Geography, Ph.D.

Geography Program

The Department of Geography and Geology offers a program of study and research leading to a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Geography. The curriculum is designed to provide a thorough understanding of geography as a profession, as well as a solid foundation for continued work towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Geography or a related field. The program provides students with a knowledge of the history, theory, content, and techniques of geography. Graduate students can design their course of study/research and concentrate in one of the subfields of geography that the faculty support. These areas include, but are not limited to, geospatial technologies (remote sensing, GIS, cartography), cultural-historical geography, coastal geography, environmental change, biogeography, landscape ecology, resource management, Latin America and the U.S. South.

Admission Requirements - Geography

The department encourages all interested candidates to apply. An undergraduate degree in geography is not a prerequisite.

1. Applicants must have a 3.0 (4.0 scale) grade point average over the last sixty (60) hours of undergraduate study, and a 3.5 GPA in masters coursework.
2. Applicants must also submit a GRE scores (all sections) to Graduate Admissions. Students whose native language is not English must achieve a TOEFL score of 560 or higher.
3. Students with a non-geography degree may be required to take courses to cover their deficiencies. In exceptional cases, students may be admitted conditionally. Such students must earn a 3.0 on the first nine (9) semester hours of coursework numbered 500 or above or on all coursework taken while completing this nine (9) hour requirement in order to qualify for regular admission.
4. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation on the online application to the Department of Geography and Geology, care of the graduate coordinator.
5. Applicants must also send a personal statement as to why they want to enter the program. This statement should be limited to 750 words and should also be sent to the Geography graduate coordinator in the Department of Geography and Geology.

Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study Form to the Graduate School by the end of the second semester they are enrolled. The Plan of Study Forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php - click on the “Plans of Study” link.

Research and Scholarly Integrity Education

All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status, must complete CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The RSIE policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page –www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of eighty-four (84) graduate hours beyond the bachelor’s degree or a minimum of fifty-four (54) graduate hours beyond the master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA is required to graduate. Students must meet the general requirements set forth by The Graduate School of The University of Southern Mississippi. The following are major additional requirements:

1. Arrange for a graduate adviser by the end of the second semester.
2. GHY 710  and GHY 780 . These courses are required of all students.
3. GHY 715  and GHY 755  or their equivalent will be required of all doctoral students.
4. Gain approval of a written prospectus from a five-member doctoral committee by the end of the third semester.
5. Provide an annual research progress report to the doctoral committee after completion of the prospectus.
6. Pass a comprehensive examination (oral and written) by the end of the fifth semester.
7. Fulfill the Research Tools requirement as specified by the student’s doctoral committee and approved by the chair of the department.
8. Gain approval of a dissertation and successfully defend the dissertation at an advertised research seminar open to the public.
9. Continuous enrollment must be maintained as stated in this Bulletin.
10. Residency. Students must meet residency requirements as stated in this Buletin.
11. Research Tool(s) are required and are determined by the student’s doctoral committee.