MA Program FAQs

Earning a graduate degree has many benefits. Here are seven potential reasons to earn a Master of Arts in Applied Geography at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs:

1. Personal growth
2. Greater employment opportunities
3. Greater career advancement
4. Possible financial rewards
5. Sense of accomplishment
6. Greater recognition and credibility
7. Preparation for PhD program

Explore the topics that UCCS Geography faculty address in their research. Identify a potential advisor and contact them with questions. Explore the American Association of Geographers reference guide to geography graduate programs in the Americas.

Students planning to do graduate work in the UCCS Applied Geography Master’s Program must choose an area of specialization.

You indicate your preferred specialization on your graduate school application under the “Area of Specialization” statement, and the decision about whether to accept you to a program is typically made by faculty members in that particular area. The assignment of your initial advisor will also be based on your statement.

The recommended format for the “Area of Specialization” statement is to:

1. Begin with a paragraph stating your broad areas of interest and then identifying potential issues and research focus
2. Include a second paragraph that identifies specific graduate faculty and coursework at UCCS that will help you gain expertise in a specific specialization
3. Conclude with a final paragraph describing how a specific focus will help you achieve future career goals.

The Master of Arts in Applied Geography at the UCCS has one application deadline: The deadline for receipt of all materials for Fall admittance is February 1. However, exceptions may be made for Spring admittance (discuss with Graduate Director).

Benefits of a Fall term start include more options for funding and the sequence of two required courses - we suggest taking GES 5770: History and Nature of Geography in the Fall and GES 5010: Research Seminar in Spring.

Please note that all applications are now handled electronically, and the application can be accessed on the UCCS Graduate School website.

Many MA applicants wonder whether they can enroll in classes as unclassified students before being accepted into the MA program. This is an individual choice and comes with the understanding that admittance to the program is not guaranteed and that tuition dollars are not reimbursed.

Generally, we encourage students to follow the stated program requirements, which are available on the website.

For those students applying to go to grad school while remaining in full-time employment, we must defer to you to make that decision.

Many of our classes are only offered during daytime hours and are often offered only one day a week. Thus, a significant level of flexibility is required since students are highly discouraged from missing any classes.

Students must establish residency to ensure proper tuition fees are charged. Information regarding tuition classification and residency requirements can be found on the UCCS Registrar's website.

The Financial Aid Office will assist with student loans, work-study qualifications, and potential student grant money. Information regarding financial aid can be found on the UCCS Financial Aid website.

Students may qualify for a variety of fellowships, scholarships, and grants from the Graduate School. Information regarding funding from the Graduate School can be found on the UCCS Graduate School website.

Students may qualify for departmental funding on a competitive basis. Below are current options for funding in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies:

• Teaching Assistantship: One TA is funded each year on a competitive basis. A call for nominations from faculty is sent out in mid-February for both new and returning students.
• Research Assistantship: A limited number of GES students receive funding from faculty members through research grants in which they are research assistants (RA). This source of income is variable, depending on grants that individual faculty members have at any given time. Please contact whomever you think might be your advisor for information on possible research funding opportunities. Recognize that the availability of these positions varies greatly and is not guaranteed.
• “Women in Geography” graduate scholarships: These scholarships are awarded twice a year on a competitive basis. A call for applications will be sent out to both new and returning students.
• Western State Resident Tuition Classification Program in Residents from AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, and WY are eligible to pay in-state tuition rates for the MA in Applied Geography Program. The benefit is automatically applied to qualified students' tuition bills based on their legal residency. To learn more, please visit the UCCS Graduate School website.

There are many avenues to pursue to supplement or cover educational expenses. Numerous geography-related firms in Colorado Springs hire our students. Most will be flexible with work and school schedules, some offer tuition reimbursement, and some have internship programs with our department. Additionally, AmeriCorps provides educational stipends to students.

Visit the UCCS Student Employment website to learn more.

Please contact the Program Director or your Faculty Advisor to discuss all available options.