Geography - Master of Applied Geography

Overview

The Master of Applied Geography (MAG) program at New Mexico State University’s Department of Geography & Environmental Studies provides students with a flexible, interdisciplinary graduate education that prepares them for careers in both academic and professional settings. The program offers two pathways to completion:

Thesis Option (30 credits)

This option is designed for students interested in original research, this track requires coursework, the development of a master’s thesis, and a thesis defense. Students work closely with faculty advisors and a thesis committee to produce a significant scholarly contribution to the field.

Non-Thesis (Residency) Option (30 credits)

This option is ideal for students pursuing applied, practice-based careers, this track replaces the thesis with a residency experience in an external organization, an applied residency report, and a final examination.

A Flexible and Interdisciplinary Approach

The MAG program is highly customizable, allowing students to tailor their studies to align with their academic interests and professional goals. Core coursework ensures a strong foundation in geographic theory, integrative research design, and advanced methodologies, while elective courses—drawn from geography and affiliated disciplines—enable students to develop specialized expertise in areas such as geographic information science and technology, environmental policy and planning, conservation and natural resource management, urban and regional planning, and emergency and disaster management.

Funding and Assistantships

Most MAG students receive financial support through teaching or research assistantships, which provide stipends and tuition coverage while offering valuable teaching and research experience. Additional funding opportunities are available through departmental scholarships, external grants, and professional partnerships.

Who Can Apply?

A background in geography is not required to enter the program. However, students without prior coursework in geography may be required to take preparatory courses to ensure success in graduate-level geography coursework. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with the Graduate Program Director to determine optimal pathways for meeting prerequisite requirements.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the MAG program secure careers in diverse professional and academic fields, including data and information management, cultural and natural resource management, environmental consulting, urban and regional planning, education and outreach, emergency management, and public health.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master of Applied Geography, students will be able to:

Apply advanced geographic concepts and methods to assess human and/or environmental problems.
Propose ethical solutions to complex and dynamic human and/or environmental problems using critical thinking.
Conduct all stages of an independent research project, including conceptualization, planning, implementation, management, and communication through a research report.

More Information

See the Requirements tab for details on course and credit expectations for earning the Master of Applied Geography, and the Roadmap tab for a suggested course sequence.

Course and Credit Requirements

General Information

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (GES) at NMSU offers students two options for earning a Master of Applied Geography (MAG): a thesis option and a non-thesis option. The thesis option (30 credits) represents the traditional path for earning a MAG degree and entails the completion of coursework and the writing and defense of a master’s thesis. The master’s thesis is a piece of original scholarship developed under the direction of an advisor and typically two thesis committee members. The non-thesis option (30 credits) is an alternative path for earning a MAG degree and requires the completion of coursework, the writing of a residency report, and the passing of a final exam. The residency report is a document developed during an internship or residency under the direction of a field supervisor at an agency or firm.

Undergraduate Preparation

An undergraduate geography degree is not required for entry into the MAG program. However, applicants who lack the equivalent of GEOG 1110G Physical Geography, GEOG 1130G Human Geography, and/or GEOG 2130 Map Analysis & Interpretation may be required to take these or similar courses to prepare for the graduate-level work in geography. Applicants without an undergraduate geography degree are strongly encouraged to contact the GES Graduate Program Director and their Graduate Advisor to identify optimal strategies for satisfying basic course requirements.

Course List
Prefix	Title	Credits
GEOG 1110G	Physical Geography	4
GEOG 1130G	Human Geography	3
GEOG 2130	Map Analysis & Interpretation	3

Credit, Course, and Grade Requirements

The MAG program aims at offering students flexibility in designing their desired course of graduate study while at the same time ensuring that all students have graduate-level core competencies in geographic concepts and methods. To that end, all students pursuing the MAG degree are required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits, including 9 core course credits, 6 thesis credits (thesis option) or 6 residency credits (non-thesis option), and 15 elective credits. Of the 30 graduate credits, at least 15 credits must be in geography and at least 15 credits must be at the 500-level or above. All MAG students must earn a grade of B- or better in the 3 core courses (GEOG 501 Geographic Theory and Application, GEOG 502 Integrative Research Design, and GEOG 584 Qualitative, Critical, and Creative Methodologies or GEOG 585 Spatial Analysis and Modeling). All candidates are moreover required to maintain an overall GPA or 3.00 or higher.

Course List
Prefix	Title	Credits
Core Geography Courses ¹		9
GEOG 501	Geographic Theory and Application	3
GEOG 502	Integrative Research Design	3
GEOG 584	Qualitative, Critical, and Creative Methodologies	3
or GEOG 585	Spatial Analysis and Modeling
Elective Courses ²		15
Select additional courses in geography and/or other disciplines.
At least 6 of the elective credits must be in geography.
At least 6 of the elective credits must be at the 500-level or above.
Thesis / Residency Credits ³		6
GEOG 599	Master's Thesis	6
or GEOG 596	Residency

¹: Students must earn a grade of B- or better in all 3 core courses.
²: Students may be required to take additional courses that their committee deems necessary for the successful completion of the thesis research.
³: For more information regarding the master’s thesis requirement, please visit this GES website.

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students

The following road map is a guide for full-time students (9 credits/semester for graduate assistants and/or graduate students receiving financial aid) to earn the Master of Applied Geography (MAG) degree and achieve the following MAG program learning outcomes:

Apply advanced geographic concepts and methods to assess human and/or environmental problems.
Propose ethical solutions to complex and dynamic human and/or environmental problems using critical thinking.
Conduct all stages of an independent research project, including conceptualization, planning, implementation, management, and communication through a research report.

The road map assumes that each student will create a customized plan for degree completion in consultation with their graduate faculty committee. We realize that students may deviate from the road map for various reasons but expect that they diligently attempt to meet the milestones outlined below.