Miami University

departmental research specializations

The M.A. in geography is designed around six broadly defined yet interrelated research interests of the department. These are Critical Geographies, Geographic Information Science, Landscape Analysis and Environmental Change, Regional Studies, Sustainable Development, and Urban Worlds. The work of several faculty cut across these specializations. Research and internships undertaken by graduate students also cut across these areas. Below is a list of faculty who research and advise students under these themes.

  • Critical Geographies - Carl Dahlman, Bruce D'Arcus, Marcia England, Tom Klak, and David Prytherch
  • Geographic Information Science - Robbyn Abbitt, Mary Henry, John Maingi, and Bill Renwick
  • Landscape Analysis and Environmental Change - Jerry Green, Mary Henry, Tom Klak, John Maingi, Kim Medley, and William Renwick
  • Regional Studies - Carl Dahlman, Tom Klak, Kim Medley, David Prytherch, Stan Toops, and Ian Yeboah
  • Sustainable Development - Jerry Green, Tom Klak, Kim Medley, Stan Toops, and Ian Yeboah
  • Urban Worlds - Bruce D'Arcus, Marcia England, David Prytherch, Jim Rubenstein, and Ian Yeboah

Application and Admission

Application for admission to the graduate program in geography is made through the graduate school, which forwards the application to the geography department program. Three letters of reference and a Statement of Research Purpose should be mailed directly to the Geography Department and NOT to the Graduate School. Your 1-2 page Statement of Research Purpose should describe 1) your preparations for graduate study in geography, including the most relevant course work and/or work experience, 2) your principal area(s) of research interest, 3) your particular interest in the geography graduate program at Miami University, and 4) the faculty member(s) that most closely match your research interests and with whom you may potentially work.

If the applicant is acceptable to both the department and the Graduate School, admission is granted. Applications for most available graduate assistantships are evaluated by the geography department, and awards are made on the basis of academic qualifications. Awards are made for one year, with the understanding that if assistantships are available and if the student maintains good academic standing, the award will be renewed for a second year. Assistantships normally are not renewed beyond the second year.

Prerequisites for graduate work are introductory human geography, introductory physical geography, cartography, a quantitative methods course, and two additional advanced geography courses. These prerequisites may be waived if the necessary subject matter has been addressed within the broader context of other course work completed for the baccalaureate degree. If quantitative methods and cartography/GIS were not taken as part of a student's undergraduate program, graduate courses in these topics must be taken during a student's first two semesters in residence.