The Department of Geography works closelywith the Institute of Applied Science (IAS) which coordinates a Ph.D. in Environmental Science.  Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in geographical aspects of environmental science should consult a geography faculty member with similar research interests.  In consultation with the IAS, this faculty member will identify suitable prerequisite coursework and help the student assemble an appropriate degree plan.

M.S. Degree

All M.S. degree plans must include certain required courses (mentioned below). While we do not confine our students to tracks or a common curriculum, we suggest courses for students who desire to focus on particular themes (tracks): Applied Geomorphology,  Water Resources Management, Urban Environmental Management, Applied GIS, and Archaeology. In consultation with their advisor, students may substitute courses for those currently listed under any of the above tracks. Alternatively, in consultation with their advisor, students may construct a degree plan outside of these tracks, emphasizing some other theme(s) in applied geography. All students must complete a six credit hour minor. Generally, the six hours come from a single department outside of Geography.

The M.S. degree has thesis and non-thesis options, both requiring a total of 36 semester credit hours. Every student is required to take the two "core courses" (six semester credit hours), which involve education in research design (GEOG 5110) and advanced quantitative methods (GEOG 5190), and a one-hour graduate seminar (GEOG 5000).

Forms for Current Graduate Students

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Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring semesters. Relevant due dates can be found on the Graduate School Web site. The application will require the following items sent to directly to the Graduate School:

Application for admission to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies is required. Applications can be made online or by paper copies mailed to the graduate school.

We conduct a holistic review of applicants for evidence of potential success in our program. In particular, we evaluate an applicant's preparation and potential based upon the following criteria. Although a deficiency in one criterion will not deny admission to our program, the top applicants will demonstrate strong potential in a majority of these criteria. We seek students who show aptitude as well as motivation for graduate research.

1. All applicants must submit a 300-500 word essay stating their preparation, specific interests in geography or related fields, motivation for undertaking graduate study in applied geography at UNT, and professional plans or career goals and fill out the Application Data Sheet. Applicants should attach a current resume to this statement.

2.We carefully examine each applicant's transcripts in their entirety for evidence of course preparation and academic success. We do not accept or deny admission based upon a grade point threshold. Applicants with bachelor's degrees in geography or related fields generally have sufficient course background to proceed. Students from other disciplines lacking adequate topical, technical, or quantitative background, as evident in previous coursework, may need to take a leveling course in the deficient area.

3. Though not mandatory, research, teaching and other work experience may supplement completed coursework in preparing students for our program. As appropriate, candidates should describe the nature of such activity, citing any related publications, presentations, or awards, in their essay or resume. Applicants should also describe any leadership, volunteer, or other roles that may attest to their motivation or capability to pursue advanced studies.

4. As with the GPA, we do not accept or deny candidates based upon performance on standardized tests. However, we require GRE scores as part of our holistic appraisal of applicants. Applicants without high GRE scores should demonstrate strong potential in other areas, including the GPA.

5. Each applicant must arrange for three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with their academic and/or professional ability. These letters should not come from relatives or close friends. One letter may be from a current or past employer (if such experience exists). Professors or supervisors from previous academic institutions should author at least two letters.

6. The department and university value different ideas and perspectives in advancing and enriching knowledge. Accordingly, we encourage applicants to provide any additional information that may enhance the intellectual diversity of our program, the discipline, and the university.

7. At the final stage of the application process, the graduate advisor will conduct an interview with promising candidates, to ensure our program aligns with the background and career goals of the applicant.

Use the departmental checklist (International Students - U.S. National Students) to make sure you have submitted all the necessary documentation. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Advisor:

Dr. Donald Lyons
e-mail: dlyons@unt.edu
phone: (940) 565-2721
office: EESAT 310C

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Thesis/Non-Thesis Options

By the end of the second semester or by the completion of 18 semester credit hours students must elect to pursue a thesis or non-thesis option. There are a variety of advantages to choosing either the thesis or non-thesis option. Students are encouraged to make this decision in consultation with either their major professor or the graduate advisor. 

