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Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Department of Geology and Geography
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Geography Graduate Program

Our program offers both Master’s and Doctoral degrees and a rigorous certificate program in Geographic Information Science.

Our graduate program is composed of a core geography faculty with expertise in the interdisciplinary subfields of: Human Geography, Environmental/Physical Geography, and GIScience and Geospatial Science.

WVU Geography faculty are engaged in local, regional and global research focused on human-environment relations, climate change, political geography, spatial science, machine learning and deep learning, digital humanities, forest ecosystem modeling, cultural and political ecologies, conservation science, feminist geography, science and technology studies, humanitarianism, land change science, critical cartographies, food justice, and development geography.

Our faculty and graduate students are currently conducting research in:

  • South Asia
  • South America, Central America, and the Caribbean
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • The Middle East
  • The United States, including Appalachia

Our department also houses the WVU Center for Resilient Communities and the WV GIS Technical Center, which offer assistantships, research, and service opportunities.

For more information about the Morgantown area, please visit the  City of Morgantown official web page.

To Apply


Geography at West Virginia University

Geography is a diverse and innovative field of study that bridges humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Geographers engage with the most pressing issues of our time, including global environmental change, social inequality and transformations of our economy, politics, ecology and culture in the shifting terrain of the 21st century. Our geographers are trained in cutting-edge approaches to understand and make a difference in our rapidly changing world. 

Our interdisciplinary learning environment featuring state-of-the-art computing and spatial analysis facilities offers students the chance to develop innovative research projects and learn valuable skills to help solve some of the major challenges facing our world today. 

The geography graduate program was designated a program of excellence by the WVU Board of Governors in 1998, 2003 and 2008.  This award is given to a small, select group of academic programs in universities in the state of West Virginia in recognition of their extensive and high quality contribution to higher education in the state. 

Graduate Resources 

WVU Office of Graduate Education and Life provides resources for incoming and current WVU graduate students. As a graduate student at WVU, you are a part of internationally recognized academic programs. You have access to expert mentors and advisors, funding opportunities, and the chance to conduct research and present your findings — all within a welcoming community.

The Geo Grad Group in the Department of Geology and Geography 

Within the Department of Geology and Geography, The  Geo Grad Group is an organization aimed at helping geography and geology graduate students, providing a platform where graduate students can come with issues they are facing and provide an official voice. GGG creates opportunities for graduates in geography and geology to interact with each other, faculty and related professionals. GGG provides fundraising and community service opportunities to provide additional travel funds for students attending academic conferences and events.

Funds for Current Graduate Students

The department, college and university fund geography graduate student research and scholarship through a variety of awards including: 

Additional support for graduate students is available through university-supported Provost Dissertation Funds and Outstanding Merit Fellowships.  For more information please visit  fellowships and scholarships.