How to Get a PhD in Geography

Geographers study the earth and its inhabitants, becoming experts in both the physical and the social elements of our changing world. A doctor of philosophy (PhD) is the terminal degree in geography, and it indicates mastery of general geographic principles as well as in a given area of specialization.

Geographers often establish careers as urban planners, environmental analysts, map makers, teachers, and regional analysts for both the public and the private sectors. A PhD in geography qualifies you to work in the upper echelons of these industries, including teaching at a university. If you're interested in earning a doctorate in geography, there are various on-campus and online grad schools to choose from. With the following information and steps to narrow your search, you can be well on your way to continuing your education.

A PhD in Geography: More Than Just Maps

Before applying to a graduate geography program, you should research the field of geography and all of its components. On a broad level, geography is divided into physical geography and human geography. Physical geography is the study of earth processes, land formations (geomorphology), climatology, and the environment, while human geography (also called cultural geography) addresses the human presence on earth by studying cultural origins, movement, and characteristics.

Physical and human geography overlap since humans have an impact on their physical environment, and physical environment affects how cultures evolve and define themselves. Specializations within physical and human geography vary depending on the school and program, but in general, PhD programs involve the following requirements:

• Core Courses: All doctoral students in geography must take several core courses to gain knowledge of the field as a whole. These courses are usually taken in the first or second year of graduate study.

• Field of Specialization: In addition to core courses, students take classes in their chosen field of interest. These courses are frequently small seminars or independent study and are completed in the third or fourth year.

• Comprehensive Exams: When PhD candidates complete their coursework, they must pass several written and oral examinations to demonstrate mastery of the subject. These exams must be passed before PhD candidates embark on independent research.

• Dissertation: A dissertation is a publishable, book-length work that students write based on original research. Generally a dissertation takes a year or more to complete, making the program at least four years long.

These requirements give you a sense of what to expect from any PhD in geography program, and the following steps can help you narrow your focus to a program that matches your interests, goals, and lifestyle.

How to Apply for a PhD in Geography

Applying to graduate school can feel like a daunting task, but with organization and thorough research, you can make the experience straightforward and effective.

Choosing the Right Program

You want to apply to a graduate program that's right for you, but the sheer number of degree programs can leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed. By strategically sorting programs based on their qualifications and your goals, you can narrow your program options down to a reasonable number of schools.

Step 1: Research Campus and Online Grad Schools

The first step in applying to a graduate geography program is making a list of options. Web sites such as WorldWideLearn.com can connect you to on-campus and online grad schools based on your interests, which allows you to make a preliminary list. Before including a school on your list, you should consider the following factors:

Accreditation

Accreditation can be an important indicator of a graduate school in geography's legitimacy and effectiveness. In order to become accredited, graduate schools and programs must be reviewed by private accreditation agencies to ensure they meet certain quality standards. Graduating from an accredited PhD program demonstrates the program's quality to future employers.

On-Campus vs. Online Schools

With Internet technology continually improving, many schools offer an online PhD in geography that brings classes into your home. These programs allow you to study and attend class without relocating or leaving your current job. Some online PhD programs offer a hybrid option that allows you to take courses on campus as well as online. When weighing the benefits of on-campus and online degree programs, keep the following factors in mind:

Scheduling: Do you plan to work full time while attending school, or will you be a full-time student? If financial constraints or parenting duties prevent you from attending school full time, the flexibility of online PhD programs may make the most sense. With an online PhD in geography, you can achieve a terminal degree without sacrificing your current income.

If you have flexibility in your schedule and enjoy traditional classroom learning, an on-campus or hybrid program might be your best option. Many full-time PhD programs offer funding through grants and teaching fellowships to offset costs.

Career Goals: If you're interested in entering a professional geographic field, an online PhD in geography can help you learn without putting your career on hold. If you plan to go into academia after earning your PhD, on-campus programs offer teaching opportunities, a community of scholars, and top-notch research facilities to prepare you for a career as a professor or researcher.

Location: Location is clearly an important factor for on-campus and hybrid programs, since you'll likely need to live within commuting distance of the school. Ask yourself if you're willing to re-locate or if you need to find a program nearby.

After considering these factors, you should be able to construct a preliminary list of schools that meets this basic criteria. You can then refine this list by carefully weighing the school's offerings against your areas of interest.

Step 2: Create a Shortlist of PhD Programs That Match Your Goals

Now that you have a long list of available programs, it's time to narrow your focus and reduce the list to programs with features and specializations you're interested in. Common specializations within geography include:

• Physical Geography: Physical geography is the study of earth processes and the effects of human activity. The field is closely linked to the natural sciences, and physical geographers can become experts in climatology, biogeography, and geomorphology, among other earth sciences.

• Economic Geography: Economic geography studies the distribution and location of economic activities. Economic geographers investigate transportation, world trade, agriculture, and distribution, and they often work as policy advisors or researchers.

