Sustainability Specialist

Organizations of all kinds are looking for greener ways of carrying out their functions.  Sustainability specialists assess environmental practices and impacts, they recommend and implement strategies to conserve resources and seek to limit environmental damage.  Sustainability specialists must assess the impact of current operations on the environment and to determine the potential value of alternatives.  Sustainability specialists use writing, presentation and interpersonal skills to write proposals, organize projects, and urge colleagues to adopt alternative practices.

Environmental Attorney

If you are interested in pursuing a degree in Law, the knowledge gained as an Environmental Studies major is helpful for attorneys who work on environmentally related cases.  Environmental attorneys interview expert witnesses like environmental engineers, biologists, chemists and environmental scientists as they prepare and litigate their cases.  They interpret scientific material and evaluate the validity/reliability of those findings. They use advanced writing skills to compose legal briefs and other documents.

Fundraiser for Environmental Causes

Fundraisers rely on solid communication skills to compose letters and make pitches to prospective contributors. They orchestrate fundraising events and plan campaigns through all types of media.  In targeting prospective donors for contributions to environmental causes, fundraisers embrace their organizations’ goals and operations.  Environmental Studies majors gain this knowledge and convey the benefits of supporting environmental initiatives to others.

Public Relations Specialist

Environmental organizations shape public perceptions to gain political influence and financial resources for their initiatives. Public relations specialists apply environmental knowledge to write press releases about programs and activities at their employer or client organizations. They utiize advanced writing skills to develop content for the websites of environmental organizations and to compose text for fundraising brochures and letters.

Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants assess how development projects might impact the water, soil, air or wildlife in the area. All organizations must prepare environmental impact studies when they are planning to develop virgin land or repurpose currently developed land. Consultants suggest how to mitigate any potential impacts. Other jobs for consultants may be to recommend solutions to pollution issues. Environmental consultants require the communications skills to compose technical reports, to engage with the public and to deliver recommendations to clients.

Geographic Information Science - Graduate Certificate

The Geographic Information Science graduate certificate prepares graduates to work in the geospatial technology industry, as well as in allied industries that rely on employees who are highly trained in this technology. Prospective employers are private and public sector entities that need to manage large systems and big geospatial data, map and analyze health data, and map and analyze environmental conditions and resources. Examples of such employers are local, state and federal government agencies; business that focus on logistics, marketing and engineering; and non-profit agencies in health services and environmental management.

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Program Information for Geographic Information Science - Graduate Certificate

Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Certificate Requirements
GEOG 59071FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE I 3
GEOG 59081FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE II 3
GEOG 69164CARTOGRAPHIC DESIGN 3
Certificate Electives, choose from the following:6
CS 61002
ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING I
GEOG 69004
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 59072
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND HEALTH
GEOG 59075
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE: APPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS
GEOG 59076
SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
GEOG 59078
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
GEOG 69004
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 69007
SPATIOTEMPORAL ANALYTICS
GEOG 69073
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE: GLOBAL HEALTH
GEOG 69074
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR HEALTH GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 69079
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 69082
CYBERGIS
GEOG 69083
GEODATABASES
GEOG 69231
ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING
Minimum Total Credit Hours:15

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Certificate GPA Minimum Overall GPA
3.000 3.000
Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in geography or a related field1
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive)) by earning one of the following:2
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score
1

Requirement that undergraduate degree be in geography or related field may be waived with evidence of professional experience using geospatial technologies or alternative evidence of ability to excel in a geographic information science graduate program.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • Fully online
 

Environmental Geographic Information Science - Graduate Certificate

The Environmental Geographic Information Science graduate certificate prepares graduates to work in the geospatial technology industry, as well as allied industries that rely on employees who are highly trained in this technology. Prospective employers are private and public sector entities that need to map and analyze environmental conditions and resources. Examples of such employers are local, state and federal government agencies; businesses that focus on logistics, marketing and engineering; and non-profit agencies in health services and environmental management.

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Program Information for Environmental Geographic Information Science - Graduate Certificate

Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Certificate Requirements
Certificate Electives, choose from the following:15
GEOG 59072
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND HEALTH
GEOG 59078
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
GEOG 69004
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 69079
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 69083
GEODATABASES
GEOG 69164
CARTOGRAPHIC DESIGN
GEOG 69231
ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING
Minimum Total Credit Hours:15

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Certificate GPA Minimum Overall GPA
3.000 3.000
Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in geography or a related field1
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

This requirement may be waived with evidence of professional experience using geospatial technologies or alternative evidence of ability to excel in a geographic information science graduate degree program.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • Fully online

Geography - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in Geography provides specialized training and inquiry into contemporary problems in geography.

