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Home > Graduate : PhD Degree

PhD Degree

At Minnesota, the Geography PhD is a highly individualized degree. Students work closely with their chosen advisors to design and complete their programs.

PhD students in our Department pursue programs in physical geography, human geography, and cartography and geographic information science.

The Doctor of Philosphy Degree is "awarded chiefly in recognition of high attainment and ability in a special subject field," as stated in the Graduate School Catalog, the source for detailed information about the PhD requirements and procedures at the University of Minnesota.

High attainment and ability are demonstrated "by passing the required examinations covering both a candidate's general and spcial subject fields, and by preparing and successfully defending a thesis based on original research that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the student's field."

Requirements for the geography PhD

The requirements set by the Geography faculty and the Graduate School permit doctoral students to tailor a program to their needs and interests.

The PhD program involves completing graduate courses and seminars, preparation of three comprehensive papers, passing a preliminary examination for degree candidacy, researching and writing a dissertation, and successfully defending the dissertation.

One year of full-time graduate seminars and courses beyond the MA is common for the PhD program. PhD candidates also must take a minimum of 24 thesis credits while preparing the dissertation.

This page summarizes the degree requirements for the PhD in geography. More detail about the PhD degree requirements and procedures is available in the Graduate School Catalog. A separate page provides PhD application and admission information.

PhD students must:

Complete Geog 8405, Geog 8001 and Geog 8002, preferably within the first year.

Complete three additional courses at the Geog 81xx and/or Geog 82xx level, with at least one of the three courses at the Geog 82xx level. The choice of courses should be made in consultation with the student's adviser. Geog 8970 and Geog 8980 courses may be used for Geog 81xx or Geog 82xx level coursework with permission of the adviser.

Complete twelve or more credits of graduate courses or seminars (5xxx-8xxx level) outside the Geography Department. Students elect either of two options:

1. A minor: all credits are taken in one field and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in that field. /OR/
2. A supporting program: requires credits from at least two other fields

Receive certification of expertise in the language(s) or techniques(s) or both necessary for the proposed program. The advising committee sets the requirements, and certifies that they are met before the final PhD examination is scheduled.

Complete three comprehensive papers and pass the preliminary oral examination. These usually focus on areas closest to a student's current research interests. They also may cover broader knowledge of the discipline and of minor or supporting fields, as the Examining Committee chooses.

Register for 24 thesis credits after passing the preliminary oral examination.

Prepare a PhD dissertation.

Pass the final oral examination (dissertation defense).