Areas of emphasis in human geography include urban environments, landscape, political geography, ethnicity, religion, language, nationality, and the diffusion of cultural traits. Environmental studies in the department focus on the historical, cultural philosophical, legal, and perceptual dimensions of human-environment relations political ecology, and environment and development. In geographic techniques, data analysis, and visualization, cartography, and geographic information systems are emphasized. For students following the master's degree option in geography and education, some substitutions for these course requirements may be authorized by the departmental coordinator for that option. The general M.A. degree in geography emphasizes broad understanding of physical and human geography and basic geographic techniques.
Students develop specialized research skills during work on the thesis.
Where appropriate for the thesis or dissertation topic and with the approval of the advisory committee, computer programming skills may be substituted for the second language. These skills are typically demonstrated by completing a minimum of two approved courses and writing a program used in the thesis research. A committee of two geography faculty members supervises the research and writing of a master's thesis that shows evidence of original research and writing. Every master's thesis must be presented at a public lecture. The geography and education option relates geographic research methods and perspectives to the teaching of social studies at all levels.