Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Jason Blackburn graduatecoordinator@geog.ufl.edu (352) 294-7501
The Department of Geography offers a breadth of degree options and coursework to prepare students for diverse careers that utilize geospatial sciences. Work and learn alongside faculty and mentors who conduct exciting, world-renowned research in the department’s seven focus areas: Earth System Science; Medical Geography in Global Health; Places, Networks, and Flows; Geopolitics & The Global Economy; Catastrophes, Conservation, and Conflict; Sustainability & Global Environmental Change; GeoSpatial Analysis and Techniques. The research conducted by our graduate students is broad and interdisciplinary, touching on topics around the globe including land cover and climate change, deforestation and land conflicts, catastrophic weather events, river restoration, healthcare accessibility, and emerging infectious diseases.
The Department of Geography offers a Master of Arts (MA) and a Master of Science (MS), as well as a Doctoral (PhD) program of study. These comprise coursework and development of a research thesis or dissertation. Graduate students work with their faculty advisor to develop their research interests within one of our Focus Areas. A detailed description of the graduate program and the course of study can be found in the Graduate Handbook below.
Download Geography’s Graduate Student Handbook (Fall 2024)
The academic year consists of two semesters and two summer sessions. The Fall semester begins at the University of Florida in August; we do not accept students to begin in the Spring semester that begins in January. Applicants for the MA/MS or PhD degrees will be considered regardless of their previous specialization in the physical and social sciences and humanities. Deficiencies in undergraduate coursework in geography may be corrected concurrently with registration in appropriate graduate level courses. Please see our Graduate Admissions Page for admission requirements, a list of application materials, our admissions timeline, and tips for success in the admissions process.
The Department of Geography and the University of Florida offer various types of financial support for qualified graduate students. Teaching assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis for the nine month academic year and come with waivers for tuition plus health insurance. Research assistantships for the nine month academic year and the summer semesters are sometimes available from faculty members seeking assistance on their personal research projects. Research assistantship stipends are determined by the individual faculty member, so please contact faculty directly if you would like to be considered for this funding. Additionally, the UF graduate school keeps a list of funding opportunities on the UF Graduate School’s Financial Aid Bulletin Board. Applications for teaching and research assistantships for the Fall Semester should be submitted no later than January 31.