About Master’s Program,
The M.A. in Geography and Environmental Sustainability degree is designed to give students a professional grasp of the concepts and techniques of geography. The M.A. degree can be completed with or without a thesis.
The thesis option requires 30 semester hours of graduate credit. Coursework requirements include satisfactory completion of Contemporary Geographical Thought (6973); Research and Writing in Geography (6953); two graduate-only seminars offered by the Department, and a minimum of four hours and no more than six hours of thesis credit. In addition, the student must write a thesis acceptable to the advisory committee and defend it orally.
The non-thesis option requires a total of 36 semester hours of graduate credit. Coursework requirements include satisfactory completion of Contemporary Geographical Thought (6973); Research and Writing in Geography (6953); and two graduate-only seminars offered by the Department. In addition, the student must pass a comprehensive final examination.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 is required. There are no specific undergraduate courses that are prerequisites for graduate study in DGES; however, individual faculty advisors may prefer students to have taken certain courses.
International students must demonstrate English language proficiency. For details, see questions below related to the application process.
We welcome applications from students from many backgrounds. Recent graduate students have undergraduate degrees in Anthropology, Applied Ecology, Atmospheric Sciences, Biology, Communication, Economics, Education, Environmental Sustainability, Geographic Information Systems, Geography, Global Development and Anthro-Ecology, Health and Exercise Science, History, Industrial Engineering, International Studies, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Meteorology, Native American Studies, Statistics, Strategic Communications, Urban Planning, Zoology, and more.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
We offer Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) on funded research projects, and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) that support undergraduate and graduate learning across a wide range of departmental courses. GTA responsibilities vary by course but may include grading and instruction of lab sections.
Our GRA and GTA assistantships include a competitive stipend, health insurance, and a full tuition waiver. Fees are not covered. Both GRA and GTA assistantships are usually appointed at 20 hours per week.
Application Requirement,
Admission to the University of Oklahoma’s geospatial technologies program is selective. Those interested in the program should have a competitive undergraduate GPA, although GPA is not the only factor that determines admission. Additional admissions factors may include work or service experience, demonstrated leadership potential, exceptional talents or skills, trends, or academic and undergraduate school performance improvement.
To apply for the online geospatial technologies program, students are asked to submit:
- A completed application (found at https://gograd.ou.edu/apply/) and an application fee of $50
- Resume
- Short responses (400 words per question) to three questions
- Official transcripts from accredited institutions where previous coursework (undergraduate and graduate, if applicable) was completed
Applicants may choose to submit one or more of the following documents to supplement their application, but are not required to:
- Reference letter(s)
- A written paper or report from the last three years
- Portfolio of past GIS work (if applicable)
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2026
Application Fee,
A $50 ($100 for international applicants) non-refundable application processing fee is required to submit your online application.