Options Available
Geography Major (thesis option, project option)
Geography Major, Geographic Information Science concentration (thesis option, project option)
Geography Major, sustainability concentration (thesis option, project option)
Campus Code
Knoxville Campus
Admissions Standards/Procedures
- Although new graduate students may begin during any term, they are strongly recommended to apply for the Fall semester.
- The application deadline for Fall term is February 1.
- However, to be assured consideration for first-round departmental funding offers for Fall semester, all application materials for domestic and international applicants must be received by December 15.
- A 3.00 (4.00 scale) or higher undergraduate grade point average is normally required for admission to a graduate degree program.
- Official transcripts of all previous college work and a minimum of three letters of recommendation are required.
- No single criterion will dominate but the aggregate should provide strong evidence of ability and potential.
- International students without degrees from an accredited U.S. institution must submit TOEFL scores (minimum of 550 PBT or 95 iBT required for admission) or IELTS (minimum of 7.0 required for admission).
- Admission to the geography graduate program is subject to the availability of space and faculty advisors.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- At least two-thirds of the total credit hours in the degree program must be at or above the 500-level
- 3 credit hours at the 600-level
- Option Requirements:
Additional Course Requirements
Non-Course Requirements
- Thesis Option: Defense of the thesis research
- Project Option: Defense of project (There will be an oral examination over a research paper written by the student during the program of study. The project takes place outside of the required courses. A pass/fail form will be submitted).
- GPA: Maintain 3.20 GPA after second semester and each semester thereafter.
Geographic Information Science Concentration
Concentration Requirements
Select two courses:
Non-Course Requirements
- Thesis Option: Defense of the thesis research
- Project Option: Defense of a geographic information science project (There will be an oral examination over a research paper written by the student during the program of study. The project takes place outside of the required courses. A pass/fail form will be submitted).
- GPA: Maintain 3.20 GPA after second semester and each semester thereafter.
Sustainability Concentration
Concentration Requirements
Select One Course from each subsection:
Non-Course Requirements
- Thesis Option: Defense of the thesis research
- Project Option: Defense of a sustainability project (There will be an oral examination over a research paper written by the student during the program of study. The project takes place outside of the required courses. A pass/fail form will be submitted).
- GPA: Maintain a 3.20 GPA after second semester and each semester thereafter.
Five-Year BA/MS Program – Geography Major, MS
The Department of Geography and Sustainability at the University of Tennessee offers a Five-Year BA-MS program for highly motivated and academically outstanding students who are passionate about understanding and analyzing human societies. This program offers students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BA) degree and a Master of Science (MS) degree in Geography within a five-year timeframe. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and advanced research experience required for a successful career in geographic research and services in a wide array of governmental and private sectors.
The core component of the program is that qualified students can apply up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This not only accelerates their academic journey but also enhances their research and analytical capabilities.
Program Components
Eligibility and Admission
Students must have a declared major in one of the following concentrations:
- Geography Major, BA – Climate and Climate Change Concentration
- Geography Major, BA – Honors Climate and Climate Change Concentration
- Geography Major, BA – Geospatial Science and Technology Concentration
- Geography Major, BA – Honors Geospatial Science and Technology Concentration
- Geography Major, BA – Landscapes and Environment Concentration
- Geography Major, BA – Honors Landscapes and Environment Concentration
- Geography Major, BA – Space, Society, and Culture Concentration
- Geography Major, BA – Honors Space, Society, and Culture Concentration
- Geography Major, BA – Urban Studies Concentration
- Geography Major, BA – Honors Urban Studies Concentration
Students must have an overall GPA of 3.4 in required coursework for admission to the program.
Conditional admission may be granted after the completion of 60 hours of coursework fulfilling requirements for the BA in Geography.
Full admission to the program may be granted after the completion of 90 hours of required coursework for the BA in Geography with a minimum GPA of 3.4.
Admission Process
The admission process begins with application to the Undergraduate Program Director.
The admission decision will be based on coursework, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview with members of the Undergraduate and Graduate Committees in the Department of Geography and Sustainability to determine the level of maturity and academic achievement.
Upon approval from the Undergraduate Program Director, students can submit an official application to the Graduate School.
Coursework
Students, once conditionally admitted to the program, may take up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate-level Geography and Sustainability courses that count towards both their BA and MS degrees.
All courses taken for graduate credit must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.
