Programs

The Department of Geography and Urban Studies at Temple University offers two different, but related, fields of graduate study: the Master of Arts degree in Geography and in Urban Studies. Students choose one of these two specialties when applying for admission to the Department. The Geography M.A. program offers students an opportunity to combine an understanding of topical areas with the development of analytical skills. Development of skills is combined with a focus on problems in the areas of environmental systems, water resources, international development, land use planning, the urban economy, and social and class equity. Students can specialize in the development of technical skills in the areas of GIS and cartography, and information management and technology.

The Urban Studies program emphasizes a focus on urban problems and public policy in U.S. cities. The program covers issues in the areas of housing, social and economic justice, urban problems, environmental issues, neighborhood quality, urban economic development, and the provision of public services. Students have the opportunity to link their study to an understanding of these issues as they relate to Philadelphia as well as to other urban settings.

Faculty drawn from Anthropology, Criminal Justice, History, Political Science, Sociology, and other departments complement the Department's faculty. Graduates from the Department find employment in public sector agencies that deal with environmental, planning, land use, and urban problems. They also work for quasi-public social service institutions that address various needs of urban residents, as well as for private sector firms whose business requires an understanding of urban and spatial dynamics.

Meet a few alums and see what they're doing.

Advising

Graduate students should meet with the department's graduate advisor prior to the start of their first semester. The advisor will help the student become familiar with the faculty and develop a preliminary academic plan. At the end of the first year, each student will be encouraged to name his or her own advisor and to meet with this advisor during subsequent registration periods. For students writing a thesis, this advisor would normally be the thesis advisor as well.

Currently, the department's Graduate Student Advisor is Jerry Stahler, who can be contacted at jstahler@temple.edu.