• Environmental Geography: Environmental geography focuses on the effects of human activity on the environment. Experts in the field specialize in pollution reduction, hazard perception, disaster planning, and energy-resource management.

• Human and Cultural Geography: Human and cultural geographers study cultural origin, movement, and characteristics like language, religion, politics, and ethnicity. The field is closely tied to anthropology and archaeology, and human geographers often focus on a specific region or time period.

• Urban and Regional Planning: Urban and regional planning applies principles of geography to a given community or area. Geographers studying to become urban planners take courses in population, resource planning, utilities, waste management, and social services.

• Geographic Technology: Geographic technology involves the use of computer systems and mapping devices to represent geographic data. Many geographers studying geographic technology go into map making (cartography) or remote sensing (the study of landforms from a distance).

Whichever field of geography you choose to pursue, you want to be sure the PhD programs you apply to feature courses in your area of interest. School Web sites, admissions counselors, and information packets are excellent resources for discovering what a program offers.

Step 3: Carefully Evaluate Each PhD Program

Once you've narrowed your original list to include only the schools that offer courses in your area of concentration, you can evaluate each school based on its defining characteristics. The following features of both on-campus and online PhD programs in geography should be taken into account when making your final decision about where to apply:

• Faculty: If you're pursuing a PhD to achieve career goals, faculty with first-hand experience in the field may be the most helpful. Conversely, instructors who have built a career in academia and research may serve as mentors for students looking to become professors. You can research a professor's background and publication history either online or through a school admissions officer.

• Program History: While new PhD programs in Geography may have a lot to offer, those with long histories generally have consistent funding and proven track records. Online materials, admissions officers, and information packets can tell you when a given school or geography program was established.

• Graduation and Placement Rates: While researching schools, look for statistics about recent graduates--how long does it take the average graduate to find employment? What fields do most graduates enter? Look for a school with graduates entering the fields you're interested in.

• Funding: If you're planning to apply to on-campus versus online PhD programs, funding can be a deciding factor in your decision. Many universities offer funding and teaching opportunities for PhD candidates, and you can learn more about each school's funding options through the admissions office or financial aid officers.

• Reputation: Each school means something different in the eyes of employers, so it's important to ask others in the industry about the reputation of schools you apply to. A school's reputation may vary between academia and the professional world, so research based on your ultimate career goal.

Taking your field of interest and a program's faculty, history, graduate placement rates, funding, and reputation into account, you can narrow your list of PhD programs even further. Applications are time consuming and can be costly, so you can save yourself time and money by carefully assessing each school before you apply.

Step 4: Apply to the PhD Programs You Select

Now that you have a final list of schools to apply to, read application instructions carefully and note when each application is due. It's often helpful to list application requirements in the order they're due so you don't miss any early due dates.

Specific requirements vary by school, but many PhD programs in geography require applicants to hold at least a bachelor's degree and submit the following materials:

• Transcripts: PhD programs review transcripts from any higher education institution you've attended, paying attention to grades earned and courses taken. Often, PhD programs require candidates to have completed a certain number of pre-requisite courses before enrolling.

• Test Scores: Many doctoral programs require applicants to submit GRE scores as part of their applications. For competitive programs, scores of successful applicants are generally high.

• Statement of Purpose: A statement of purpose tells the school where you've been and where you hope to go. It is a chance for you to convince admissions officers that you would be successful as a student and go on to make significant contributions to the field of geography.

• Letters of Recommendation: PhD programs generally require two to three letters of recommendation from applicants' teachers, colleagues, or employers. You should choose recommenders that know you and your accomplishments well and give them at least a month to write and send letters.

• Supplemental Materials: Many PhD programs are interested in your publication history and professional accomplishments, so they may ask for copies of published materials or additional information about your work history.

Graduate school applications are thorough and must be submitted thoughtfully, so don't wait until the last minute to get your materials in order. It often takes several months to take the required tests, obtain letters of recommendations, and write an effective statement of purpose.

Building a Career in Geography

Because a PhD in geography is the field's terminal degree, it signifies an unparalleled level of scholarly learning and expertise. This qualification makes doctoral graduates in geography eligible for high-ranking positions in the field's multiple career paths. Some of the most common geography careers include:

• Teaching
• Urban planning
• Environmental analysis
• Waste management
• Market research
• Cartography
• Remote-sensing analysis
• Community development
• Soil conservation
• Environmental and foreign policy advising

Geography's multiple facets mean a variety of career options, and graduates of geography PhD programs are qualified to shoot to the top of their field of interest. With online PhD programs and on-campus options available, a PhD in geography is more accessible than ever, and it's never too late to start learning.

Sources

• Association of American Geographers, AAG Careers Guide
• Association of American Geographers, What Is Geography?
• U.S. Department of Education, Accreditation
• University of California Los Angeles, Department of Geography - PhD Program
• University of California Los Angeles, Admissions - Graduate Admissions Information
• About.com, Geography - Geography Jobs