Graduate Degree

The graduate program in geography focuses on a set of research specializations in human and physical geography. In addition to completing core and elective courses, students are expected to conduct significant geographical research in independent study, research seminars, and thesis and dissertation work. Such work will reflect modern geographical thinking at theoretical and empirical levels. Master's degree programs require theses and 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 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. For admission to the Ph.D. program, an M.A. or M.S. degree in geography or equivalent experience is required.

Selection Criteria

Selection for graduate study is based on letters of reference, the student's previous academic record, the Graduate Record Examinations and a statement of purpose for graduate study.

Application Procedure

Applicants should contact the department for an admission package. Applicants requesting consideration for scholarships or fellowships should return their applications before February 1. Applicants requesting financial aid from the department (T.A. or R.A.) should submit applications by April 1. Applicants not requiring financial assistance should submit their applications as soon as possible thereafter. The following components of the application are required: (1) a completed USC Application for Admission to Graduate Studies, (2) official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work taken to date, (3) the results of the GRE or notification of when it will be taken and that a request has been made to send the results to USC, (4) a completed Departmental Graduate Application Form, (5) a statement of purpose accompanying the Departmental Application Form, (6) at least three letters of recommendation from persons directly familiar with the student's academic work and potential for successful graduate study, and (7) TOEFL scores for students whose native language is not English.

Departmental Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate School application procedures, applicants must submit to the department the following items: a departmental application; a curriculum vitae; a statement of purpose; official copies of transcripts; three letters of recommendation; official results of the GRE (general aptitude); and international students must also submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores and a financial guarantee statement. Full instructions are in the application package available directly from the department.

Advisement

Advisement for the graduate programs in geography is viewed as an ongoing process. Before entering the program and during the first months in the program, each student should work with the departmental graduate coordinator. As soon as possible, each student should identify a research advisor who agrees to guide the student through her or his program. The department, in consultation with the student and the advisor, will subsequently establish a guidance committee for each student.

Degree Requirements

These degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

Master of Arts in Geography

The M.A. degree in Geography is designed for specialists in human geography. A minimum of 28 units (including four units of GEOG 594ab) is required. Two four-unit core courses, GEOG 501 and 602, normally taken during the first year of study, are required. At least two human geography courses plus one four-unit course outside of human geography, either in another geography specialty or in another field, are required. A thesis must be written and successfully defended, and registration for four units of GEOG 594ab Master's Thesis is required.

Master of Science in Geography

The M.S. degree in Geography is designed for specialists in physical geography. A minimum of 28 units (including four units of GEOG 594ab) is required. Two four-unit core courses, GEOG 501 and 602, normally taken during the first year of study, are required. At least two physical geography courses (chosen from GEOG 571, 573 and 575) plus one four-unit course outside of physical geography, either in another geography specialty or in another field, are required. A thesis based on scientific methodology must be written and successfully defended, and registration for four units of GEOG 594ab Master's Thesis is required.

Master's Screening Procedure

Each candidate for the M.A. or M.S. degrees must undergo a screening procedure, normally taken before the third semester of enrollment in the program. The examination will be conducted by the student's three-person guidance committee and will assess both basic knowledge of geographic theory and methodology and readiness to pursue thesis research.

Doctor of Philosophy in Geography

Course Requirements

A minimum of 36 units beyond the master's degree is required, exclusive of GEOG 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation. Two four-unit core courses, GEOG 501 and 602, and at least one 600-level seminar are required. At least four, but no more than eight, units of GEOG 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation are required. At least two-thirds of the number of units presented for the degree must be 500-level or higher.

Screening Procedure

Ph.D. students must undergo a screening procedure administered by the department before their 25th unit of graduate credit beyond the master's degree. 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 by the department 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 upon completion of all course requirements. The written part of the examination is composed of questions submitted by the guidance committee on current geographical theory and practice, including questions on the student's research specialization. The subsequent oral portion of the examination may expand on those questions, may include additional questions of a similar nature and will assess the candidate's readiness to commence dissertation research.

Dissertation

After the candidate has passed the qualifying examination, a dissertation committee is appointed by the research advisor in consultation with the student. Each student must write a dissertation proposal, present it to the Geography Department Colloquium and defend it before the dissertation committee. Upon completion of an approved draft of the dissertation, the committee administers the final defense of the dissertation. The defense takes place upon unanimous approval of the dissertation committee. It is conducted in the form of an open departmental seminar but is evaluated by the dissertation committee alone.