Overview

The Geography programme at San Diego State University provides a comprehensive graduate education designed for students pursuing professional careers or further doctoral studies. This versatile programme allows candidates to specialise in diverse areas ranging from human and environmental geography to technical fields like watershed science. Students benefit from a close-knit academic community where faculty and postgraduates collaborate on original research projects.

Why Geography at San Diego State University?

The department is distinguished by its collegial atmosphere and the strong working relationships maintained between students and academic staff. Facilities include specialised laboratory environments that support advanced spatial analysis and environmental research. While many students focus on regional challenges in San Diego, the university provides unique opportunities for international fieldwork in locations such as Mexico, South Africa, Ghana, China, and Ecuador.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 8548 per year
National fee: USD 8548 per year
Local fee: USD 8548 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires a minimum of 30 units of coursework, including core requirements and specialised electives. Students must complete an original thesis project under the guidance of a faculty chair. Modules may include:

Geographic Research Design
Geographic Theory
Thesis
Geographic Information Systems
Big Data Analytics
Computer Programming for GIS
Spatial Database Management
Computer Cartography
Remote Sensing

Careers with Geography

Graduates are equipped to address global challenges such as climate change, urban expansion, and social justice. The programme prepares individuals for technical and analytical roles across government agencies, research institutes, and private consultancies. Recent alumni have secured diverse professional positions, including:

Research Scientist in Conservation Biology
Data Scientist
Environmental Planner
GIS Specialist
Computer Scientist
Geographer for the US Geological Survey
Environmental Scientist
Research Analyst
Stormwater Grants Program Manager

These roles span various sectors, from water district management and environmental monitoring to federal geological research and food and agriculture analysis.

Programme Structure

Courses include

Water Resources

Advanced Watershed Analysis

Cartographic Design

GIS Programming with Python

Geographic Information Systems Applications

Quantitative Methods in Geographic Research

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

San Diego, United States

Disciplines

Geography View 171 other Masters in Geography in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

You can apply to SDSU as a graduate student if you:

have earned an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or one approved by a Ministry of Education or
will have earned an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or one approved by a Ministry of Education by the term immediately prior to enrollment.
have a minimum U.S. equivalent GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 (B grade or about 80%) or higher is required to be considered for admission.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

11548 USD / year

≈ 11548 USD / year
Out-of-State

11548 USD / year

≈ 11548 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

8548 USD / year

≈ 8548 USD / year

Additional Details

Non-resident tuition: Add $444 per unit to the basic tuition and fees listed above.

Living costs

San Diego

United States

1400 - 2455 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Geography.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

San Diego

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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