Clark University Academics & Faculty
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Geography
Programs
The Graduate School of Geography offers a major, minor and electives for undergraduates and a Ph.D. program. Qualified Clark undergraduates can take advantage of an accelerated fifth year program that leads to a B.A./M.A. in Geographic Information Science. An M.A. in Geographic Information Science for Development and Environment is available through a shared program with the Department of International Development, Community and Environment.

Master's Degree

While only students seeking a doctoral degree are admitted to the Graduate School of Geography, two types of M.A. degrees are available: pre-doctoral and non-doctoral.

Pre-Doctoral M.A.
An M.A. degree can be awarded to doctoral candidates after the following requirements: completion of residency; completion of required course work; completion of doctoral exam; approval of the dissertation proposal.

Non-Doctoral M.A.
Normally no later than at the end of the first semester of the second year of residence, after a review process, students may opt or may be advised to shift to a terminal M.A. degree, under which circumstances they will be expected to drop one or two courses in order to write a thesis. This thesis is a research paper or short article (15-30 pages), demonstrating an ability to define a problem, as well as serving as evidence of research competence.

After approval by a committee consisting of the major advisor and two other faculty of the student's choosing, three copies of the final draft with a letter by the major advisor noting committee approval will be delivered to the Geography office. The Director will then announce to the faculty that the draft is available for examination. Faculty comments will be reviewed by the major advisor and any changes approved by the advisor. The thesis is accepted by the advisor and the committee. Following acceptance, two bound copies of the final draft are delivered to the departmental office and the ribbon copy to the Format Advisor. Students completing the non-doctoral M.A. must re-apply should they subsequently wish to enter the Ph.D. program.

Contact Information Search

Academic Catalog & Requirements
Program and Courses

Additional Resources
Graduate Program Home
Graduate Student Handbook (PDF)
Current Ph.D. Students
Careers of Recent Ph.D. Recipients
Clark Ph.D. Graduates Around the World
Recent Ph.D. Student Grants and Awards
Ph.D. Dissertation Titles Since 2000
Graduate Student Publications
School of Geography Achievements
Tour Worcester

Ph.D. Program
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Master's Degree
Dissertation

Applying to the Ph.D. Program
Application Process and Financial Aid
GRE and TOEFL Exams
Application FAQs
Open Letter To Applicants from Current Ph.D. Students

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