Graduate Bulletin
Geography and Urban Studies, M.A.
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: January 15
Spring: October 15
Applications may be reviewed prior to the deadlines. Although students are sometimes admitted for the Spring semester, the Department encourages applicants to apply for the Fall semester since the program sequence is designed to begin at that time.
APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:
No specific coursework is required as applicants are drawn from a variety of disciplines.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:
A baccalaureate degree in any of the social sciences is appropriate. A bachelor's degree in another discipline may also be considered.
Statement of Goals:
The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words in length and should include the following elements: why you are interested in Temple's Geography and Urban Studies program; your research and academic goals; your future career goals; your academic and research achievements; and any other information that you believe will be helpful to the Admissions Committee in evaluating your application. The Graduate Admissions Committee is particularly interested in students' interests and goals and whether they fit with our program offerings and faculty interests.
Standardized Test Scores:
The GRE is required. A combined score of at least 297 (new test) or 1,000 (old test) is required for the quantitative and verbal sections of the exam.
Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted:
88 iBT or 575 PBT.
Resume:
A resume is required.
Writing Sample:
At its discretion, the Graduate Admissions Committee may request a writing sample.
Transfer Credit:
A total of 6 graduate credits from an accredited institution may be transferred into the Geography and Urban Studies program. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple. In addition, at least half of the grades to be transferred must be an "A" in order to transfer and a grade below "B" is not acceptable. Ordinarily, the transfer credits should have been earned no more than five years prior to the student's matriculation at Temple. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 36
Required Courses:
GUS 5159: Geographic Inquiry
GUS 8011: History and Theory of Urban Studies
GUS 8016: Public Policy for Urban Regions
GUS 8031: Critical Issues in Globalization, Sustainability, and Social Justice
GUS 9991: Master's Research Paper
Introduction to Statistics course
Two methodology courses selected from a departmental list
Four elective courses
Internship: No internship is required.
Language Examination: No language examination is required.
Culminating Events:
Master's Research Paper:
In a student's final semester, s/he works with an advisor to develop a high-quality paper on a topic of her/his choice. Students meet as a class to facilitate their projects. The class is graded on a pass/fail basis. The course instructor and the paper advisor both must agree in order for the student to pass the course. If the student passes the class but fails the paper, s/he has one additional semester to write an acceptable paper. If the student passes the paper but fails the class, s/he must pass the class the next time it is offered.
Contacts
Program Contact Information:
www.temple.edu/gus
Department Information:
Dept. of Geography and Urban Studies
308 Gladfelter Hall (025-27)
1115 Polett Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
tcousin@temple.edu
215-204-7692
Department Contacts:
Admissions:
Tycina Cousin
tcousin@temple.edu
215-204-7692
Interim Graduate Chairperson:
Dr. Ben Kohl
bkohl@temple.edu
215-204-6261
Interim Chairperson:
Dr. Melissa Gilbert
mgilbert@temple.edu
215-204-7692
About the Program
The Department of Geography and Urban Studies offers graduate work leading to the Master of Arts degree. The program prepares students for further study and for careers in academia, community organizing and social change efforts, economic development, environmental management, geographic systems management, and planning and public administration. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the development of research techniques and analytical skills applicable to problem solving. Graduates find employment in public sector agencies that deal with environmental planning, land use, and urban problems. They also work for quasi-public social service institutions that address various needs of urban residents, as well as for private sector firms whose business requires an understanding of urban and spatial dynamics.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years
Campus Location:
Main
Full-Time/Part-Time Status:
Students are able to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).
Department Information:
Dept. of Geography and Urban Studies
308 Gladfelter Hall (025-27)
1115 Polett Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
tcousin@temple.edu
215-204-7692
Interdisciplinary Study:
The faculty members of the Department of Geography and Urban Studies hold doctoral degrees in a half dozen different social sciences. Even beyond the interdisciplinary expertise of the departmental faculty, the program draws on the expertise of Graduate Faculty conducting research and teaching courses in related departments across the university.
Affiliation(s):
The program is affiliated with the Urban Affairs Association and the Association of American Geographers.
Study Abroad:
No.
Ranking:
Not applicable.
Accreditation:
Not applicable.
Areas of Specialization:
The graduate program in Geography and Urban Studies emphasizes study and research in the areas of urban development, environmental issues, international development, geographic methods, gender and race, and social and spatial theory. Areas of applied work include land-use planning and management, environmental analysis, regional development, and geographic information science and cartography. The Department offers students a chance to be trained in geographic information science in a research laboratory equipped with the latest technology.
Job Placement:
Graduates from the Department have continued with their education by pursuing doctoral degrees in some of the nation's most prestigious Ph.D. programs. Graduates also find employment in public sector agencies that deal with environmental planning, land use, and urban problems. In addition, they work for quasi-public social service institutions that address various needs of urban residents, as well as for private sector firms whose business requires an understanding of urban and spatial dynamics. Further information on career opportunities can be obtained from the Department's website.
Licensure:
Not applicable.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy:
Non-matriculated students may take up to 9 credits prior to matriculation. If accepted into the program, these credits may be applied toward the degree.
Funding Opportunities
Typically, the Department does not provide financial assistance to students at the master's level. Teaching and Research Assistantships are reserved for Ph.D. students.
Updated 2.12.13
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