITS) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 583 | Spatial Analysis and Modeling | 4 |
| GEOG 585 | Geospatial Technology Project Management | 4 |
| GEOG 586 | GIS Programming and Customization | 4 |
| GEOG 588 | Remote Sensing for GIS | 4 |
| GEOG 589 | Cartography and Visualization | 4 |
| GEOG 591 | Web GIS | 4 |
All electives are chosen in direct consultation with the student's academic advisor based on background, academic interests, etc.
The courses in this program are open to students living and/or working anywhere, including students at USC's Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. centers. The master's program can be completed in two to three years as long as students take one or two courses in each of the fall, spring and summer semesters.
Admission Requirements
Four groups of students are served by this program:1. New students who wish to apply directly to the geographic information science and technology master's program.
2. Students currently enrolled in the geographic information science and technology graduate certificate program since this certificate program may serve as a possible "stepping stone" toward the master's program.
3. Students currently matriculated in a USC master's or doctoral degree program.
4. USC undergraduate students who want to stay for a fifth year and earn both bachelor's and master's degrees.
Candidates for admission among the first two groups of students must have: (1) a B.A. or B.S. degree or its international equivalent; (2) a minimum 3.0 GPA (A = 4.0) calculated over the last 60 units of credit earned. Exceptions will be made in cases of very high GRE scores or some other compelling evidence of potential to excel in graduate studies (e.g., outstanding letters of recommendation). Preference will be given to candidates with significant professional experience working with geographic information systems and related geospatial technologies.
Application Procedures
Applicants are required to submit the following documents: (1) completed application for admission which can be found online at www.usc.edu/admission/graduate; (2) statement of purpose; (3) official transcripts from all schools previously attended; (4) two letters of recommendation; and (5) results of the GRE General Test. International students must submit TOEFL scores and are expected to achieve a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based examination.The statement of purpose should be uploaded into the online application. This statement should: (1) describe the student's motivation, field of interest and career goals; and (2) identify potential projects that the student might pursue for the master's thesis project.
The master's program utilizes rolling admissions and enrollment based on the standard academic calendar. This means that students may start the program in either the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Those interested in learning more about this program should contact Kate Kelsey, GIS Research Laboratory, University of Southern California, 3620 S. Vermont Ave., KAP 444, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0255.
Doctor of Philosophy in Geography
Application deadline: November 20Course Requirements
A minimum of 56 units is required, exclusive of GEOG 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation. The following courses are required:Two 4-unit core courses (GEOG 500 and GEOG 501);
Four units of GEOG 502abcd taken in the first four semesters of enrollment;
Two 4-unit methods courses, including GEOG 583 or its equivalent, and one other quantitative or qualitative methods course approved by the faculty advisor;
Four 4-unit specialty courses in the department consistent with the urban environments theme;
A total of 16 units of elective courses with at least one course taken from outside the department, for breadth; and
At least four, but no more than eight units of GEOG 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation.
To the extent possible, students are expected to attend all sessions of the department's colloquium series.
Students with a prior master's degree may petition to receive transfer credit for up to 20 units based on previous graduate work completed. These transfer credits are only applicable to the methods, specialty and elective course requirements. Approval from the Graduate School and the department chair are required. At least one-half of the total number of units applied toward the Ph.D. degree must be completed at USC (i.e., at least 30 of 60 units beyond the bachelor's degree). At least two-thirds of the number of units presented for the degree (including transfer work, but not including GEOG 594 or GEOG 794) must be 500-level or higher. Students with Advanced Standing may not apply additional 400-level course work toward the Ph.D. degree.
