Graduate Program

Graduate Advisor
geography@unm.edu

Graduate applicants direct correspondence to Graduate Advisor.

Program Application Deadline for Fall is February 1.


Degree and Certificate Offered

  • Master of Science in Geography (M.S.)
    Concentrations: Environmental Studies (human/environmental interaction), Geographic Information Science (GIS, GPS and remote sensing).
  • Graduate Certificate in Law, Environment, and Geography (GCERT)

Master of Science in Geography

A Master’s degree is offered under both Plan I and Plan II as described in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog. Any student planning to go on for a Ph.D. is strongly urged to take Plan I and write a thesis. A minor may be taken under either plan with the approval of the Geography and Environmental Studies Department’s Graduate Advisory Committee. In place of a minor, approved courses in related fields may be substituted.

Minimum requirements for the M.S. in Geography degree are as follows:

    Credit
Hours
GEOG 501 History and Methods in Geography 3
GEOG 502 Approaches to Geographic Research 3
Plan I Concentration in Environmental Studies
(Additional courses)
GEOG 514
-or-
GEOG 515
-or-
GEOG 516
-or-
GEOG 517
Natural Resources Management Seminar

Cultural and Political Ecology

Seminar: Globalization

Legal Geography
3
Two additional courses from the Environmental Studies List: *445, *450, 514, 515, 516, 517, 561, 562, 563, 564, 566, 567. 6
One course from the GIScience List: *481L, 522, 524, 525, 527, 528, 580L, 581L, 583L, 584L, 585L, 586L, 587L, 588L. 3-4
Two elective courses 6
Thesis 6
Total 30-31
Plan I Concentration in Geographic Information Science  
(Additional courses)  
GEOG 525 Advanced GIScience Seminar 3
Three additional courses from the GIScience List: *481L, 522, 524, 527, 528, 580L, 581L, 583L, 584L, 585L, 586L, 587L, 588L. 9-11
One course from the Environmental Studies List: *445, *450, 514, 515, 516, 517, 561, 562, 563, 564, 566, 567. 3
One elective course 3
Thesis 6
Total 30-32
Plan II Concentration in Environmental Studies  
(Additional courses)  
GEOG 514
-or-
GEOG 515
-or-
GEOG 516
-or-
GEOG 517
Natural Resources Management Seminar

Cultural and Political Ecology

Seminar: Globalization

Legal Geography
3
Three additional courses from the Environmental Studies List: *445, *450, 514, 515, 516, 517, 561, 562, 563, 564, 566, 567. 9
One course from the GIScience List: *481L, 522, 524, 525, 527, 528, 580L, 581L, 583L, 584L, 585L, 586L, 587L, 588L. 3-4
GEOG 597 Master's Project 3
Three elective courses 9
Total 33-34
Plan II Concentration in Geographic Information Science
(Additional courses)
GEOG 525 Advanced GIScience Seminar 3
Four additional courses from the GIScience List: *481L, 522, 524, 527, 528, 580L, 581L, 583L, 584L, 585L, 586L, 587L, 588L. 12-14
Two courses from the Environmental Studies List: *445, *450, 514, 515, 516, 517, 561, 562, 563, 564, 566, 567. 6
GEOG 597 Master's Project 3
One elective course 3
Total 33-35


Candidates under Plan I are examined orally on their thesis. Candidates under Plan II are examined orally on the advanced research project assigned in GEOG 597 by his or her graduate committee from the two areas listed below.

  1. Environmental Studies (human/environmental interaction)
  2. Geographic Information Science (GIS, GPS and remote sensing)

A graduate student who elects to pursue a Master’s degree in geography should have either an undergraduate degree in geography (or related field) or be prepared to make up deficiencies as determined by the Geography and Environmental Studies Department’s Graduate Advisory Committee. Students must select an advisor who helps them design their programs and guide them through their tenure in the department. All programs are subject to approval by the Graduate Advisory Committee. Students must earn grades of B (3.0 GPA) or better in all courses on their plan of study, including those at the undergraduate level. GRE scores are required for application to the M.S. program.


Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and the Department of Economics offer a Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program. The Program enables completion a B.A. in Economics with one of three minors from Geography and Environmental Studies, and an M.S. in Geography in five years of study. 

Program Requirements

I.     General Requirements

  1. The Program is available UNM Economics students with junior-year academic standing.
  2. Students must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA in their Economics major in order to be accepted into the Program.
  3. Admission to the Program is conditional until the B.A. degree is awarded.
  4. All other requirements for admission to UNM graduate studies must be met in order to qualify for and pursue the M.S. in Geography under the Program.
  5. In order to participate in the Program, students must follow the usual graduate admission process to the M.S. in Geography prior to the beginning of the fourth-year of undergraduate study.

II.     Undergraduate Requirements in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

  1. Students must complete one of the three minors in Geography and Environmental Studies:
    • Minor in Geographic Information Science
      • •   Required (8 credit hours): 281, **381L.
      • •   Upper-Level Electives (12 credit hours): 380L, *481L, 482L, 483L, 484L, 485L, 486L, 487L, 488L.
    • Minor in Geography
      • •   Required (7 credit hours): 101, 102, and 105L.
      • •   Upper-Level Electives (at least 6 credit hours; more than 6 may be applied to General Electives): 380L, 461, 462, 463, 464, 466, 482L, 483L, 484L, 485L, 486L, 487L, 488L.
      • •   General Electives: 9 additional credit hours of Geography course work.
    • Minor in Law, Environment, and Geography
      • •   Required (10 credit hours): 101, 102, 105L, 364.
      • •   Upper-Level Electives (at least 6 credit hours; more than 6 may be applied to General Electives): 461, 462, 463, 464, or 466.
      • •   General Electives (6 credit hours): 195, **360, 365.
  2. After the student is admitted to the Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program, GEOG 501 and 502 must be taken during the student’s fourth undergraduate year for undergraduate credit. In addition, another approved graduate course must be taken during the fourth undergraduate year. These credit hours are transcripted as undergraduate until the undergraduate degree is awarded, and full admission to the graduate portion of the program is granted.

III.     Undergraduate Requirements in the Department of Economics

  1. Completion of all B.A. (major in Economics) requirements, including all General Education, lower and upper-division, and Economics major course work.
  2. Completion of at least 12 credit hours of 300- and 400-level course work that is complimentary to the M.S. in Geography, including:
    • At least two of the following 400-level courses:
      • •   ECON *407
      • •   ECON *408 or ECON *409 
      • •   ECON *442
      • •   ECON *466
    • The remaining 6 credit hours may be completed from the following 300-level courses:
      • •   ECON *341
      • •   ECON 342
      • •   ECON *343

IV.     Graduate Requirements in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

  1. The beginning of undergraduate Year 4 marks the beginning of the time-to-degree for the graduate portion of the program.
  2. After the student’s undergraduate degree is awarded and full admission to the graduate portion of the program is granted, GEOG 501 and 502, the three credit hours of approved graduate course work from the fourth undergraduate year, and another three credit hours of 400-level electives from the minor are then transferred to the graduate-level transcript towards the M.S. To be transferred to the graduate-level transcript, a 400-level elective must be available for graduate credit or offered as a 400/500-level course.
  3. During Year 5 students in program must take 6 credit hours of thesis and 12 additional credit hours.
  4. Additional credit hours must be from the student’s choice of the M.S. concentration in Environmental Studies or the M.S. concentration in Geographic Information.
  5. All other requirements of the M.S. in Geography apply.