Thesis Option 

1. Students are required to write and submit and defend a proposal to their committee during the fall of their 3rd semester or between 18 and 27 semester credit hours. 
   
2. Students must enroll in  6 semester credit hours of GEOG 5950 - Master's Thesis, which counts toward the total 36-hour requirement. The comprehensive written exam requirement is waived for students who elect to pursue the thesis option. Instead, students are required to present and defend the results of their thesis. The presentation of the results of the thesis is open to the public. The defense of the thesis is limited to the student's thesis committee.

Guidelines for preparing your M.S. Thesis

Non-Thesis Option

1. Non-thesis students are required to pass a comprehensive written exam, covering a broad scope of geography. The exam will be administered by the student's major and minor professor and will cover three areas.

Area 1: Applied research (questions broadly drawn from topics covered in the Research Methods and Quantitative Techniques classes).

Area 2: Applied techniques or topical specialty (based on at least three courses the student has taken that share a common theme). 

Area 3: Questions drawn from the student's minor field.

2. Instead of enrolling in thesis hours (GEOG 5950), non-thesis students must complete a 3-hour, research-based special problems report under the direction of their major professor, in addition to taking the comprehensive exams and additional coursework to attain 36 hours total.

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Financial Aid

A number of competitive Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are available for full time students. Currently TAs teach laboratory classes in earth science, geology, geographic information systems, quantitative methods, and archaeology. Teaching assistantships are awarded competitively on the basis of departmental need and the applicant's ability.  Teaching assistants receive a stipend, plus comprehensive health insurance, and an out-of-state tuition waiver. Tuition rates can be obtained from: http://essc.unt.edu/saucs/tuition.htm

Normally, teaching assistants are expected to enroll full-time (9 semester credit hours per semester), and assuming satisfactory performance as a teaching assistant (defined through teaching evaluations) and in class (defined as a minimum score of a B in every class), teaching assistants will be supported for 4 long semesters. 

Research assistantships are often available through individual faculty research grants and are dependent on faculty needs and student expertise. The length of a research assistantship is dependent upon the size of the research grant. Numerous internship opportunities are available with private industry and various local governments also. Internships are organized through the Internship coordinator. Finally, Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing metropolitan regions in the country, so if you are unable to secure an assistantship upon enrollment or would prefer to enroll part-time, part-time work is plentiful and relatively easy to find.

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Research Assistantships Available

Time Line

1. Upon arrival on campus meet with the graduate advisor, Dr. Don Lyons. He will help you select appropriate classes.  Students entering in the fall are required to take in their first semester, GEOG 5000, other courses in their field of interest, and any required preparatory coursework for GEOG 5190, to be taken in the following spring.  These students should take GEOG 5110 in the following fall, at the beginning of their second year. Students entering in the spring should, if prepared, take GEOG 5190 in their first semester and GEOG 5000 and 5110 in the following fall. If you are employed as a teaching assistant, expect an initial graduate TA meeting about 1 week before the beginning of the new semester.
    
2. Familiarize yourself with the appropriate graduate school requirements for the Master of Science Degree, which are listed in the graduate catalog. In particular, you should read and understand the following sections: admission of continuing students and re-admission of graduate students; policies; continuous enrollment; probation and suspension; grade changes; the chapter on Master's degree requirements; and financial aid and scholarships. Also, check both the main office and your email account for announcements of upcoming events, deadlines and so on. It is your responsibility to be aware of the procedures and deadlines that apply to you.
    
3. Teaching assistants are expected to enroll full time (9 credit hours) each semester that they receive a teaching assistantship. Exceptions to this policy (i.e., taking less hours) may occur during the first semester of enrollment and when enrolled in thesis hours.
    
4. During your second semester, or between 9 and 18 semester credit hours, you must file a degree plan (in conjunction with the major professor and the graduate advisor) and choose either the thesis or non-thesis option. The degree plan sets out the courses you have completed and those you will take to satisfy the requirements of the M.S. in Applied Geography degree. Note that there are different requirements for the thesis or non-thesis option. Part of that process requires that you choose an advisor/major professor to guide the remainder of your studies. Your choice should reflect your area(s) of interest. You may change your choice of advisor at any time, although it requires some paperwork and the filing of a new degree plan. Consult with the graduate advisor on strategies for choosing a major professor.
    