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Program Information for Geography - Ph.D.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Engage in independent research projects.
  2. Acquire experiences in formulating research problems, reviewing relevant literature, designing research methodology, analyzing research data and formulating results from academic research.
Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • GRE scores (starting with the fall 2025 admission term, the GRE will no longer be required)
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority Deadline: February 1

Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
Geography Coursework 118
Cognate Discipline 26
Additional Requirements6
Culminating Requirement
GEOG 80199DISSERTATION I 330
Minimum Total Credit Hours:60
1

Geography coursework must be graded. Maximum 3 credit hours of GEOG 80998 may count towards the geography coursework. New students are strongly encouraged to take GEOG 70800 and GEOG 79701 within the first year of their enrollment, if they have not already taken similar courses at the master's level.

2

The cognate field must be in a department other than geography. Generally, cognate study is taken with the cognate member of the student's advisory committee.

3

Candidacy examinations are taken after the dissertation proposal is approved by the committee. This should be completed by the end of the second year of doctoral study. Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for GEOG 80199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I, and thereafter GEOG 80299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Of the 30 credit hours of doctoral-level coursework required for the degree, students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours that are letter graded.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Geography - Ph.D.

Calibration technologists and technicians and engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other

2.1%

slower than the average

91,600

number of jobs

$64,190

potential earnings

Geographers

-1.2%

decline

1,600

number of jobs

$85,430

potential earnings

Geography teachers, postsecondary

2.9%

slower than the average

4,800

number of jobs

$82,330

potential earnings

Surveying and mapping technicians

0.7%

little or no change

58,400

number of jobs

$46,200

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Geography - M.S.

The Master of Science degree in Geography prepares graduate students for careers in both the academic field and non-academic jobs in various private and governmental agencies, such as urban/economic geography, social geography, physical/environmental geography and geographic information technology. Students learn geographic thought, research techniques and topical specialties while preparing to conduct original research.

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Program Information for Geography - M.S.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Acquire advanced knowledge of the concepts, theories and technology in geography.
  2. Synthesize and present concepts and theories in geography
  3. Demonstrate the ability to formulate research problems and carry out independent research projects.
Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • GRE scores (starting with the fall 2025 admission term, the GRE will no longer be required)
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: February 1

Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
GEOG 60800SEMINAR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC THOUGHT 3
GEOG 69701RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION OF GEOGRAPHIC DATA 3
Major Electives, choose from the following: 16
GEOG 59070
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59076
SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
GEOG 59080
ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59230
REMOTE SENSING
GEOG 69004
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY
Additional Program Requirements 212
Culminating Requirement
GEOG 60199THESIS I 36
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

Students who earned their bachelor's degree at Kent State University and have completed the undergraduate equivalents of any technique courses required in the master's degree can count them toward the technique courses requirement. Courses taken at the undergraduate level will not count toward the minimum total credit hour requirement for the master's degree; however, the additional technique courses will not be required.

2

Maximum 3 credit hours of research (GEOG 60996 or GEOG 60998) may count toward the M.S. degree requirements.

3

Students may elect to write a thesis or two research papers.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
GEOG 60800 SEMINAR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC THOUGHT 3
Major Electives or Additional Progam Requirements 6
 Credit Hours9
Semester Two
GEOG 69701 RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION OF GEOGRAPHIC DATA 3
Major Electives or Additional Progam Requirements 6
 Credit Hours9
Semester Three
GEOG 60199 THESIS I 3-6
Major Electives or Additional Progam Requirements 6
 Credit Hours9
Semester Four
GEOG 60199 THESIS I 0-3
 Credit Hours3
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Geography - M.S.

Geographers

-1.2%

decline

1,600

number of jobs

$85,430

potential earnings

Geography teachers, postsecondary

2.9%

slower than the average

4,800

number of jobs

$82,330

potential earnings

Surveying and mapping technicians

0.7%

little or no change

58,400

number of jobs

$46,200

potential earnings

Cartographers and photogrammetrists

4.5%

about as fast as the average

12,000

number of jobs

$68,380

potential earnings

Urban and regional planners

11.0%

much faster than the average

39,700

number of jobs

$75,950

potential earnings

Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers

4.9%

about as fast as the average

31,800

number of jobs

$93,580

potential earnings

Atmospheric and space scientists

6.4%

faster than the average

9,900

number of jobs

$99,740

potential earnings

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

17.7%

much faster than the average

738,100

number of jobs

$65,810

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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