Geography

Overview

Graduates of the Geography MA program from Arizona State University  find career opportunities in public and private industries, including education, government agencies and research facilities, as well as continue on to pursue doctoral degrees. Our program is flexible and allows for the pursuit of the individual needs and interests of students, allowing students to create a plan of study that fits their personal and professional goals.

In addition to the innovative coursework of our program, our state-of-the-art research centers, Spatial Analysis Research Center (SPARC) and Urban Climate Research Center (UCRC), offer students the opportunity to work with our exceptional faculty on diverse research projects. Students will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in geography, including four members of the National Academy of Sciences and rising talent in the fields of urban heat island research, GIS and more.

The opportunity for specialization will not only allow you to hone your skills, but to also explore other related topics within the field of geography. That's because we place our focus on location – the heart of geography, urban planning, climatology, and GIS – and from that foundation, we develop cutting-edge techniques and solutions to the complex issues facing society.

Career Opportunities

Professionals with expertise in geographical sciences research, theory and practice are in high demand across sectors and industries, including consulting firms, government agencies, community organizations and public and private research facilities. Skills in geographical data analysis, mapping and climate science are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on research-based approaches to solve complex real-world problems.

Some graduates of the program continue on to pursue doctoral degrees.

Career examples include:

• environmental scientist or specialist
• geographic information systems technician
• geological materials technician
• geophysical data technician
• geoscientist
• geospatial information scientist or technologist