Course details

Summary

Take your study of geography to a higher level

With Massey’s Master of Arts (Geography) you can build on your undergraduate interest in geography and develop your critical research skills.

What is it Like?

A Master of Arts (Geography) prepares you to be a thoughtful and knowledgeable local and global citizen. You’ll develop important career skills in research, spatial analysis, and evidence-based examination of the pressing issues facing New Zealand and the world today.

Learn from a range of teaching methods

This diploma will allow you to investigate topics such as urbanisation, state restructuring, globalisation, geopolitics, agrifood, resource management and consumption. Your courses will help you gain a global perspective drawing from international case studies and examples, while maintaining a particular focus on New Zealand’s place in a changing world.

Complete your MA in three semesters

Massey’s Master of Arts is 180 credits. This means you can complete an MA in three semesters of full-time study.

Careers

With an MA (Geography) you can choose from a wide range of careers including:

• Conservation and environmental research
• Energy development
• Resource management
• Forestry
• Public service
• International development and diplomacy
• Local and regional councils
• Business and market research
• Teaching
• Tourism

Master of Arts (Geography) structure

Courses to the value of 180 credits consisting of 120 credits of taught courses and a Research Report (Coursework Pathway) or a combination of taught courses and a 90-120 credit-Thesis (Research Pathway) as outlined below.

At least a B grade average is required in the first 60 credits of courses completed in Part One for progression to Part Two - Coursework Pathway.

At least a B+ grade average is required in the first 60 credits of courses completed in Part One for progression to Part Two - Research Pathway.

Students who successfully complete Part One but do not meet the minimum grade average for progression will exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts.

This qualification may be awarded with Distinction or Merit.

Entry criteria

Admission to this programme is open to students who have:

• A completed BA degree with a major in Geography; or
• A completed Bachelor’s degree with a minor in Geography followed by a Graduate Certificate in Arts endorsed in Geography; or
• A completed Bachelor’s degree followed by a Graduate Diploma in Arts in Geography;

Students must achieve at least a B average in their 200 and 300-level Geography courses.

Students who have completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts, endorsed in Geography may be eligible for direct entry to part two of the Master of Arts:

• At least a B+ grade average is required for entry to the Research Pathway. A B grade average across the 700 level courses is required for entry to the Coursework Pathway.

English Language Requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT score of 90 overall (min 20 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 58 Overall (min 50 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 180