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For more information on degrees in geography, planning, and recreation, please visit the Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation website.
Applied Geospatial Sciences, Master of Science
- Available Emphasis Areas:
- Custom Geography, Planning and Recreation - Emphasis
- Geospatial Technologies - Emphasis
- Planning and Recreation - Emphasis
- Geospatial Technologies, Professional Science Masters - Emphasis (ending Summer 2021)
The MS in Applied Geospatial Sciences at Northern Arizona University can provide you the tools to engage in a lifetime of intellectual adventure in research and teaching, or a career in the private or public sectors. The required coursework will increase your expertise in specialized areas related to community and sustainable planning, GIS data analysis and mapping, area and regional studies, and focused education in geospatial technologies. Faculty work closely to assist you with geographic research, and applied community development as you explore Flagstaff 's own physical and cultural geography. Our location on the diverse Colorado Plateau, coupled with its mix of ethnic roots (Native American, Latino, and western European), make this mountain town a perfect geography classroom.
This masters degree is designed for students who want to pursue a career in managing land, community, and environmental spatial systems, including geographic information systems (GIS), geodesign, community planning and development, and recreation. In addition to engaging coursework this degree requires a research thesis or applied practicum project overseen by a faculty committee.
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Career Accordion Open
Career opportunities that might be pursued:
- Community planner or developer
- Land, utility, or land resource manager
- Sustainability program director
- Recreation resource manager
- Community college instructor
With further education, one of these paths is possible:
- International development
- Business and political marketing
- Mobile and big data analysis
- University professor
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University Requirements
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. (Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.)
You must additionally complete:- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
- All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
- All work toward the master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
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Overview
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 36 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Emphasis, Minor, Certificate | Emphasis, minor, and/or certificate are required. |
| Thesis | Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Purpose Statement
The Masters in Applied Geospatial Sciences teaches geographical science, community planning, and geospatial technologies such as geographic information science to prepare professionals and academics for a changing world. The program seeks to educate both traditional graduate students and working professionals in distance and on campus contexts and provides opportunities for diverse populations to exchange ideas and leverage knowledge. Geographic inquiry and community development are examined with attention to spatial relationships and complexities, dynamics of place and scale, and human-environment relations. Too often, analyses and understanding is based in disciplinary tracks. Geographic inquiry is based in synthesis and interdisciplinary investigation. Critical analysis and geospatial technologies provide methods to understand communities and environments from spatial and context-driven perspectives and at geographic scales from local to global. The program supports quality research and practical application, while providing (transferable) analytic, communicative, and visual skills. Our graduates are prepared for opportunities in the public, private, and non-governmental sectors in the fields of geography, planning, and natural resource management.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the MS in Applied Geospatial Sciences is to enhance student abilities:
- To apply critical analysis, including geospatial technologies, to issues of geographic inquiry and community development;
- To advance professionally in applied geospatial and community careers; and
- To understand and appreciate human-environment relations and the complexity of place.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Geographic Inquiry and Human-Environment Relations
From the beginning of the discipline, geographic inquiry has sought to understand the relationship between humans and the landscape, whether the relationship is direct or indirect. As the world continues in a path of globalization and technological advancements, the need for research and understanding about these trends at all geographic scales, from global to micro-local, has increased. Understanding Nature/Society relations requires research and inquiry into human and physical systems and interrelationships between them based on theories derived from geographical thought. Upon completion of the degree, graduates will:
- Elucidate major theories of geography; and
- Apply geographic theories to questions and inquiries related to interrelationships of human and physical systems in varying contexts and at different scales.
Place and Community Development
The concepts of place and community development are integral to geographical sciences, planning, and much spatially-based research. Graduates should possess a strong understanding of place and space, sense of place, and issues of adjacency and relational connectivity in order to identify critical issues, understand context, and create solutions. Upon completion of the degree, graduates will:
- Elucidate the major theories, techniques, and trends associated with place and/or community development; and
- Apply these concepts to analyze issues and create solutions as related to their Masters level project.
Critical Analysis
The ability to think critically about an issue, deconstruct, construct and identify biases, whether intended or unintended, and to seek a deeper understanding and solutions to issues of space, place, the environment and human landscape is central to Geographic thought and practice. This analysis derives from an understanding of the major theories, research approaches and methods in geography, as well as the ability to employ them to understand social problems and their potential solutions. Upon completion of the degree, graduate will:
- Identify, explain, and evaluate the manor research methods and modes of inquiry within geographic thought and practice; and
- Generate critical questions based on geographical theory, applying systematic research processes consistent with disciplinary norms, and present findings generated through a methodologically robust and defensible Masters level project.
