Although the department requires a knowledge of the fundamentals of geography, it welcomes students whose undergraduate work has been in other fields and who can apply their previous training to geographic problems. The M.A. degree in geography emphasizes general proficiency in physical and cultural geography and basic skills in the use of geographic techniques. The Ph.D. program requires more specialization of the student who must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the geography of a major region in the world and a competent understanding of one of the systematic fields of geography. Student programs are designed to suit each individual's background and interests, but prospective students are urged to consider the major interests of the faculty. In a small department individual attention is possible, but the range of faculty interests is necessarily limited.
Regional emphasis is on the Americas, Europe, china and the Soviet Union.