credit hours
36 Credit Hours
Geography, M.A.
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Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Geography emphasizes the application of geographic skills, methods, and theory to problem solving in contemporary society and provides students with a strong foundation in spatial, locational, and planning theory, research methods (quantitative and qualitative), and Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T) for future careers as professional geographers, research and/or marketing specialists, location analysts, planners, transportation specialists, geographic information analysts, and private consultants. Interested students have also achieved success in going on to PhD studies. One of the program’s greatest strengths is the collaborative relationship between students and faculty. Research partnerships and a strong sense of community among students themselves are considered essential components of the learning and teaching environment in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences and at UNC Charlotte more generally.
An additional strength is community engagement with local partners. Students engage in service- or problem-based learning, participatory research and outreach with neighborhoods, and/or internships with local businesses, non-profits, and public agencies. Students are actively involved in research, scholarship, and professional development that is rigorous and reflective of real-world needs in the Charlotte community and beyond.
Program Contact
Michael Ewers
Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences Graduate Program Director
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Business Location and Transportation Analytics Concentration
The Business Location & Transportation Analytics Concentration aims to enhance students’ knowledge of theories, techniques, and models of business location analytics and transportation analytics used by practitioners in the public and private sectors of the economy.
Geographic Information Science and Technologies (GIS&T) Concentration
The Geographic Information Science & Technology Concentration examines the nature of geographic data and information, and methods of capture, measurement, analysis and modeling of this information to advance our understanding of complex geographic phenomena.
Human and Environmental Systems Concentration
The Human-Environment Systems Concentration focuses on interactions between human social systems and their associated physical environment. Students integrate coursework and research in urban ecology, environmental justice and equity, environmental and social sustainability, planning, climate change, paleoecology and earth sciences.
Urban and Regional Analysis Concentration
The Urban and Regional Analysis Concentration emphasizes place-based learning and research on pressing social, economic, political and cultural dynamics facing cities, and the urban systems to which they belong. The concentration trains students to apply traditional and innovative methods and theoretical perspectives on urban form, function and interconnections at all geographic scales with a view to addressing contemporary challenges.
Urban Planning Concentration
The Urban Planning Concentration provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge that they can complement with elective courses related to economic development, ecological conservation, social justice, land use policy, urban design, and transportation. Individual students’ interests and career goals further define capstone research projects that may incorporate economic, social, environmental, or geospatial modeling.
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