<p>anybody have any information in general on graduate programs in geography.</p>
<p>i've heard that there slightly easier to get into than other humanity programs.</p>
<p>but are there really many teaching positions for geography profs?</p>
<p>I know for a fact that Western Illinois University (where I used to go) has an MA program in Geography. I love geography! :)</p>
<p>In the 1995 NRC ranking Penn State was #1, and Ohio State was #5.</p>
<p>Ohio State has an excellent placement record - they graduated 7 PhDs in 2005 and all are listed as having academic positions.</p>
<p>You can learn more about OSU's program here:</p>
<p>You will need significant undergraduate preparation - they ask for 40 quarter hours in Geography as a minimum (top center page 2). At OSU a standard course is 5 hours so that's at least 8 courses - effectively a major.</p>
<p>There's a good chance I'm applying to PSU for geography (GIS). It is generally ranked as the best geography program in the nation and their MS program is pretty competitive.</p>
<p>They don't have a PhD program for people coming right out of UG. You have to get the master's first, so I've been told that getting into the MS program is about as tough as it would be if it were a PhD program. </p>
<p>GIS is a tool that has a lot of applications outside of academia, BTW (in reference to your teaching question).</p>
<p>My sister got a Master's degree from Penn State in Geography about 10 yrs. ago and enjoyed the experience. She later attended Law School and is now a practicing attorney.</p>
<p>Oh, I checked with OSU, and they told me that they frequently admit students with zeo geography background.</p>
<p>Yeah, that's pretty standard. Most liberal arts schools don't have geography programs. so for graduate programs, they have to be open to various majors and minors to enlargen the applicant pool.</p>
<p>I'm fascinated with geography. anybody have any idea of the job prospects for a masters or phd in geography. </p>
<p>as I noted above, many higher ed. institutions don't have geography programs. so, as a result, it seems likely that employment in higher education might be limited. </p>
<p>i don't know. anybody else have any thoughts? am I wrong?</p>
<p>Employment options in higher ed. might be limited, so you'd want to go to a top geography program for your PhD. Private sector jobs are plentiful if you have a MS/MA in geography with a concentration in GIS. GIS is one of the most sought after skills in the environmental private and public sectors.</p>
<p>I am an MBA grad, looking to potentially transition to economic geography PhD degree. I am deeply interested in global economic and social issues, economic, social and climate change and would like to make an academic career out of it. I have applied to OSU, UNC Chapel Hill, Clark U.
Would it be better to get an MA first, then apply to schools such as Penn State, etc?</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice, re my prospects, etc?</p>
<p>You should start a new thread… but if you want a PhD you are better off applying directly to a PhD program now. Unless you are targeting a school that requires an MA/MS for a PhD, then you should get your MA/MS at that school and apply to PhD when you are done with your Masters</p>