San Francisco State University
Department of Geography & Human Environmental Studies

HOW TO GET YOUR M.A. IN GEOGRAPHY

Department Application Deadlines:
Fall: Apr. 1st
Spring: Nov. 1st

Downloads
MA Coursework Requirements (link)
Official SFSU Graduate Studies forms (link)
Download this page (pdf)
Geography Literacy Committee Policy (pdf)
Research Proposal Presentation Policy (pdf)
Graduate Culminating Experience Overview (pdf)
Geog 895: Recommended Books (pdf)
IRB protocol tips (pdf)

This handout supplements the graduate section in the SFSU Bulletin. Notices and announcements are also posted regularly on the bulletin board to the left of the Map Library or sent out via email. In addition, each grad student has a mailbox in the Map Library; check it regularly for flyers, articles, returned papers and other communiqués from faculty or students.

For specific information and guidance pertaining to your program, please see a Grad Advisor at
least once a semester:

MA in Geography
Nancy Wilkinson, HSS 279, 338-1439 nancyw@sfsu.edu
Andrew Oliphant, HSS 273, 405-2143 andrewo@sfus.edu

MA in Geography: Concentration in Resource Mgmt & Env Planning
Barbara Holzman, HSS 267, 338-7506 bholzman@sfsu.edu
Fall only: Nancy Wilkinson, HSS 279, 338-1439 nancyw@sfsu.edu

Other important contacts:
Bernadette Lee, Office Coordinator, 338-2049 balee@sfsu.edu
Map Library, 338-1145 (Dan Hermstad, Alan Wiig)
Geographic Analysis Teaching Lab, 338-3566 (Barry Nickel)

Summary of Steps for Completing a Masters in Geography
1. Apply to the University and the Department.
Send application and official transcripts to the Admissions office. Send Statement of Purpose, two letters of recommendation, GRE scores and unofficial transcripts to the Department.

2. Respond to notification of admission (Classified, Conditionally Classified or Unclassified.) Let us know you’re coming, and please advise us of any changes in your street address, phone number or email address.

3. Complete specified prerequisite courses by the stated deadline, if you’re Conditionally Classified. If you already have coursework in related areas, you may be able to satisfy Geog 101 or 102 by directed readings (Geog 699) with an appropriate professor. When you've satisfied all conditions for classification, bring an unofficial transcript to Nancy Wilkinson, who will update your file and prepare a Report of Completion of Specified Graduate Requirements.

(Note: If you are Unclassified, you may register for prerequisite courses but you must apply for Advancement to Classified Graduate Standing before your coursework is applicable to the MA in Geography. )

4. Satisfy Graduate Literacy Requirement. The Graduate Literacy Committee will review your work in Geog 801 and may require you to take a writing course that will not count toward your Graduate program. You’ll receive notification of the committee’s decision by the end of the semester in which you take Geog 801.

5. Complete your coursework in consultation with a Grad Advisor and other faculty. Projected Graduate Offerings (see University Bulletin for course requirements and prerequisites)

6. File your Graduate Approved Program when you have about six units of coursework left. Begin thinking about your program early and consider it each term as you select courses in consultation with a Grad Advisor. Refer to the SFSU Bulletin (hard copy or online) for prerequisite information and other requirements.

The ground rules:

• More than half of your GAP units must be at the graduate level (700 or 800 series.)
• All courses except Geog 895/898 must be graded, and you must earn at least a B- in each.
• Prerequisite coursework, Internships and Geog 897 are never included on the GAP.
• Once you file a GAP, any change requires a Petition for Substitution or Exception.
• Your GAP must be on file before the Grad Division will accept your Proposal for Culminating Experience (a.k.a. Thesis
Proposal.)

7. Build your Culminating Experience (thesis/project) Committee.
Two members of your Committee, including the Committee Chair, must be tenured/tenure-track faculty members in Geography. You may include a third member from Geography or outside, if you or your committee members believe this would be helpful. The third member does not need to be tenured/tenure-track faculty.

8. Submit your Proposal for Culminating Experience. Your GAP specifies whether you’re doing a Thesis (Geog 898) or a Research Paper and comprehensive oral exam (Geog 895.) The Proposal for Culminating Experience establishes your title and a brief description of your topic, methods and resources. Prepare it in consultation with your Culminating Experience Committee. If your research involves surveys or interviews, you will need to file a Human Subjects Protocol form.) The Proposal and Protocol must be on file with the Grad Division the semester before you register for Geog 895/898.

Note: Any significant change in your Culminating Experience title, committee or research requires an Amendment form.

9. Enroll in Geog 895/898 the following semester.
If you fail to register for Geog 895/898 before you stop attending courses, you may need to
reapply to the University the semester before you expect to graduate.

10. Work on your thesis/research paper in consultation with your committee.
You have seven years from the month when you began the first course on your GAP to
Complete your Culminating Experience. If you are in danger of exceeding the seven-year
limit, contact your Committee Chair and the Department Chair right away to see if you qualify
for an Extension.

11. Continue to enroll part-time one semester each year as long as you are using department or
University resources. SFSU considers you “active” as long as you register at least part-time in the Spring or Fall semester of each academic year. Once you have completed your GAP coursework, you may enroll in Geog 897, Research Project Formulation (an individual study course that’s taken CR/NCR and isn’t included on the GAP) OR Geog 895/898.

DO NOT enroll in Geog 895 Research Project or Geog 898 Thesis more than once! You will continue to receive RD (report delayed) until you complete your culminating experience and submit appropriate paperwork.

12. Enroll part-time in the semester you will graduate. You may be eligible to enroll in Geog 897 through the College of Extended Learning if you have been on leave (not enrolled) for two or more successive semesters. Please check with the Graduate Division to learn about policies in effect at the time you graduate.

13. File an Application for Graduation by the posted deadline of the term you expect to graduate. Ask your Culminating Experience Committee for help in judging whether it is time to apply for graduation.

14. Schedule a defense date with your committee; notify the Department Chair. Thesis
defenses last two hours, include a presentation, questions and discussion. Research project orals
focus on the research project (first hour), then on six books selected from a list maintained by the Department (second hour.)

15. Deliver a finished copy of your thesis or research project to the Department Office one week
before your defense so it is available for other faculty to review.

16. Deliver one signed final copy of your Research Project to the Department after your defense. The Grad Division needs only a copy of your Abstract and the Report of Completion.

Or
Deliver at least two copies of your thesis to the Graduate Division after your defense (one for the Department, one for the Library, and additional copies for yourself, mentors and loved ones, etc.) as well as a Report of Completion of Specified Graduate Requirements. Additional paperwork may be required; please consult the Grad Division and Department Chair. In particular, if you registered for Geog 895/898 in a previous semester, you will need to file a Petition for Change of Grade.

17. Attend the Department Graduation Party near the end of the semester when you graduate –
or any time you want to reconnect with the Department.

18. Attend Commencement in May after your defense.