Geospatial technologies
Contemporary geographic sciences and planning for community development necessitate the use and understanding of geospatial technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in both applied projects and research-based applications. Graduates should understand and be able to apply geospatial technologies to solve geographic problems. Upon completion of the degree, graduates will:
- Efficiently use ESRI ArcGIS, ERDAS Imagine, ENVI/IDL, QGIS, and/or other applications related to geospatial technology to obtain, organize, visualize, and/or analyze geographic data from multiple sources;
- Successfully apply geospatial technology to reach qualitative and/or quantitative solutions for geographic inquiry or community development, including navigating issues inherent with merging and analyzing data from different sources; and
- Effectively communicate about geospatial data and technology using oral and visual methods, including presentation of map products that follow established cartographic principles.
Professional Development
Our graduate program provides a critical step in professional development for those entering professions or seeking to enhance their existing knowledge base and opportunities. We prepare students to make a difference in communities and agencies through effective problem-solving and communication. Upon completion of the degree, graduates will:
- Conduct oneself and create work in a way that demonstrates the level competency, skill, and ethical behavior required of professional employment;
- Present and defend a project with the purpose of generating new knowledge, or solving a problem or challenge within their profession or area of interest;
- Present your work to general and professional audiences, articulating sustained, coherent explanations summarizing your project; and
- Effectively communicate complex ideas and analysis through written, oral, and visual communication.
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Details
Additional Admission Requirements
- Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
- NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
- Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
- Transcripts
- For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy
- International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy
Individual program admission requirements include:
- GRE® revised General Test
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Personal statement or essay
Master's Requirements
This Master’s degree requires 42 units distributed as follows:
- Core Requirements: 7 units
- Select an Emphasis: 29 units
- Geospatial Technologies Emphasis
- Geospatial Technologies, Professional Science Masters Emphasis
- Planning and Recreation Emphasis
- Custom Geography, Planning and Recreation Emphasis
- Thesis and Professional Practicum: 6 units
Take the following 36 units:
Applied Geospatial Sciences Core (7 units)
Emphasis Area, Select One (with your faculty advisor's approval):
Geospatial Technologies Emphasis (29 units)
Select coursework from the following:- GSP 531, GSP 533, GSP 535, GSP 536, (GSP 537 or GSP 538)
- A professional practicum GSP 689 or thesis GSP 699 is required. (6 units)
- Other Northern Arizona University graduate-level courses selected with your faculty advisor's consent (up to 3 units)
Geospatial Technologies, Professional Science Masters Emphasis (29 units)
Selection coursework from the following:- GSP 521, GSP 533, GSP 535, GSP 536, (GSP 537 or GSP 538])
- GSP 521 or an additional Northern Arizona University graduate level coursework with your faculty advisor's consent.
- A prefessional practicum GSP 689 is required (6 units)
Planning and Recreation Emphasis (29 units)
Select coursework from the following:- GSP 401, GSP 501, GSP 506, GSP 514, GSP 521, GSP 532, GSP 545, GSP 599
- PRM 531, PRM 599
- A professional practicum GSP 689 or thesis GSP 699 is required (6 units)
- Other Northern Arizona University graduate-level classes selected with your faculty advisor's consent (up to 9 units)
Custom Geography, Planning and Recreation Emphasis (29 units)
Select coursework from the following:- With your faculty advisor's approval, select at least 13 units from any combination of Graduate-level Geographic Sciences and Community Planning (GSP) courses and Parks and Recreation Management (PRM) courses.
- A professional practicum GSP 689 or thesis GSP 699 is required (6 units)
- Other Northern Arizona University graduate-level courses, with your advisor's approval (up to 10 units)
Thesis and Professional Practicum (6 units):- GSP 699 -Thesis is for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis. Please be aware that you can only count 6 units of thesis credit toward your degree. However, you may end up taking more units because you must enroll for it each term while you are working on your thesis.
- GSP 689 - Professional Practicum is for a project-based internship experience in a professional work environment, including the writing and oral presentation of an approved practicum project. Please be aware that you can only count 6 units of professional practicum credit toward your degree. The final practicum units will not be passed until the oral presentation and project report have been accepted by your faculty advisor.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your faculty advisor.
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan. Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree. Departments may allow students to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by approving up to 12 units applicable toward both degrees. Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.