V.     General Terms

  1. The undergraduate degree in economics is awarded when all requirements are completed, and is not be contingent upon completion of the full Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program.
  2. Standard Graduate Studies Leave of Absence policy and re-admission procedure apply to students in Program. However, upon re-admission the student is no longer eligible for the Program, and courses taken while an undergraduate are not applicable to a graduate degree.
  3. Admission to the graduate portion of the program is provisional until the undergraduate degree is awarded.
  4. Students who choose not to complete the graduate portion of the program are still awarded the undergraduate degree when all undergraduate requirements are met. Completed graduate level courses may be applied to either an undergraduate major or minor, as per existing policy.
  5. Where the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies chooses not to advance a student to the graduate portion of the program, completed graduate level courses may be applied to either an undergraduate major or minor, as per existing policy.

Graduate Certificate in Law, Environment, and Geography

Certificate Director: John Carr

The graduate certificate in Law, Environment, and Geography seeks to provide students both tools and analytic frames for understanding the spatial and legal dimensions of environmental dynamics and challenges. While the law can be a powerful tool for addressing issues of environmental regulation and resource management, the ways we write and enforce our laws can substantially impact environmental dynamics. The spatial dimensions of these impacts, and the inherent spatiality of legal regulatory concerns are pressing concerns for environmental researchers and policy makers. By offering a curriculum that stresses these interconnections, the graduate certificate in Law, Environment, and Geography empowers students to ask critical questions about how human regulation and environmental dynamics play out in a variety of scales.

Admission Information

Requirements and Qualifications

Students must be either:

  • currently enrolled in one of the graduate programs in the School of Arts and Sciences, with a minimum GPA of 3.0; or
  • a recipient of a professional degree in geography, law, environmental science, or environmental management; or
  • graduate students currently enrolled in other programs. Individuals without a professional degree in geography, law, environmental science, or environmental management may be admitted by the Certificate Director upon demonstration of adequate preparation, skills, and aptitude.

Students who are not currently enrolled as degree-seeking graduate students at the University must apply to and be accepted for admissions by the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

Application Deadlines

Fall: February 1


Application Submission Requirements

These materials should demonstrate (1) serious initial investigation and/or interest in environmental law and/or regulatory issues, (2) strong academic credentials, (3) ability to write cogently, and (4) a clear and compelling set of goals.

  • A Curriculum Vitae.
  • A statement of intent outlining the applicant's goals in pursuing the certificate, proposed program of studies, and schedule for completion.
  • A writing sample of no more than five 8.5"x11" pages.
  • A current academic transcript.
  • Either GRE or LSAT scores from the previous five years.
  • Names and contact information for two people who can speak to the applicant's qualifications for the certificate program.

The Certificate Director may waive any of the above requirements if the application as a whole demonstrates that the student has the skills, background, and ability to successfully complete the graduate certificate. 

Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Law, Environment, and Geography requires 18 credit hours of upper-division course work. Topics must be approved by the Certificate Director in advance. All electives should be chosen in consultation with the Certificate Director. Only 3 hours of course work taken as credit/no credit may be applied towards the certificate.

 Credit
Hours
Required Geography Course 3
GEOG 517 Legal Geography
Elective Geography Courses
9
Select from:
GEOG 514 Natural Resources Management Seminar
GEOG 515 Cultural and Political Ecology
GEOG 516 Seminar: Globalization
GEOG 561 Environmental Management
GEOG 562 Water Resources Management
GEOG 563 Public Lands Management
GEOG 564 Food and Natural Resources
Elective Non-Geography Courses 6
Select from:
AMST 520 T: Environmental and Social Justice
AMST 523 Environmentalism of the Poor
CRP 515 Natural Resources Field Methods
CRP 527 Watershed Management
CRP 532 Foundations of Natural Resources
ECON 542 Topics in Environmental, Resource, and Ecological Economics
ECON 545 Water Resources II - Models
ECON 546 Water Resources I - Contemporary Issues
HIST 633 U.S. Environmental History
HIST 638 American Legal History Before 1877
LAW 547 Water Law
LAW 554 Indian Water Law
LAW 565 Natural Resources
LAW 580 Environmental Law
LAW 593 T: Law
LAW 635 Land Use Regulation
Total 18

