Geography
Master of Science
Form the big picture
As the importance of geographic information science and spatial analysis continues to grow, so does the need for professionals with advanced research skills and knowledge of the analytical techniques and technologies used in the field.
As a graduate student in this program, you will learn how to use GIS and other geospatial information technologies and analytical tools to solve complex global problems. You will also study areas like remote sensing, statistical and mathematical modeling, geographic-computational models, network and spatial analysis, and quantifying and modeling.
Students in this program work alongside faculty on leading research to explore geography as it relates to climate change and the global environmental system, social and political systems, physical and social changes in our planet and much more.
Overview
Related Topics
Advanced skills in geography
Application information
Applicants for the M.S. in geography program must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:
- Education Level: Bachelor's
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
- Number of references: Three
- Other requirements: No
Program availability
- Concentration: Thesis and non-thesis
- Semester intake: Fall, Spring
- Eligible for Expedited Admission for U of I undergraduates
- Eligible for international admission
- Deadlines: General application deadlines
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Contact information
Earth and Spatial Sciences contact: Thomas Williams; tomw@uidaho.edu
Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001
Find Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences faculty advisor contacts.
Costs, funding and research
To learn about various ways to fund your graduate degree, check out Graduate Funding.
For detailed information about the cost of attendance, visit Financial Aid.
Beginning Fall 2026, M.S. students appointed as Teaching Assistants will receive an annual support package that includes:
- Base stipend: $18,985.20 for the 9-month academic year
- In-state tuition: fully covered by the program
- Out-of-state tuition: waived for non-resident students
- Health insurance: fully covered
- Summer support: additional scholarship up to $8,000, depending on funding availability
Real-world experience
Many of your courses will include a lab, and you’ll also have opportunities to contribute to faculty research projects, including:
- Polar meteorology and remote sensing in arctic environments
- Regional climate change in the western United States
- Forest disturbances and environmental change
- Human adaptation to climate change in high latitudes
- Natural resource applications of GIS in quantifying carbon fluxes
Degree fit
This degree could be a good fit if you:
- Have experience using geospatial information technologies
- Want to pursue a management-level policy, planning or research-oriented position in geographic information science
- Want to lead research in the field
- Are interested in geography and related disciplines like natural resource management, geology, engineering, planning and business marketing
Related clubs and organizations
- Geo Club
- Super Group
- Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,426 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
$85,793 - Geographers
$99,717 - Postsecondary Geography Teachers • Postsecondary Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Science Teachers
$82,694 - Surveyors
$83,722 - Surveying and Mapping Technicians
$54,295
* Career data provided by Lightcast.