Doctor of Philosophy in Geography

The PhD in Geography is our department's core doctoral program reflecting the multi-disciplinary research and teaching expertise of our exceptional and award-winning faculty. Graduate students engage in coursework from within and across three areas of focus: Urban and Regional Analysis, Earth and Environmental Systems, and Geographic Information Science. A broad range of elective courses build upon shared training in the theoretical and methodological foundations of Geography, advanced research approaches (quantitative and/or qualitative) and spatial technologies and analysis. Independent research follows yielding a dissertation that advances knowledge in Geography and its related disciplines.
Doctoral students in Geography at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte are members of a student-centered, well-resourced and collegial department comprised of social, physical and applied scientists. As many as half of our PhD students are supported through competitive Graduate Assistantships or Fellowships and our students are frequent recipients of the university's most prestigious scholarships and national awards. Currently, the program's Graduate Assistantships include a 9-month stipend of 21,000 plus tuition and health care support through a Graduate School GASP Award.

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the UNC Charlotte Graduate School, the following are required for study to the Ph.D. in Geography. Under most circumstances, students admitted to the program will have:

Master's degree in Geography or field related to the primary emphases of the program. While students may initially be enrolled in the program while finishing their master's degree, documentation of master's degree conferral from issuing university is required for continuation of Ph.D. in Geography enrollment beyond the first semester.
A master's level GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0.
In exceptional cases, students with only a completed baccalaureate degree may be admitted. However, this is rare and requires approval from the program Graduate Advisory Committee and the Graduate Program Director following written recommendation from faculty member who agrees to serve as the prospective student's primary doctoral advisor, and who outlines why waiving the master's degree requirement is justified. To be considered for admission with only a completed baccalaureate degree, a student must have an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.6, demonstrated research competency, and meet or exceed all other admission requirements. Students without a master's degree or prior master's level coursework should be prepared to complete additional coursework to ensure they have met prerequisites and are ready to engage in Ph.D. level study.
Transcripts of all previous college coursework. Transcripts are evaluated on the basis the type and range of geographical, spatial, statistical, and technical courses attempted as well as the strength of performance in these areas, and on the depth and suitability of the applicant's preparation for doctoral level coursework and research in the field of geography.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with minimum scores of 150 on both the verbal and quantitative sections and a 3.5 or above on the analytical portions. Applicants must have taken the GRE, no other test is accepted in its place.
For applicants whose native language is not English, an IELTS overall score of at least 6.5 or a TOEFL exam score of at least 84 on the Internet-based test. The program expects a minimum score in the low to mid 20s on each of the components of the TOEFL. In addition, international students who are supported through a teaching assistantship (TA) will be required to undergo evaluation by the English Language Training Institute (ELTI) at UNC Charlotte prior to beginning their assistantship.
Proficiency in quantitative methods at a minimum of the linear regression level is expected. If absent, other coursework, as determined by the program's Graduate Advisory Committee, may be required depending on the background of the student.
GIS proficiency at a minimum of the applications level is expected. If absent, other coursework, as determined by the program's Graduate Advisory Committee, may be required depending on the background of the student.
Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which must come from faculty in the student's previous academic programs.
A personal statement which directly addresses why the student wishes to do graduate work in Geography and why they wish to participate in the Ph.D. in Geography program at UNC Charlotte. The statement should address how the program at UNC Charlotte fits career and/or professional goals and how the applicant would benefit from and contribute to the Ph.D. in Geography at UNC Charlotte. This statement is very important in determining the applicant's commitment to graduate education and to a professional career in geography or a related field.