Geography and the Environment Admission
Thank you for your interest in the Geography and the Environment Department at Syracuse University. The department is home to undergraduate and graduate programs, including an undergraduate major and minors, a master’s program (M.A.), doctoral program (Ph.D.) and a certificate of advanced study.
Undergraduate applicants interested in our B.A. in geography or our B.A./B.S. dual degree program in environment, sustainability and policy apply to the Maxwell School and the College of Arts and Sciences and benefit from the resources of both institutions—integrated academic and career advising, undergraduate research support, and the opportunity to add a minor or a second major. The department also participates in Maxwell’s accelerated bachelor's to master's options: a B.A./M.P.A. (master of public administration) or B.A./M.A. in international relations.
Graduate Application Deadline: January 1
All required application materials for the M.A. and the Ph.D. programs must be submitted by this date to ensure full consideration for admission and financial aid. Our admission cycle is for fall entrance only; we do not accept entry into the program in January.
Beginning with students matriculating in fall 2026, the department is only able to offer funding to Ph.D. students. This funding is typically awarded in the form of fellowships, scholarships or graduate assistantships.
Graduate Application Materials
- Online application and $75 application fee**
- Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (admitted students must have official transcripts submitted from their degree-granting institution(s))
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Résumé or CV
- Personal statement: In approximately 1,000 words, please describe your general academic plans, including your interests in geography, why you are applying to Syracuse University and your specific interest areas. Specific topics within these areas are especially helpful. Ph.D. applicants should identify one or more potential dissertation field areas of interest, and identify certain faculty members with whom they wish to work.
- English proficiency exam scores (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo are accepted) are required for applicants whose first language is not English.
NOTE: To apply to the Ph.D. program you must have a master’s degree completed by the time of matriculation.
**Students facing financial hardship can request an application fee waiver.
Admitted Graduate Students
Admission decisions and next steps information will be communicated via email to the address you provide in your online application. Additional information can be found on the graduate admission website.
Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students
Competitive funding opportunities for graduate students are available through Syracuse University and the academic departments within the Maxwell School. For more information, students are encouraged to contact the department’s director of graduate studies for further information.
Community Geography Graduate Assistantship
Offered in association with Syracuse Community Geography, funding is available for up to three years for students with GIS skills and an interest in using GIS and other research methods to investigate community concerns.
Preference will be given to students with experience and interest in community geography, participatory GIS and participatory research, and community organizing.
Graduate Assistantships
Ph.D. students can work with faculty as instructors and graders for undergraduate courses. Departmental funding is guaranteed for five years for Ph.D. students, usually through a combination of assistantships and fellowships.
University Fellowship
Awarded on the basis of the applicant’s overall merit, the fellowship covers doctoral students’ first year of study. Funding for following years is provided through teaching assistantships.
Watson Assistantship
This provides a one-year stipend and tuition credits for a student from Latin America or the Caribbean, students conducting Ph.D. research in Latin America or the Caribbean, or students conducting international research. Depending on the department’s teaching needs, the Watson Assistantship may require students to work for one semester as a teaching assistant. The department can typically provide one Watson Assistantship per year.
Summer Research Funding
With the support of the Maxwell School, the department awards summer research funding to defray the costs of activities that advance the student’s research agenda or professional development. These awards are offered on a competitive basis and include the Maxwell Deans Summer Research Award and several departmental fellowships.
2026 Forever Orange Scholarship Program
We are happy to continue our support of the Forever Orange program! Syracuse University Class of 2026 graduating seniors are eligible to apply for our master’s program and, if admitted, will receive a guaranteed 50% tuition scholarship! Please visit the Graduate School website for additional details on eligibility, participating programs and application instructions.
Contact
Request information about our graduate programs.
Contact the Director of Graduate Studies.
Geography and the Environment Department
144 Eggers Hall
Syracuse, N.Y. 13244-1020
Phone: +1.315.443.2605