Master of Arts in Geography and Urban Studies

Graduate students in geography and urban studies research environmental issues, gender and race, geographic methods, international development, social and spatial theory, and urban development. The MA degree is designed to prepare students for further graduate study as well as for professional positions related to urban and economic development, environmental sustainability and social justice. MA students have the option to pursue a graduate certificate in GIS with no additional coursework.

Develop research techniques and analytical skills to understand and address complex social issues specific to urban areas with the Master of Arts in Geography and Urban Studies in Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts.

Rapid urbanization and environmental problems are defining the 21st century. Students analyze critical problems in communities around the world through a theoretically informed and data-driven, integrative curriculum with multiple interdisciplinary perspectives.

In the 36-credit Geography and Urban Studies MA, you will research areas such as

environmental issues,

gender and race,

geographic methods, including geographic information science, remote sensing, and qualitative research,

international development,

social and spatial theory, and

urban development.

All courses take place at Temple’s Main Campus in Philadelphia, allowing you to study at a university that is deeply ingrained in neighboring urban communities.

Temple’s Geography and Urban Studies Department is an intimate program in which professors lead small classes and guide students throughout their time in the program. The interdisciplinary expertise of the faculty includes black geographies, critical feminist geography, food systems, geographic information science, health geography, political ecology, sustainability science, urban studies and urban analytics. Learn more about Geography and Urban Studies MA faculty.

Graduates are prepared to pursue doctoral studies, careers in academia, or positions in community organizing and social change efforts, environmental sustainability, urban and economic development, and social justice.

Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts prepares students to become innovators in all fields, across all industries. We are civic-minded, globally conscious creative thinkers, doers and risk-takers. We are home to more than 5,500 students across 28 departments and programs that offer a focused liberal arts college experience within a premier urban, research university.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

The College of Liberal Arts exemplifies Temple University’s core values of diversity and inclusion: creating and sustaining a teaching, learning and research community that not only includes but welcomes and values differences based on religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, age and family/marital status.

This Is Our life's work

We believe a liberal arts degree prepares you for more than just a job. We teach you how to think creatively and critically, solve problems and cultivate social intelligence. Our students learn in seminar-style classes, conduct research with award-winning faculty and gain real-world experience through internships, study abroad programs and community service opportunities.

You will master important disciplines and enter the workforce with the ability to write, reason, analyze, pivot and boldly engage with the world around you. That’s why our graduates possess the essential skills and talents that employers value: critical thinking, creativity and confidence.

Make Your Declaration in a Major City

We offer 35 majors, 36 minors, 15 master’s degrees, 13 doctoral programs and endless Philadelphia possibilities.

Temple University is at the center of the action.

You have the unique opportunity to make Philadelphia your classroom while getting a world-class education. There is nothing the City of Brotherly Love doesn’t offer. Explore the Barnes Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. See a show at the Kimmel Center. Catch an Eagles game at the Linc. Savor incredible food—from cheesesteaks to donuts to decadent local and ethnic cuisine.