5. During the first half of the 3rd semester, or after 18 credit hours, the student must select a Graduate Committee in consultation with their major professor. Given that the program requires a minor, one member of the graduate committee should be from the department from which you are obtaining the minor.
    
6. Students that elect the thesis option must, by the end of their 3rd semester or before completing 27 semester hours have completed a thesis proposal to the satisfaction of their graduate committee. 
    
7. Students who elect the non-thesis option must, by the end of their 3rd semester, choose both their topical area(s) and minor areas for the comprehensive exam. Thesis option students are not required to take the comprehensive exam. The areas of study are to be selected by you and your graduate committee. The breadth and depth of the areas to be examined are determined by your graduate committee in consultation with your major professor/advisor.
    
8. Students that elect the thesis option must enroll in at least 6 hours of GEOG 5950 Master's Thesis. In addition, students that elect the thesis option are required to present and defend the results of their thesis.

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GIS Certificate

Both undergraduate and graduate students may complete the Certificate in GIS.  Graduate students must apply and be admitted to the Graduate Academic Certificate (GACT) Program with the Graduate School before the semester of graduation.

What is GIS?
A Geographic Information System (GIS) uses computer software to capture, store, manage, manipulate, analyze, and display geographically-referenced data. A GIS facilitates visualization of data that may reveal geographic patterns not readily apparent with traditional maps or database management systems.

Who Uses GIS?
GIS is an essential planning and management tool for city and county governments, utility companies, and various private sector firms that use maps and spatial information. Government agencies use GIS for tasks ranging from highway planning to environmental protection. Businesses use GIS for such diverse tasks as locating retail outlets, managing real estate, studying disease patterns, and visualizing subsurface contamination.

The Certificate Program
The certificate program provides the conceptual understanding and technical proficiency necessary to apply GIS in a variety of settings. Six courses are required to complete the certificate.  A maximum of two required classes can be waived (for example, because of prior coursework or relevant work experience); two other electives must be taken at UNT instead. 

All required classes are available at the undergraduate and graduate level and can be applied to undergraduate or graduate degree programs at UNT.

Required Courses
The certificate program includes five required core courses and one elective.  Students must earn a "B" or higher on each course applied to the certificate. 

Core Courses

	GEOG 4500/5500. Introduction to GIS (3 hours)
	GEOG 4520/5520. Intermediate GIS (3 hours)
	GEOG 4550/5550. Advanced GIS (3 hours)
	GEOG 4560/5560. Intro. GIS Programming (3 hours)
	GEOG 4570/5570. Special Topics in GIS:  Advanced GIS Programming (3 hours)

Elective

GEOG 4570/5570. Special Topics in GIS. One additional (elective) topic (3 hours)

Facilities and Equipment

The Department of Geography is located in the Environmental Education, Science and Technology (EESAT) Building and operates the Center for Spatial Analysis and Mapping (CSAM). This facility is equipped with leading edge hardware and software products in support of teaching and research in remote sensing, GIS, visualization, computer cartography and global positioning systems (GPS). Other allied facilities housed within the EESAT Building include the Environmental Modeling laboratory, the Center for Environmental Archaeology, and the Center for Remote Sensing and Landuse Analyses.

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities for geographers with GIS training are very good, especially in regional analysis and planning, retail site selection and environmental analysis and modeling. Geography majors can gain valuable practical experience and apply their classroom knowledge through our internship program that places them with public agencies and private firms located in the Dallas - Fort Worth area.

Admission

To take any of the above courses, you must be admitted as an undergraduate or graduate student to UNT. 

	For information on applying for undergraduate admission (including application forms), see http://essc.unt.edu/undergrad/index.htm.
	Those seeking graduate admission must meet the requirements of the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies, see http://www.tsgs.unt.edu.
	For information on course scheduling and how to register for classes, see the Registrar's Office web page at http://essc.unt.edu/registrar/.

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