Geography, B.A. or B.S. + M.A.
The Geography EDGE (Expedited Degrees in Graduate Education) program is intended to streamline access to our Master of Arts degree program for qualified and promising undergraduates. Students in the Beach EDGE Geography program will complete the requirements for both the B.A. or B.S. and M.A. degrees. Beach EDGE students in Geography may double-count a maximum of 12-units of electives towards both their B.A. or B.S. and M.A. degrees. These 12-units must be taken in residence at CSULB.
Advisor/Staff Contacts
Once an undergraduate has expressed interest in our Geography EDGE program, advising will be coordinated between the undergraduate and graduate advisors to discuss appropriate coursework. Upon acceptance to the M.A. program their advising will be switched to the Graduate Advisor.
Geography Undergraduate Advisor, Dr. Linna Li, Linna.Li@csulb.edu
Geography Graduate Advisor, Dr. Gary Hytrek, Gary.Hytrek@csulb.edu
Please visit the CSULB Catalog for B.A. and B.S. degree requirements.
The Geography M.A. consists of at least 30 units including core requirements (GEOG 596, GEOG 696 and a methods course), a minimum of two topical seminars, electives, and a thesis. A minimum of 21 units of the M.A. degree must be taken at the 500 or 600 level. For split level (400/500) classes, EDGE students should enroll in the 500-level section.
Eligibility & Admissions
- Matriculated undergraduate student at CSULB.
- Junior standing or higher.
- Meet major specific requirements per the CSULB Catalog for the B.A./B.S. or M.A. degree.
- The following core courses completed or in progress: GEOG 340, GEOG 360 and GEOG 380 (B.A.) and GEOG 300 (for B.S. students).
- CSULB Geography GPA of 3.0.
Meet CSULB eligibility for Graduate Studies.
Submit the following to Gary.Hytrek@csulb.edu by the application deadline (June 1 for Fall, Nov 1 for Spring)
- Program Application form.
- Unofficial Transcripts from CSULB and all universities/colleges where major-specific prerequisite courses were completed.
- The name and email of two referees, one of whom must be a CSULB Geography Department faculty member.
- Personal statement (approx. 2 pages) in which you address your research interests in Geography; your professional or personal goals in seeking a graduate degree; how your research interests relate to our core strengths and faculty expertise; and any special skills you have which you hope to build on in graduate studies.
- Writing Sample: Please submit a paper, report, or project that you feel best showcases your research and writing abilities and potential. Links to other material, if any, may be embedded in your document.
Current resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
November 1st (spring semester enrollment)
June 1st (for fall semester enrollment)
Admitted Students can learn more by visiting Beach EDGE
Students in the Geography EDGE Program may select up to 12 units from a list of electives to be double counted and applied toward the M.A. degree. For split level (400/500) elective classes, EDGE students should enroll in the 500-level section for the elective to count. These 12 units must be completed in residence at CSULB. GEOG 596 may be taken with senior status and Graduate Advisor consent. Courses excluded from double-counting include GEOG 600-level seminars (GEOG 600, GEOG 640, GEOG 650, GEOG 666 and GEOG 680), GEOG 696, and GEOG 698 thesis units. These courses will be taken once EDGE students are matriculated into the graduate program.
The following is a sample roadmap for a fall Geography EDGE admitted student. Spring Admits will require additional advising.
| 4-year B.A. and 4-Year B.S. |
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
Summer |
Fall |
| Completed B.A. (39 units) or
B.S. (46-53 units)
12-units of electives taken at the 500-level to be counted in the M.A. degree |
Geography 596
Seminar and/or elective
(6-9 units) |
Geography 696,
additional Seminar, methods or electives as needed.
1. Proposal completed.
2. Committee Approved
3. Advanced to Candidacy.
4. IRB, if needed
(3-6 units as needed) |
Fieldwork, data collection, and data analysis |
Geography 698
(6 units)
1. Committee approval of completed thesis.
2. Thesis submitted to CLA by stated deadline. |
