Master's in Geography Online Programs: A Complete 2023 Guide

You can combine your love for landscapes and people in a master’s in geography online, allowing you to study from anywhere to acquire the skills to map and analyze the terrain for many purposes. Geography has two main branches: physical geography, which looks at the topography of Earth; and human geography, which studies how humans relate to their environment. With technologies that help us integrate data with geography, the applications for the field of geography have multiplied. An online master’s in geography allows you to combine your curiosity about physical and human geography with skills that will prepare you for exciting jobs.

With an online master’s geography degree, you can pursue fascinating and in-demand positions in geographical information systems (GIS), urban or regional planning, structural or farming technology, cartography, remote sensing applications, environmental science, and other fields which require analyzing and mapping of physical spaces and how humans use them.

ARTICLE NAVIGATION:

• Choosing a Master’s in Geography Online Program
• Accreditation for Geography Master’s Online Programs
• Who Should Get an MS or MA Geography Online Degree?
• Admission and Costs for Online Geography Master’s Programs
• Careers with an Online Master’s in Geography

At the master’s level, your education should match your career goals. The degrees available for online master’s in geography give you choices for the curricula that will best help you achieve your dreams. Many programs will accept students with a bachelor’s degree in any subject, but some want students to have a degree in science or closely related to geography. In addition, some programs are designed for people to advance their careers, so you need prior knowledge to enter these programs.

Type of Degrees

Most online geography master’s programs are Master of Science (MS) degrees. These focus on the scientific aspects of physical geography, including GIS, digital mapping, geospatial information management, and meteorology. While all geography benefits people, the MS degree involves more quantitative research and technology in courses. You will also see Professional Master of Science (PMS) degrees, which prepare you for applied careers more than research. In contrast, most MS degrees lead to industry or government jobs or research positions.

Master of Arts (MA) geography online programs focus more on the human elements of geography. They explore how humans use and change places and landscapes they inhabit. This could be your preferred degree if you are interested in land surveying, human geography, urban planning, disaster management, and other topics related to societies and land use. While the MA degree is closer to liberal arts and humanities subjects, you will also find MA geography online degrees that focus on the high-tech and scientific applications of GIS. For example, Liberty University's MA in Geography – GIS has a humanities core while also exploring the technological advancements used in modern geography practice.

For most employers, the exact title of your degree is less important than the focus area and courses you have taken. You could have an MS or MA or another master’s in geography online degree type. As long as it contains coursework that prepares you for the challenges of the workplace, it will be valued by potential employers. Gaining updated skills in geographic technologies is one advantage of using a geography master’s online to polish your skills for in-demand jobs.

Concentration

Some programs focus on a specific topic, while others allow you to specialize by choosing electives. For instance, the MS in Geoscience: GIS and Technology Track from Texas A&M University allows students to choose from the following concentrations: Data Analysis, Data Governance, Energy, or Geoscience.

Concentrations for online geography master’s programs can include the following areas:

• GIS Management
• Urban Planning
• Meteorology
• Disaster Management
• Architectural and Landscape Design
• Geospatial Intelligence
• Cartography and Digital Mapping
• Geographic Information Technology
• Energy and Petroleum Science
• Data Analysis

Curriculum

The curriculum for a master’s in geography online will include core courses and some elective or concentration classes. With the advances in technology for geoscience, most programs have courses in GIS or other digital applications for mapping. Some dgree programs have more business management classes, while others feature computer programming and information management classes.

Some degrees focus on one industry or one type of work, such as petroleum or meteorology. In contrast, others give you a broad range of skills that could apply in agriculture, global security, land use and town planning, architecture, climate science, resource management, and regulatory positions. A capstone project is a culminating experience for most programs, with some also requiring a final exam.

Some of the classes you may take in an online master’s geography program include:

• Demography & Populations
• GIS for Urban Planning
• Computer Cartography
• Spatial Data Management
• Programming for Web Mapping
• Satellite & Radar
• Advanced Hazards & Disasters
• Ocean Observing Systems

In-Person Requirements

Most geography master’s online programs are 100% virtual, with no need to come to campus. The few that include campus visits require a week or less onsite for intensive learning and networking experiences. Completion times range from one to three years, with many programs allowing students to choose the pace at which to take classes. For instance, the MS in GIS from Johns Hopkins University has ten courses that can be completed in as little as 12 months, but many students pace their classes to finish in two years or more.