Courses

GEOG 101. Home Planet: Land, Water and Life. (3)



GEOG 102. People and Place. (3)



GEOG 105L. Home Planet: Land, Water and Life Laboratory. (1)



GEOG 140. Introduction to World Regions. (3)



GEOG 180. The World of Beer. (3)



GEOG 195. Introduction to Environmental Studies. (3)



GEOG 217. Energy, Environment and Society. (3)



GEOG 251. Meteorology. (3)



GEOG 281. Introduction to Maps and Geospatial Information. (3)



GEOG 350. Natural Environments. (3)



GEOG 352. Global Climate Change. (3)



GEOG **360. Land Use Management. (3)



GEOG 364. Law, Place and Space. (3)



GEOG 365. Nature and Society. (3)



GEOG 380L. Basic Statistics for Geographers. (3)



GEOG **381L. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. (4)



GEOG 427 / 527. Introductory Programming for GIS. (3)



GEOG 428 / 528. Advanced Programming for GIS. (3)



GEOG *445. Geography of New Mexico and the Southwest. (3)



GEOG *450. Environmental Hazards. (3)



GEOG 461 / 561. Environmental Management. (3)



GEOG 462 / 562. Water Resources Management. (3)



GEOG 463 / 563. Public Land Management. (3)



GEOG 464 / 564. Food and Natural Resources. (3)



GEOG 466 / 566. The City. (3)



GEOG 467 / 567. Governing the Global Environment. (3)



GEOG 471. Senior Geography Capstone. (3)



GEOG *481L. Map Design and Geovisualization. (4)



GEOG 483L / 583L. Remote Sensing Fundamentals. (4)



GEOG 484L / 584L. Applications of Remote Sensing. (4)



GEOG 485L / 585L. Internet Mapping. (3)



GEOG 486L / 586L. Applications of GIS. (3)



GEOG 487L / 587L. Spatial Analysis and Modeling. (3)



GEOG 488L / 588L. GIS Concepts and Techniques. (3)



GEOG 491. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



GEOG 493. Internship in Applied Geography. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



GEOG *499. Topics in Geography. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



GEOG 501. Geographic History and Methods. (3)



GEOG 502. Approaches to Geographical Research. (3)



GEOG 514. Natural Resources Management Seminar. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



GEOG 515. Cultural and Political Ecology. (3)



GEOG 516. Seminar: Globalization. (3)



GEOG 517. Legal Geography. (3)



GEOG 522. Introduction to Spatial Data Management. (3)



GEOG 524. Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing. (3)



GEOG 525. Advanced GIScience Seminar. (3)



GEOG 527 / 427. Introductory Programming for GIS. (3)



GEOG 528 / 428. Advanced Programming for GIS. (3)



GEOG 551. Drylands. (3)



GEOG 561 / 461. Environmental Management. (3)



GEOG 562 / 462. Water Resources Management. (3)



GEOG 563 / 463. Public Land Management. (3)



GEOG 564 / 464. Food and Natural Resources. (3)



GEOG 566 / 466. The City. (3)



GEOG 567 / 467. Governing the Global Environment. (3)



GEOG 580L. Spatial Statistics. (3)



GEOG 581L. Introduction to GIS for Graduate Students. (3)



GEOG 583L / 483L. Remote Sensing Fundamentals. (4)



GEOG 584L / 484L. Applications of Remote Sensing. (4)



GEOG 585L / 485L. Internet Mapping. (3)



GEOG 586L / 486L. Applications of GIS. (3)



GEOG 587L / 487L. Spatial Analysis and Modeling. (3)



GEOG 588L / 488L. GIS Concepts and Techniques. (3)



GEOG 591. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



GEOG 593. Internship in Applied Geography. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



GEOG 597. Master's Project. (3)



GEOG 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



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