Graduate Degree Programs
The Geography Department at the University of Denver marks its 60th anniversary in 2005, and has been offering graduate degrees since its inception. The department currently offers MA and Ph.D. degrees in Geography and the MS in Geographic Information Science. With a permanent faculty of nine, we have strengths in several substantive areas, and maintain a good balance among human geography, physical geography, and geographic information science. The graduate population ranges from 30 to 35 students, roughly two-thirds of which are in residence at any given time. Our modest size affords many advantages – small classes, personal attention, excellent financial aid packages, job placement assistance, and the chance to develop rewarding relationships with faculty, staff, and other students. The department also boasts outstanding facilities and resources, with newly renovated and updated offices, labs, and classroom space, and offers numerous opportunities for field training through a range of trips and courses, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Graduates from this department have enjoyed considerable success in securing employment related to their training and interests. Recent alumni with human geography emphases are currently working for state and local planning agencies, developers, consulting firms, and private industry in Colorado and elsewhere. Those with interest in physical geography have found employment in federal and state agencies, environmental consulting firms, and private enterprises. Alumni completing the MS/GIS degree are now employed by planning and environmental consultants and GIS companies. In addition, numerous graduates of the doctoral program hold faculty teaching positions with colleges and universities around the country.
Deadlines and Admissions Requirements
Application Deadline
January 15 for Fall Quarter admission and financial aid consideration. (MS-GIS program has quarterly deadlines for admission only)
Admission Requirements
- GRE test (verbal + quantitative) 1000 points or higher.
- Undergraduate - GPA 3.0 or better.
- Graduate GPA 3.5 or better.
- For non-native English speakers: TOEFL test 570 points for paper test or 230 for computer test. If candidate is applying for financial assistance through a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, he/she must score at least 50 points on the TSE test.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Applicants statement of interest.
MSGIS Admission Requirements (Only)
Applicants to the MSGISc degree program exceptions:
- If your undergraduate GPA is not at least a 3.0, you may request a waiver of the undergraduate GPA requirement (number 2 above) by earning at least a 3.5 GPA in 12 or more credit hours in the University of Denver GIS Certificate Program. The waiver has to be approved by the Dean before file is review by the faculty.
- Successfully completing the 24-credit hour GIS Certificate Program with a GPA of 3.5 or better will automatically waive the GRE requirement (number 3 above). This means that there is no need for the Dean’s approval. The Admission’s Office and the department of Geography will not need the GRE scores for evaluation.
- You can only apply the GIS Certificate Program GPA of 3.5 or better to either the undergraduate GPA or GRE scores (when taken 12 or more credits in the certificate program). Example: if you request a waiver for your undergraduate GPA because is lower than 3.0, you still need to have your GRE scores submitted with your application packet.
August 26, 2007