Students must also request permission from the Graduate School to take approved courses for graduate credit and follow the regular admission process for the Geography and Sustainability graduate program.
Faculty Mentorship
Students are required to obtain a commitment from a faculty member in the Geography and Sustainability Department to serve as their major professor for the MA portion of the program. The major professor will act as a mentor and advisor.
Academic Advising
Students in the Five-Year BA-MS program will receive specialized academic advising to ensure a smooth transition between their undergraduate and graduate studies.
Five-Year BS/MS Program – Geography Major, MS, Geographic Information Science Concentration
The Department of Geography and Sustainability at the University of Tennessee offers a Five-Year BS-MS program for highly motivated and academically outstanding students who are passionate about understanding and analyzing human societies. This program offers students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree and a Master of Science (MS) degree in Geography within a five-year timeframe. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and advanced research experience required for a successful career in geographic information science research and services in a wide array of governmental and private sectors.
The core component of the program is that qualified students can apply up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This not only accelerates their academic journey but also enhances their research and analytical capabilities.
Program Components
Eligibility and Admission
Students must have a declared major in Geographic Information Science and Technology.
Students must have an overall GPA of 3.4 in required coursework for admission to the program.
Conditional admission may be granted after the completion of 60 hours of coursework fulfilling requirements for the BS in Geographic Information Science and Technology.
Full admission to the program may be granted after the completion of 90 hours of required coursework for the BS in Geographic Information Science and Technology with a minimum GPA of 3.4.
Admission Process
The admission process begins with application to the Undergraduate Program Director.
The admission decision will be based on coursework, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview with members of the Undergraduate and Graduate Committees in the Department of Geography and Sustainability to determine the level of maturity and academic achievement.
Upon approval from the Undergraduate Program Director, students can submit an official application to the Graduate School.
Coursework
Students, once conditionally admitted to the program, may take up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate-level Geography & Sustainability courses that count towards both their BS and MS degrees.
All courses taken for graduate credit must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.
Students must also request permission from the Graduate School to take approved courses for graduate credit and follow the regular admission process for the Geography and Sustainability graduate program.
Faculty Mentorship
Students are required to obtain a commitment from a faculty member in the Geography and Sustainability Department to serve as their major professor for the MA portion of the program. The major professor will act as a mentor and advisor.
Academic Advising
Students in the Five-Year BS-MS program will receive specialized academic advising to ensure a smooth transition between their undergraduate and graduate studies.
Five-Year BA/MS Program – Geography Major, MS, Sustainability Concentration
The Department of Geography and Sustainability at the University of Tennessee offers a Five-Year BA-MS program for highly motivated and academically outstanding students who are passionate about understanding and analyzing human societies. This program offers students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BA) degree and a Master of Science (MS) degree in Geography within a five-year timeframe. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and advanced research experience required for a successful career in sustainability research and services in a wide array of governmental and private sectors.
The core component of the program is that qualified students can apply up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This not only accelerates their academic journey but also enhances their research and analytical capabilities.
Program Components
Eligibility and Admission
Students must have a declared major in Sustainability.
Students must have an overall GPA of 3.4 in required coursework for admission to the program.
Conditional admission may be granted after the completion of 60 hours of coursework fulfilling requirements for the BA in Sustainability.
Full admission to the program may be granted after the completion of 90 hours of required coursework for the BA in Sustainability with a minimum GPA of 3.4.
Admission Process
The admission process begins with application to the Undergraduate Program Director.
The admission decision will be based on coursework, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview with members of the Undergraduate and Graduate Committees in the Department of Geography and Sustainability to determine the level of maturity and academic achievement.
Upon approval from the Undergraduate Program Director, students can submit an official application to the Graduate School.
Coursework
Students, once conditionally admitted to the program, may take up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate-level Geography and Sustainability courses that count towards both their BA and MS degrees.
All courses taken for graduate credit must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.
Students must also request permission from the Graduate School to take approved courses for graduate credit and follow the regular admission process for the Geography and Sustainability graduate program.
Faculty Mentorship
Students are required to obtain a commitment from a faculty member in the Geography and Sustainability Department to serve as their major professor for the MA portion of the program. The major professor will act as a mentor and advisor.
Academic Advising
Students in the Five-Year BA-MS program will receive specialized academic advising to ensure a smooth transition between their undergraduate and graduate studies.