There is no programmatic accreditation for online master’s in geography programs, but all the schools on our list carry accreditation at the school level. They are accredited by regional or national agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). To understand accreditation of colleges and universities better, please read our article on accreditation.

Resource:

• CHEA- and USDE-Recognized Accrediting Organizations

If you work in a field that uses geospatial data to enhance business, manage resources, plan cities and towns, or conduct research, getting a master’s in geography online is a great way to upgrade your skills and increase your earnings and job options. The technology and theories of mapping and analyzing spatial information are improving rapidly. Keeping your skills up to date is imperative for employees in the wide range of fields that use geographical information.

For those new to geography and GIS, getting a master’s degree can be a way to change careers and find a new path. Geographical jobs exist in government, nonprofit, corporate, and academic settings. The American Association of Geographers (AAG) has information for students and professionals that can help you to understand the breadth of applications for competencies you would gain in an online master’s in geography. If your undergraduate degree or work experience is in a field unrelated to geography, look for programs that don’t require related experience or study. Expect to take some foundational classes to get you oriented to the tools and processes used by geographers.

Resource:

• AAG - Jobs & Careers

Admission Requirements

Like other scientific fields, the general admission guidelines for geography master’s programs include the following:

• Official bachelor’s degree transcripts from an accredited school
• Minimum GPA of 2.75-3.0
• Two to three letters of recommendation or references
• Resume or CV
• Statement of purpose or intent
• Proof of English language proficiency for non-native speakers

Most programs do not require graduate exam scores, such as the GRE or GMAT tests. Some online geography master’s programs have additional requirements for admission, including:

• Bachelor’s degree in science or related major
• Portfolio of mapping projects
• Current employment in a related field

Tuition and Costs

Program costs can vary, but the average price for programs on our list is $23,237. The lowest cost program we highlight is Marshall University’s Master of Arts in Geography at $14,229. The most expensive program is Prescott College’s Master of Arts in Adventure Education at $32,424.

Some programs allow you to transfer credits from equivalent graduate courses or through exams, which can reduce your costs and time to get the degree. Financial aid, scholarships, military discounts, and employer-sponsored education benefits can also reduce out-of-pocket costs for your master’s in geography online.

Your career in geography can take you to many places: from politics to environmental associations, energy companies to construction firms, governmental agencies to branches of the military. Employers need people with geographic skills for planning, managing, and regulating how we use and interact with the land, sea, and even space. In addition, GIS jobs are exploding with the expansion of these technologies into almost every field of endeavor, making those with skills in GIS management, analysis, and data collection in high demand.

Here are some examples of careers and average salaries for graduates:

• GIS Managers: $130,811
• Geospatial Information Scientists: $106,375
• Geographers: $85,220
• Urban and Regional Planners: $78,500
• Cartographers and Photogrammetrists: $68,900

Graduates of online master’s geography programs may work in the following fields and organizations:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Local, regional, and state planning and land use departments
• Energy and utility companies
• Real estate, architectural, and engineering firms
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Mining, forestry, and fishing companies
• Aerospace and defense companies and agencies
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

The highest-paying jobs for geography graduates are in government, energy, and defense industries. You’ll find high levels of employment in major government and commercial centers, with additional concentrations in areas where energy, mining, or farming development occurs. While not all jobs in GIS have extremely high pay, all pay well above the average salary for all positions. Additionally, with a master’s degree, graduates can command higher wages than those with a bachelor’s degree.

Resources:

• Geospatial Information Scientist Salary - ZipRecruiter
• GIS Manager Salary in the United States - Salary.com
• Geographers - BLS
• Cartographers and Photogrammetrists - BLS
• Urban and Regional Planners - BLS

For students who are curious about our physical world and how we use it, getting a master’s in geography online is a great way to invest in your passion. With opportunities to apply your knowledge in a range of industries, government, and nonprofit sectors, this degree can enhance your career and your earning potential in a world where space, natural resources, and human activity need analysis, mapping, and planning to maintain harmony among peoples and advance scientific knowledge. Find the best online geography master’s degree for your future on GetEducated.com and get started on your future today.