Graduate Coordinator – J.O. Joby Bass
Overview The Geography program offers a choice of curricula leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) in Geography. The department maintains areas of research emphases that offer graduate students a variety of opportunities to develop specializations in different areas of geography. The department maintains collaborative relationships with a number of different academic units at the university as well as a number of outside agencies, including a cooperative relationship with the John C. Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis. All concentrations emphasize fieldwork, the application of technical skills, and the development of research capability in a particular emphasis area in Geography. Program Emphasis Areas The graduate program is well balanced by faculty specialties in a variety of systematic and regional areas. Areas of research emphases among geography faculty include cultural geography; cultural biogeography; landscape study; human-environment relationships; earth science; landscape ecology, biogeography and palynology; remote sensing and GIS; and regional specializations in North America, the U.S. South, and Latin America. The graduate student handbook includes more details on the requirements for the completion of the Master of Science Degree. Faculty members are also closely associated with the graduate programs in: history, anthropology, biology, coastal science, marine science and geology. The M.S. program provides the full range of geographical instruction appropriate to a globally literate education. Program Design The Master's program consists of 36 credit hours. A minimum of 18 hours must be taken at the 600-level. Students work closely with a graduate advisor in developing and completing an individual, original research project. Fieldwork, historical research skills, foreign language skills, laboratory research skills, and computer techniques provide students with essential tools for the research process. All of these serve research and teaching needs for both scientific and humanistic approaches to geographical work. Outcomes Most graduate students complete the M.S. degree in 2 years, though a flexible program allows students to design their own program and professional goals in cooperation with a faculty advisor. Few students fail to complete the degree. Financial Aid Annually the Geography Department offers several teaching and research assistantships, internships, and cooperative work-study programs. Assistantship stipends vary, but provide a salary for nine months and include a waiver of all tuition fees. For information on financial aid and assistantships, visit the University of Southern Mississippi's financial aid web page. Graduate Admission Requirements Admission to the program is based on a range of factors. No single factor will guarantee or preclude acceptance, provided that applicants meet the minimum 2.5 GPA set by the University Office of Graduate Admissions. Candidates must be accepted by the University Office of Graduate Admissions before they can be considered for admission to the Geography program. Departmental considerations are based upon GPA for the student's last two years of undergraduate coursework, GRE scores, two letters of recommendation, the experience record of the student, and compatibility of interests with those of the faculty as stated in the applicants Statement of Purpose. Under some circumstances a student may be admitted conditionally. How to Apply To be considered for the graduate program, applicants must complete several steps. Because you must meet standards of both the department and the university, some application materials must be submitted to the University Office of Graduate Admission while other materials are to be submitted directly to the department.
To the Geography Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Geography and Geology:
Applicants should submit all application materials as early as possible in the spring semester. The department will begin reviewing applications March 1. Applicants seeking Graduate Teaching Assistantships must remember to have their applications to the Graduate Coordinator as early as possible in order to be considered. Applications will be considered after March 1, with consideration to the availability of space and resources. Joby Bass, PhD |
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Last modifed: February 16, 2004 3:15 PM |
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