Geographic Education (Ph.D.)
Ph.D. geographic education
46 MINIMUM CREDIT HOURS
100% Online Program
Overview
The Ph.D. in Geographic Education is designed to provide depth and breadth of knowledge in the field’s theoretical foundations and research methods. Graduate courses taught by nationally and internationally recognized faculty explore the foundational and advanced theories of geography and geographic education.
Working closely with dedicated faculty, students embark on their own academic journey through research projects, academic publications, and department-sponsored conference participation. The department also hosts or plays key roles in several international, national, and university-wide centers.
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Program Mission
The mission of the Department of Geography is to offer students educational experiences of the highest quality and to conduct meaningful and vital research. The department is committed to outstanding teaching and scholarly activities within the framework of academic freedom and the diversity of ideas and is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and to public service. The department stresses the theoretical and applied realms of geography in all of its curricula, leads the discipline with innovative applied work, and actively seeks to recruit top students nationally and internationally.
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Career Options
Geographic education doctoral students actively participate in professional conferences, meetings, and workshops and publish in top-tier journals in the field. Geographic education Ph.D. alumni hold positions in universities and community colleges, government agencies, and the private sector. Graduates are well qualified to become educational research associates and scientists, school district administrators, and social studies coordinators and consultants.
Advanced Research
Thirty-four full-time faculty members conduct research in physical, human, and environmental geography, geographic education, and geographic information sciences, and publish in top-tier journals, including the Annals of the American Association of Geographers, The Professional Geographer, the Journal of Geography, and the Journal of Geography in Higher Education. Faculty research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, among other funding agencies.
Career Outlook Statistics
Geographers
- 2024 Median Pay: $97,200 per year/ $46.73 per hour
- Work Experience in Related Occupation: None
- Number of Jobs, 2023: 1,600
- Job Outlook, 2023-2033: Projected to grow 3%
Postsecondary Teachers
- 2024 Median Pay: $83,980 per year
- Work Experience in Related Occupation: see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics webpage
- Number of Jobs, 2023: 1,397,600
- Job Outlook, 2023-2033: Projected to grow 8% (faster than average)
Further Career Outlook Resources
For more information on the career outlook for graduates with a Ph.D. in Geographic Education, visit the Careers in Geography page on the American Association of Geographers (AAG) website.
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