Graduate Study Opportunities

We invite highly motivated Master’s and Doctoral degree-seeking applicants for the 2024-2025 academic year. Texas State University is an emerging research institution, and our department possesses a vibrant and diverse faculty. The specialties of our 40 full-time faculty members encompass a wide variety of research areas. Information about faculty expertise can be found on our graduate recruiting page.  In addition to several department level research centers, the department has close collaborative relationships with the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, the National Center for Research in Geography Education, and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, among others. Faculty’s research activities have been funded by various agencies including NASA, NSF, EPA and different foundations. We offer a variety of degrees through our graduate programs in geography, including Master of Science (M.S.) degree, Master of Applied Geography (M.A.G.) degree (with concentrations in Natural Resources and Environment Studies, Geographic Education, Geography Information Science, and Geography), Ph.D. in Geography, Ph.D. in Geographic Education, and Ph.D. in Geographic Information Science.

Funding opportunities exist for Graduate Assistantships at the Doctoral ($27,820 over 9 months, renewable up to a maximum of 4 years) and Master's ($14,250 over 9 months, renewable up to a maximum of 2 years) levels. These assistantships come with a waiver of the out-of-state portion of tuition for Fall and Spring semesters. Graduate Assistants receive access to university student health benefits. In addition, the Department provides conference travel funding for graduate students to present research (up to 2 conferences per year). The Department offers merit-based scholarships each year through an open-call process to all students.  Additional funding from the Graduate College, such as doctoral and master's research fellowships and merit scholarships (which waive a significant portion of tuition), are available on a competitive basis.

Applications for full funding considerations to start in Fall 2024 semester are due by January 15, 2024 for Ph.D. Programs and February 1, 2024 for Master’s Programs. Information about our Department can be found on our website.  Detailed information about the graduate programs in Geography can be found on the graduate college course catalog. More details regarding the application process may be found on the important graduate information page. Questions regarding the application and its process may be directed to the graduate mailbox (geograduate@txstate.edu).

Location: Texas State University is located in San Marcos at the edge of the beautiful Texas Hill Country, 30 miles south of Austin and 45 miles north of San Antonio.  San Marcos is a college town with many natural and cultural amenities.