Overview

Key Features

The Geography program from Portland State University offers several advanced degrees: the Master’s programs discussed below; a Ph.D. in Earth, Environment, and Society delivered through the Geography Department’s partnership in the School of the Environment; and a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems. Students may pursue either the Master of Arts (M.A.) or the Master of Science (M.S.) to prepare for careers in the private or public sector, or as a step to a Ph.D. program.

The program requirements are flexible, and students work closely with their advisors to design a course of study tailored to their interests. Many incoming graduate students enter the program with a degree in a field other than geography; we welcome applications from students regardless of major. Faculty research and teaching interests encompass a wide range of subjects, approaches, and regions, including climate change, water resources, forest and fire ecology, community resilience, spatial cognition, geovisualization, and GIS to name a few.

Career opportunities:

With your Geography program from Portland State University, you will be equipped to examine human impact on the earth and how humans can mitigate or adapt to climate change, ecological disasters, and resource scarcity. The Portland metro area alone contains an enormous need for scientists who can analyze geographical challenges and offer practical and policy recommendations to policymakers.

The graduates have ended up working as climate scientists, hydrologists, data managers, spatial analysts, policy analysts, GIScientists, disaster risk reduction experts, resource management specialists at a variety of federal, municipal, and private organizations, including the USDA, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the City of Portland. Graduates do important work in analyzing hazards such as floods, fires, heavy precipitation, and use their mapping skills to identify which populations might be at risk or vulnerable to severe impacts.

The graduate students are currently engaging in questions of how cities can protect vulnerable populations, and how scientific findings can be transferred to policymaking, and how natural resources can be sustainably and fairly managed. Students also work with a variety of practitioners on how the city can plan for change and build resilience by providing scientifically and socially relevant information that can inform policymaking.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Geographic Thought

Geographic Research and Applications

Research Design

Thesis

Geographic Research and Applications

Field Methods in Human Geography

Cultural Geography

Urban Landscapes

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-30 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

45 SCH

45: Thesis
54: Non-Thesis

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Geography View 175 other Masters in Geography in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

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.

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Minimum Requirements: GPA of 3.0 or higher in undergraduate degree work

Potential Advisor: Prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact the faculty member(s) whose interests match the student's academic and professional interests before completing their application.

Essay: In 2-3 pages please tell us why you are interested in graduate work in the PSU Geography Department, what you understand the field to be and where your greatest interests within geography lie, who among the faculty you would like to work with, and whether you have communicated with them.
References: Submit contact information for at least three individuals who can comment on your academic performance or attest to your skills as they pertain to your selected program of study. Portland State University will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms.

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

8832 USD / year

≈ 8832 USD / year
Out-of-State

8832 USD / year

≈ 8832 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

5988 USD / year

≈ 5988 USD / year

Living costs

Portland

United States

1271 - 2262 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

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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.

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About

Overview

Key Features

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

Living costs

Portland

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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