Geography Graduate Program at UConn

Master's Program

Students take a small number of core courses in research methods and design, and select an area of specialization in consultation with their advisers for the remainder of their course work and research. Potential students are encouraged to review titles of recent M.A. Theses and Ph.D. Dissertations for departmental and faculty interests and specializations.

Candidates for the M.A. in Geography may pursue either Plan A or Plan B:

  • The thesis plan requires the completion of 21 credits of course work, 9 credits of research,  and the successful preparation and oral defense of a thesis.
  • The non-thesis plan requires the completion of 30 credits of course work, a scholarly research paper, and a comprehensive final examination.

Detailed degree requirements are available in the graduate school catalog.

For additional information please contact the Coordinator of the Graduate Program: Professor Nat Trumbull.

Ph.D. Program

We are particularly proud of our Ph.D. program. The typical completion time is three to five years, depending on preparation, and we have been successful in placing our graduates in tenure-track faculty positions. One reason for the quick completion time and successful placement of our graduates is the close one-to-one relationship we develop between our students and faculty as evidenced by the large number of student publications co-authored with faculty and the large number of small enrollment classes we are able to offer.

Potential students are encouraged to review titles of recent M.A. Theses and Ph.D. Dissertations for departmental and faculty interests and specializations.

The fundamental requirements for the Ph.D. degree are the completion of necessary courses, a Ph.D. examination, a dissertation proposal and defense, and successfully defending a Ph.D. Dissertation. Detailed degree requirements are available in the graduate school catalog.

We strongly advise that students discuss their pending application with a potential Ph.D. adviser from the Department.

The department offers a very competitive funding package, including stipend, tuition, and fringe benefits. The graduate stipends start at over $24,000 for the academic year 2020-21.  More details can be found here:  https://payroll.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2008/2019/04/Graduate-Assistant-Stipends-Fall-2020-Spring-2021.pdf.

For additional information please contact the Coordinator of the Graduate Program: Professor Nat Trumbull.

Last updated: 09-01-2022