Geography (MA)

Program Overview

The Department of Geography at Binghamton University offers a Master of Arts (MA) in geography. We seek to foster and advance teaching, research and publication in the discipline of geography as well as train students to provide their expertise to the community at large.

Students can pursue one of five tracks:

  • General geography
  • Cartography and geographical information systems (GIS)
  • Environmental and resource management
  • Urban planning and applied geography
  • Race and ethnicity

A bachelor's degree in geography is not required for admission to the graduate program, but students without a geography background may be required to take additional courses for completion of the MA. An interdisciplinary graduate certificate in watershed studies and management is available, as well as a 4+1 BA + MA track.

Note: Application fee waivers are not offered for this program.

Degrees Offered

  • MA in Geography

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

Students are trained to pursue a doctoral degree and enter careers in the industry. The program offers theoretical foundation and computer applications in:

  • Resource management and sustainability
  • Water resources
  • Flooding and watershed impacts
  • Environmental hazard assessment
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Population health GIS
  • Urban and retail planning

The curriculum is diverse and highly flexible. Students are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary studies for a broadened academic perspective, as well as additional practical training in areas such as conservation, environmental management, economic development and international studies.

Students who wish to participate in an internship and who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that they will be asked about their prior criminal history. This may impede your ability to participate in certain internships. Students who have concerns about such matters, or are looking for additional information, are advised to contact the dean's office of their intended academic program.

After You Graduate

Many graduates of the program continue to work toward a PhD, while others enter industry. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in regional or urban planning with government agencies or private industries. A few recent positions of alumni include city planner, retail analyst, environmental specialist and GIS specialist.

Our students who focus in the areas of business geography, GIS and research and analytics work in companies such as Macy’s, Inc., Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., and the New York City Department of Education in the areas of research, planning and analysis. Students focusing in urban and retail planning have gone into positions with the City of Binghamton, ensuring that the city complies with federal transportation law, and the Broome County Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development overseeing zoning efforts in the county.

In addition, some of our international students take the knowledge gained to impact their native countries. A current alumna works as an environmental assessment practitioner in Botswana. Using skills such as GIS mapping, field work, data collection and analysis, he works to measure the environmental impact of building projects in the capitol of his home country.

Admission Requirements

Funding/Scholarships

There are many funding and scholarship opportunities at Binghamton. We encourage prospective students to review available program-specific scholarships and awards, and visit the program's website for additional information. Note: Master's students are generally self-funded, although funding opportunities occasionally arise.

Accelerated/4+1 Degrees

You may also be interested in our accelerated/4+1 degree programs which allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just 5 years!

For more information, visit the Geography website.