Graduate Programs

Deepen your expertise. Conduct meaningful research. Prepare to solve complex earth and environmental challenges.

Graduate study in the School of Earth and Environment connects advanced coursework with faculty-guided research. Explore earth systems, environmental change, people and places, natural resources, and geospatial technologies while building the specialized knowledge and research skills needed for professional careers, doctoral study or academic research.

Find the program that fits your goals

• Choose the Geology M.S. if you want advanced training and research experience focused on earth materials, processes, resources, water, climate, or geologic hazards.
• Choose the Geography M.S. if you want to investigate geographic questions involving environments, landscapes, populations, communities, sustainability, or geospatial analysis.
• Choose the Geography Ph.D. if you are ready to conduct original, independent research and contribute new knowledge in a geographic area of specialization.
• Choose the Graduate Certificate in GIScience if you want to add advanced GIS, spatial analysis, remote sensing and related geospatial skills to your current degree or professional expertise.
• Choose the Graduate Certificate in Mineral Exploration for a Sustainable Future if you want focused training in mineral exploration and the geoscience tools used to locate and evaluate critical resources.

Please contact Geology Graduate Program Director Dr. Joel Spencer or Geography Graduate Program Director Dr. Audrey Joslin (Geography) if you have questions about the application process, funding opportunities, or degree requirements.

Graduate Degrees

Geology, M.S.

Advance your understanding of a specific area of geology through graduate coursework and faculty-guided research. The program is designed to strengthen your scientific research skills and prepare you for professional geoscience careers or further graduate study.

Program options: Most students complete the 30-credit-hour thesis option, which includes an original research project and written thesis. A report option may be available for some students with specific professional circumstances.

Explore research topics such as:

• Energy and mineral resources, including responsible resource development and mineral exploration.
• Earth surface processes, water and soil resources, and environmental change.
• Climate, geological carbon storage and other earth system questions.
• Deep earth processes, earthquakes, volcanoes, geophysics, petrology and structural geology.

Build skills in: Research design, field and laboratory methods, scientific instrumentation, modeling, data analysis, technical writing and communicating research results.

Possible paths: Environmental and geotechnical consulting, energy and mineral resources, government and public agencies, research organizations, or doctoral study.

Geography, M.S.

Develop advanced geographic knowledge and learn to identify, investigate and communicate meaningful research questions. The M.S. offers flexibility to shape your coursework and research around your interests and career goals while working closely with a faculty advisor.

Program options: Students may pursue a thesis pathway or a report-based pathway. A specialized report option is also available for qualified students preparing for or continuing careers in teaching.

Explore research areas such as:

• Environmental assessment and human-environment interactions.
• Landscape dynamics, physical geography and earth surface processes.
• Population, culture and the ways people shape places.
• Rural places, sustainability and environmental governance.
• GIScience, remote sensing, spatial analysis and geospatial modeling.

Build skills in: research methods, spatial thinking, quantitative and qualitative analysis, GIS and remote sensing, fieldwork, data interpretation and professional communication.

Possible paths: government and public agencies, environmental and geospatial consulting, planning and policy, GIS and data analysis, nonprofit or private-sector research, or doctoral study.

Geography, Ph.D.

Prepare to become an independent researcher and contribute original scholarship to the field of geography. Doctoral students build advanced expertise in a chosen specialization, complete focused coursework and research seminars, and develop a dissertation that makes a new scholarly contribution.

Customize your research: Work with your faculty advisor and supervisory committee to define a program of study that supports your research interests and long-term goals.

Develop expertise in: research theory and methods, advanced geographic scholarship, interdisciplinary inquiry, professional presentation, teaching and independent research.

Prepare for: faculty and research careers in higher education, advanced research positions, government, policy, environmental organizations, geospatial industries and other leadership roles that require deep subject expertise.

Graduate certificates are also available.

Research, Mentorship, and Hands-On Learning

Graduate education is built around close work with faculty mentors and active research. Depending on your program and project, you may:

• Conduct field research in Kansas, across the United States or internationally.
• Use laboratories, scientific instruments and computational tools to collect and analyze data.
• Work with GIS, remote sensing, spatial statistics, modeling or other geospatial technologies.
• Collaborate on interdisciplinary research with faculty across K-State and partner institutions.
• Present your work at professional meetings and pursue research grants or travel funding.
• Build teaching experience through graduate teaching opportunities.

Funding and Assistantships

Graduate teaching and research assistantships may be available in Geology and Geography. Awards are competitive and may include a stipend and tuition support, depending on the appointment and available funding.

Ask about funding when you contact potential faculty advisors or the graduate program.

Before You Apply

Before applying, take time to find the right program and faculty fit.

• Review faculty research interests and identify potential advisors.
• Review program requirements and current K-State Graduate School admission requirements.
• Ask about research opportunities, assistantships and program fit.
• Submit your application through the K-State Graduate School.

Neither the Geology nor Geography graduate programs currently requires GRE scores.

Ready to take the next step?

Connect with a graduate program to discuss your interests, potential faculty advisors, research opportunities and funding.