Screening Procedure
Ph.D. students must undergo a screening procedure administered by the department at the end of the spring semester of their first year of full-time enrollment and prior to receipt of 25 units of graduate credit at USC. This procedure consists of a review of the student's progress to date and a decision on the student's continuation in the program.Guidance Committee
A doctoral guidance committee is formed after the student has passed the screening procedure. The committee is appointed in consultation with the student's research advisor and the student. It is composed of five people, including the advisor, at least two other members of the geography faculty, and at least one person from outside the department. The committee consults with the student, advises the student on the program of study and administers the qualifying examination.Qualifying Examination
A qualifying examination is administered in the third year of full-time enrollment upon completion of all course requirements specific to the department. The written part of the examination comprises questions submitted by the guidance committee on current geographical theory and practice, as well as on the student's research specialization. The subsequent oral portion of the examination may expand on those questions or may include additional questions of a similar nature. The oral portion assesses the candidates' readiness to commence dissertation research. Students who fail the qualifying examination and who do not hold a master's degree from another institution may be eligible for a Master of Arts degree, upon the recommendation of the guidance committee, presuming at least 36 units of graduate-level courses at USC have been completed.Dissertation
Upon successful completion of the qualifying examination, a dissertation committee (three-person minimum, including one from outside the department) is appointed by the research advisor in consultation with the student. A dissertation proposal must be written and presented to the department in public and defended immediately afterward in closed session with the dissertation committee. The candidate then embarks on doctoral dissertation research. Upon completion of an approved draft of the dissertation, the committee administers the public defense of the dissertation. The defense takes place upon unanimous approval of the dissertation committee. It is conducted in the form of a brief presentation, followed by a question and answer session with the dissertation committee, after which an evaluation by the committee is made.Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology
Director: John Wilson
The geographic information science and technology graduate certificate program uses a variety of distance learning strategies to provide an increased knowledge of geospatial technologies and the geographic concepts and methods embedded in them. The courses that make up these programs incorporate multiple curricular pathways tailored to the increasingly diverse backgrounds, occupations and applications that rely on geospatial technologies.
Course Requirements
Sixteen units of graduate work are required.| CORE COURSES (12 UNITS) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 581 | Concepts for Spatial Thinking | 4 |
| GEOG 582 | Spatial Databases | 4 |
| GEOG 587 | GPS/GIS Field Techniques | 4 |
| ELECTIVES (4 UNITS) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 583 | Spatial Analysis and Modeling | 4 |
| GEOG 585 | Geospatial Technology Project Management | 4 |
| GEOG 586 | GIS Programming and Customization | 4 |
| GEOG 588 | Remote Sensing for GIS | 4 |
| GEOG 589 | Cartography and Visualization | 4 |
| GEOG 591 | Web GIS | 4 |
The courses in this program are open to students living and/or working anywhere, including students at USC's Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. centers. The certificate program can be completed in one to two years as long as students take one or two courses in each of the fall, spring and summer semesters. The graduate certificate program can serve as a possible "stepping stone" towards the geographic information science and technology master's degree program.
Admission Requirements
Two groups of students are served by this program:1. New students who wish to apply directly to the geographic information science and technology graduate certificate program.
2. Students currently matriculated in a USC master's or doctoral degree program (other than the M.S. in geographic information science and technology).
Candidates for admission among the first group of students must have: (1) a B.A. or B.S. degree or its international equivalent; (2) a minimum 3.0 GPA (A = 4.0) calculated over the last 60 units of credit earned. Exceptions will be made in cases of very high GRE scores or some other compelling evidence of potential to excel in graduate studies (e.g., outstanding letters of recommendation). Preference will be given to candidates with significant professional experience working with geographic information systems and related geospatial technologies.
Application Procedures
Applicants are required to submit the following documents: (1) completed application for admission which can be found online at www.usc.edu/admission/graduate; (2) statement of purpose; (3) official transcripts from all schools previously attended. International students must submit TOEFL scores and are expected to achieve a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based examination.The graduate certificate program utilizes rolling admissions and enrollment based on the standard academic calendar. This means that students may start the program in either the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Those interested in learning more about this program should contact Kate Kelsey, GIS Research Laboratory, University of Southern California, 3620 S. Vermont Ave., KAP 444, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0255.